Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 11:49     Subject: Re:HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
I can only speak to lacrosse but in that case college coaches start tracking players during Sophomore year. D1 coaches reach out to high school and club coaches over the summer before Junior year to express interest. Ivy and high academic schools ask for transcripts for high interest players to make sure they are in the ballpark of consideration but it is a different admissions standard--A's and a few B's allowed, demonstrated rigor with AP and/or high level classes at schools that no longer offer APs. Most Ivy's currently test optional so not requiring standardized testing. Coaches reach out to players starting 9/1 and make offers for commitment spots. Once accepted athletes announce their commitments but they still need to go through the application process the following fall. Expected to apply ED or EA and applications are often due before the standard early date as the admissions department processes these separately. Athlete receives "Likely" letter stating that if they continue to perform they will likely be accepted in December. If there is a major screw up on the student's part they can be "de-commited" by the coach but it happens very infrequently as it is a bad look for that program. Much more often a player decommits because they come across a better opportunity at a different school during that year period but that is also fairly rare. I won't weigh in on whether this is fair or not--if you are lucky enough to be a naturally talented athlete and you work very very hard to make the most of that talent you can turn that into your hook to get into a better college than you would otherwise. But then again that is what everyone with a hook is trying to do.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 11:49     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of two juniors, already commited to HYP (not stating which) for sports. Yes, grades need to be kept up, but still! I agree, it’s not fair.


There are two sides to this...obviously it is good to know that as long as you hit minimum academic standards and your performance is good, you basically are admitted. However, you now effectively cut off discussions with other schools.

Your commitment is often-times based on your projectability as an athlete, so even if you are perfectly healthy, a coach may decide that you did not progress according to their plan between 11th and 12th grade and they decide to de-commit to you and go with somebody else.


My DS plays a sport at a D3 school and we've crossed paths with multiple students who have gone through the recruitment process.

I know someone that verbally committed to a top academic school (top 25 in most polls) in the fall of his freshman (yes, 9th grade) of high school. So the school obviously didn't care that much about his grades since he really didn't have any.

He didn't progress as expected and in the summer going into his senior year, the coach told him "sorry, we don't have a spot for you." I don't know if the family was expecting it, but all of a sudden he had to scramble and find another school. He did land another opportunity - a decent school but no where near the top 25 in the country.

Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 11:47     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.


I student might say "I am committed", but Ivy offers their spaces through the likely letter process in the fall of Senior Year. Those kids are lying.


This
But I would not go as far as saying that "those kids are lying". They are perhaps more embellishing or focusing on the positive as they say.
Attended an NCAA seminar with solid DI team coaches and even they warned that kids in these situations will talk as if they are all set on a college team roster when they are not there yet. Parents too.
Do not believe everything you hear
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 11:06     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have a kid going through this right now. Potential to "commit" to an Ivy.

The people saying it's not a done deal are totally right. From the athlete's perspective, it's a commitment to prioritize the school over others. From the coach's perspective, it's a commitment to support the athlete. It is not binding. Neither wants to break it off though - not a good look for either party, but consequences aren't necessarily severe. For each, it means having to start over having somewhat exclusively dated someone for a period of time.

For Ivy League, academic standards are generally upheld. That is based on the academic index, which is unique to the Ivy League. An individual athlete might fall below the average for the class, but the team and/or all athletes need to average the same as the class. So you can't have people way below it. Non Ivy League schools will have wider variance from the average.

I used to think this was all unfair. And I still do in that it takes place Junior year vs. Senior year (although again it's not a done deal until Senior year, so in reality it's just a longer process). But, I also feel a little differently having watched my DC over the past many years. They have worked very hard in both athletics and academics. They have had to give up some things, especially their time, and not do some things other teens do. If they get into an Ivy League school, they're not simply getting in because they're an athlete. Academically they're in the pool - they're eligible for the "lottery ticket." The fact that the school needs someone for their position gives them an advantage, yes, but they're not unqualified.

I do recognize that this is a major equity issue though. We were able to pay for the athletics. DC was also able to not work (except in summers) in order to pursue the athletics. DC didn't have to use time after school to work part time or take care of siblings the way many teens do. This part is not fair. Some sports are worse for this than others - sports heavily supported by school districts are more equitable in this regard.


With the transfer portal...there really is no "bad" look anymore. Ivy coaches are looking at the portal just like anyone, so you will see some high academic D3s who performed well in college transferring over to Ivy schools. Ivy league schools at least generally have the luxury that their players are probably not strong enough to play at say Duke or Stanford...and their players are not generally going to transfer to a D3 (no remotely serious athlete transfers from D1 to D3) or even another D1 like Georgetown because they know they aren't going pro, so their overall career prospects are better staying put.

