Reliability of Likely Letters - Page 3

MaineLonghorn · 10-20-2009, 12:01 PM

Yes, persistence pays off! S had e-mailed Rice several times and not gotten a response. I told him to give them a call, because it couldn't hurt. When he did, he was surprised at how interested the coach was, and that he knew S's stats immediately (probably had it in a computer file, but it was still impressive). Maybe that's a filter these schools use - does the student REALLY want to compete for us?

riverrunner · 10-20-2009, 02:23 PM

In support of this self-recruiting/promoting notion: we live across the country from the school my child eventually was recruited to play for. We made a driving tour of the schools she was interested in during her junior year spring break. I'm sure this communicated to many coaches that she was serious about switching coasts for college, and knew what she was signing on for. Coaches have limited hours in the day (like the rest of us!) and will spend their recruiting time and money on kids who fit the athletic and academic profile they are looking for AND demonstrate true enthusiasm for and knowledge of the school and the team.

OldbatesieDoc · 10-20-2009, 03:58 PM

Right, it clearly won't just happen...I also want to thank everyone who has helped calm this concerned parent's frayed nerves...We have lots of good options, and we're very fortunate.
I want to let all those "prospie" parents know that if your child likes their sport and is above average, D3 is waiting for you. But they need to hear from you. My son has gotten a great inside look at the 7 colleges he contacted-overnight visits, more individual attention, and a better feel for the colleges-than his genius non-athletic older brother ever got. He can really make an informed choice. So my thought would be even if you aren't sure if you are "recruitable" give it a try. It can only help.

fogfog · 10-28-2009, 02:07 PM

This is all great information--as a parent of a DS Jr..student athlete--

We are just beginning this journey. We visited some schools back in March- and will do more this March, he has his NCAA # and is also using a recruiting website profile. He sent an inital letter of interest/resume with photo to coaches ..( a sort of "I know we can't speak until after July 1 but wanted you to know of my interest in X school and the team"...)

He got a couple of emails from coaches right away...

OldbatesieDoc · 10-29-2009, 04:32 PM

From looking at some of your other posts, fogfog, and having been visiting some of the same colleges, I seriously suggest you consider St Olaf. It is a great, underrated school with MERIT aid. I literally dragged my son there, because he hated the name, and it is now in his top 5 with Williams, Middlebury, Carleton and Macalaster. He is planning a science/premed major and is being recruited for sports.

fogfog · 10-29-2009, 05:00 PM

Thanks for the tip Old..Doc.

When you get down to it--and cross reference a students academic interest and sport..the list gets MUCH smaller. Add to that the culture or ethos he'd like to be part of...it gets even smaller.

Thankful a friend sent me a thread on this site...hadn't heard of it before 2 days ago LOL

OldbatesieDoc · 10-29-2009, 05:02 PM

I did a visit report-I can private post you or we can move to St Olaf on the colleges thread if you have questions. I am not an alum, obviously.

keylyme · 10-29-2009, 10:56 PM

My son's list remains very large (40+); he is completely undecided as to a possible academic interest.

fogfog · 10-30-2009, 12:17 PM

Our DS wants
engineering (or applied physical sciences if the school doesn't have engineering..)
His sport - decent facilities since he will be there 6 days a week
Not interested in far west so East Coast
Not interested in our big state U s
Not too small a town where the kids make thier own fun getting hammered every weekend because there isn't enough to do

we have about 40 on the list but when we strictly apply te above, we're quickly down to about 20, and a couple other things...down again...
so PSATs arrived in what, Dec?

we'll see what is within his range.

fauve · 10-30-2009, 05:48 PM

While PSATS will give an indication of predicted SATS, some SAT takers stay at the same level, a few decline. Remember to have him take his Subject Tests at the end of junior year. Five SATs (I's and II's) in the mid 700s is a comfortable range for MIT & Ivies.

MaineLonghorn · 10-30-2009, 07:23 PM

DS was the rare one who improved a LOT on the SAT over the PSAT. Thank goodnes! Went from a 196 on the PSAT to a 2220 on the SAT.

I didn't even know about the SAT subject tests last year! I'll know for the next two kids, at least.

fogfog · 11-02-2009, 12:45 PM

Thanks
He plans to do the subject tests this spring--as they follow the APs etc. So after all that prep--best to do them right away.
He will also prep some for the SAT, and take that for the first time (since 7th grade TIP program)...

keylyme · 11-02-2009, 12:56 PM

Highly recruited Ivy athletes don't need to stress so much about SAT scores. Of course you want to do the best you can, but I know in many sports (including my son's which is not a super high profile like football or ice hockey), an 1800 is the bar they set. My son has a club teammate being recruited by Harvard (he also attends a private school....not one of the elite bs mentioned here, but a Boston area day school), and they told him the minimum for him (soccer) was 1800.

fauve · 11-02-2009, 03:12 PM

However, an athlete does not know if he is a top recruit until s/he is in the middle of the recruiting "dance". High SATs will help them with admissions if they are only "supported" and not on the top of the coach's list. Also for a school like D3 MIT, he'll need top scores, no matter what sport.

ihs76 · 11-02-2009, 04:32 PM

fauve, if a student has scores/grades/transcript that is at least average for a school like MIT, and a coaches strong support, do you think that would be enough to get them accepted?