In my kid's sport (baseball), we are seeing commits and de-commits constantly. I don't think anyone thinks it is a good or bad look.


It really depends on the sport. I'd expect Ivy teams in sports where other D1 schools offer scholarships to get raided on occasion.


Maybe...but remember the Ivy is meeting all financial need and your aid is not dependent on playing the sport. In that instance, the athlete may get more aid from an Ivy than another D1 school that is offering merely a partial sports scholarship (which is also tied to continuing to play).
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 11:04     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have a kid going through this right now. Potential to "commit" to an Ivy.

The people saying it's not a done deal are totally right. From the athlete's perspective, it's a commitment to prioritize the school over others. From the coach's perspective, it's a commitment to support the athlete. It is not binding. Neither wants to break it off though - not a good look for either party, but consequences aren't necessarily severe. For each, it means having to start over having somewhat exclusively dated someone for a period of time.

For Ivy League, academic standards are generally upheld. That is based on the academic index, which is unique to the Ivy League. An individual athlete might fall below the average for the class, but the team and/or all athletes need to average the same as the class. So you can't have people way below it. Non Ivy League schools will have wider variance from the average.

I used to think this was all unfair. And I still do in that it takes place Junior year vs. Senior year (although again it's not a done deal until Senior year, so in reality it's just a longer process). But, I also feel a little differently having watched my DC over the past many years. They have worked very hard in both athletics and academics. They have had to give up some things, especially their time, and not do some things other teens do. If they get into an Ivy League school, they're not simply getting in because they're an athlete. Academically they're in the pool - they're eligible for the "lottery ticket." The fact that the school needs someone for their position gives them an advantage, yes, but they're not unqualified.

I do recognize that this is a major equity issue though. We were able to pay for the athletics. DC was also able to not work (except in summers) in order to pursue the athletics. DC didn't have to use time after school to work part time or take care of siblings the way many teens do. This part is not fair. Some sports are worse for this than others - sports heavily supported by school districts are more equitable in this regard.


With the transfer portal...there really is no "bad" look anymore. Ivy coaches are looking at the portal just like anyone, so you will see some high academic D3s who performed well in college transferring over to Ivy schools. Ivy league schools at least generally have the luxury that their players are probably not strong enough to play at say Duke or Stanford...and their players are not generally going to transfer to a D3 (no remotely serious athlete transfers from D1 to D3) or even another D1 like Georgetown because they know they aren't going pro, so their overall career prospects are better staying put.

In my kid's sport (baseball), we are seeing commits and de-commits constantly. I don't think anyone thinks it is a good or bad look.


It really depends on the sport. I'd expect Ivy teams in sports where other D1 schools offer scholarships to get raided on occasion.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 11:03     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.


I student might say "I am committed", but Ivy offers their spaces through the likely letter process in the fall of Senior Year. Those kids are lying.

+50% I think the kids are "misinformed". A school really wants and if admissions approves, we have a spot for you. Some schools have a number of places for athletes. At some schools coaches endorse admission to various degrees.


Ivy league recruiting is starting to look more-and-more like "traditional" D1 recruiting. From an academic standpoint, it is more "meet these minimum" standards. If you are truly being recruited, then yes the coaching staff is offering you a real verbal commitment just like if you were committing to Duke or Stanford.

This is unlike say MIT where there is still a fairly significant chance you are rejected (say 50%...which is still better than the 95% chance of normal applicants) even though the coach has you on their recruited list and you do well in the pre-read.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 10:55     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:I have a kid going through this right now. Potential to "commit" to an Ivy.

The people saying it's not a done deal are totally right. From the athlete's perspective, it's a commitment to prioritize the school over others. From the coach's perspective, it's a commitment to support the athlete. It is not binding. Neither wants to break it off though - not a good look for either party, but consequences aren't necessarily severe. For each, it means having to start over having somewhat exclusively dated someone for a period of time.

For Ivy League, academic standards are generally upheld. That is based on the academic index, which is unique to the Ivy League. An individual athlete might fall below the average for the class, but the team and/or all athletes need to average the same as the class. So you can't have people way below it. Non Ivy League schools will have wider variance from the average.

I used to think this was all unfair. And I still do in that it takes place Junior year vs. Senior year (although again it's not a done deal until Senior year, so in reality it's just a longer process). But, I also feel a little differently having watched my DC over the past many years. They have worked very hard in both athletics and academics. They have had to give up some things, especially their time, and not do some things other teens do. If they get into an Ivy League school, they're not simply getting in because they're an athlete. Academically they're in the pool - they're eligible for the "lottery ticket." The fact that the school needs someone for their position gives them an advantage, yes, but they're not unqualified.

I do recognize that this is a major equity issue though. We were able to pay for the athletics. DC was also able to not work (except in summers) in order to pursue the athletics. DC didn't have to use time after school to work part time or take care of siblings the way many teens do. This part is not fair. Some sports are worse for this than others - sports heavily supported by school districts are more equitable in this regard.


With the transfer portal...there really is no "bad" look anymore. Ivy coaches are looking at the portal just like anyone, so you will see some high academic D3s who performed well in college transferring over to Ivy schools. Ivy league schools at least generally have the luxury that their players are probably not strong enough to play at say Duke or Stanford...and their players are not generally going to transfer to a D3 (no remotely serious athlete transfers from D1 to D3) or even another D1 like Georgetown because they know they aren't going pro, so their overall career prospects are better staying put.

In my kid's sport (baseball), we are seeing commits and de-commits constantly. I don't think anyone thinks it is a good or bad look.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 10:50     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.


I student might say "I am committed", but Ivy offers their spaces through the likely letter process in the fall of Senior Year. Those kids are lying.


Not for womens soccer. Young folks can "verbally commit" to any school. And yes, they will likely get in if they keep playing well whether or not they take SATS. My dd never wrote one essay, took the ACT for fun and was in at an IVY with a 28.


Which school? The players who I know at Ivy's still had to get a 1500 SAT. One was struggling (think she ended up with a 1480) and couldn't pass the pre-read
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 10:46     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.


I student might say "I am committed", but Ivy offers their spaces through the likely letter process in the fall of Senior Year. Those kids are lying.

+50% I think the kids are "misinformed". A school really wants and if admissions approves, we have a spot for you. Some schools have a number of places for athletes. At some schools coaches endorse admission to various degrees.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 10:41     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.


I student might say "I am committed", but Ivy offers their spaces through the likely letter process in the fall of Senior Year. Those kids are lying.


Not for womens soccer. Young folks can "verbally commit" to any school. And yes, they will likely get in if they keep playing well whether or not they take SATS. My dd never wrote one essay, took the ACT for fun and was in at an IVY with a 28.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 10:38     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
I have a kid going through this right now. Potential to "commit" to an Ivy.

The people saying it's not a done deal are totally right. From the athlete's perspective, it's a commitment to prioritize the school over others. From the coach's perspective, it's a commitment to support the athlete. It is not binding. Neither wants to break it off though - not a good look for either party, but consequences aren't necessarily severe. For each, it means having to start over having somewhat exclusively dated someone for a period of time.

For Ivy League, academic standards are generally upheld. That is based on the academic index, which is unique to the Ivy League. An individual athlete might fall below the average for the class, but the team and/or all athletes need to average the same as the class. So you can't have people way below it. Non Ivy League schools will have wider variance from the average.

I used to think this was all unfair. And I still do in that it takes place Junior year vs. Senior year (although again it's not a done deal until Senior year, so in reality it's just a longer process). But, I also feel a little differently having watched my DC over the past many years. They have worked very hard in both athletics and academics. They have had to give up some things, especially their time, and not do some things other teens do. If they get into an Ivy League school, they're not simply getting in because they're an athlete. Academically they're in the pool - they're eligible for the "lottery ticket." The fact that the school needs someone for their position gives them an advantage, yes, but they're not unqualified.

I do recognize that this is a major equity issue though. We were able to pay for the athletics. DC was also able to not work (except in summers) in order to pursue the athletics. DC didn't have to use time after school to work part time or take care of siblings the way many teens do. This part is not fair. Some sports are worse for this than others - sports heavily supported by school districts are more equitable in this regard.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 10:27     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
LAX it is 🙄
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 10:22     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
https://gocrimson.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster

Wow, looks like a real cross section of America.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 10:19     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.


I student might say "I am committed", but Ivy offers their spaces through the likely letter process in the fall of Senior Year. Those kids are lying.


They’re not lying. The norm is to announce verbal commitments which is what these are, and coaches get feedback from admissions long before the likely letters come through.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 10:16     Subject: HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools
Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.


They do have to have submitted strong SATs to get the offer. And if rigor or grades aren’t maintained (or the sports performance drops, or the coach leaves, or they find someone better) the offer can be pulled.