IBfootballer

I'm looking at academically strong DIII schools and hoping to play football. My stats put me at the top of the recruiting pool academically (3.6 UW, 2290, ~11 APs, full IB diplomma programme). I've talked to some coaches and they said that I'm competitive to get into some of these schools im looking at on my own merits.

Competitive. I'm assuming that means not especially good chances, which is an accurate assessment for the schools I'm looking for.

Given that I'm at the top of the academic pool, not at the top of the athletic pool, and could likely get in on my own merits, I'm guessing that coaches aren't going to want to use one of their precious recruiting spots on me.

My question is, do coaches have the ability to tip admissions in my favour without using a recruit spot?

mpicz

Yes they can do that. But I would do everything possible to get a likely letter or w.e DIII schools offer securing your spot. Have you been invited on an official visit?

Just out of curiosity, what position do you play?

IBfootballer

I've been doing the visiting mostly on my own. I've gotten in contact with coaches and told them that I'm interested in applying. I'll be sending tape and stuff after my season.
I play OL/DL. 6'3" 265.

Again, I'd be surprised if I were actually recruited. I'm just wondering if coaches can say "I want Joe Schmoe, Billy Bob, etc, and if you look at IBfootballer here, he's got good stats and all, and it would be good if he got in."

I don't think i need football to get into these schools, but it would sure as hell help.

mpicz

Yea, coaches can do that, just ask them if they are willing to give you a tip in admissions (different schools use different lingo). Havent been through recruiting process, but my older siblings have.

Cool, I play FS, only sophomore though, 6'0 180

ImCrazy

6'0 180 soph? If you're fast you better work hard and play at the next level.

IB, coaches can give tips which will help you in admissions a little more. Good luck

IBfootballer

alright.

just for reference, should anyone else give me advice, im talking about NESCAC and UAA schools.

FauxNom

If you have time, look at the library for Bowen's "Reclaiming the Game." It's a comprehensive study of the academic/athletic gap at elite colleges, which is interesting in itself. But for your purposes, it contains a couple chapters that explain in great detail how recruiting works in those 2 leagues (plus Ivies and a handful of elite LACs not in the nescac or uaa). It will give you some great insights into your situation. In brief, the nescac seems to have a fairly formal system of tips for recruited athletes. In contrast, the uaa colleges appear to recruit vigorously to get admissible student athletes to apply, but coaches don't have specific slots that they get to fill at will. The final list from a coach might influence admissions a bit, but the coaches claim no control over the process. You could also search college newspapers to learn more (U of Chicago actually has excellent sports coverage, and has done articles on the recruiting process.)

Although the UAA is less aggressive about tips and such, at least some of these colleges invite recruits on official, paid visits. So if there's a coach you've been talking to, you might just want to ask if they do official visits, how many students they bring in for those visits, and whether there's a chance you could be considered for one. What have you got to lose? If the coaches are saying you can get in on your own, that may be a nice way of saying you're not one of their top prospects. But you never know until you ask directly. The coach won't hold it against you if you ask a direct question that helps you ascertain where you stand. In fact, he will likely really admire it as a gutsy move.

EMM1

I know from experience that the claim that UAA coaches only help "a bit" in admissions is an outright lie. Indeed, I have good reason to believe that CMU in particular cheats on scholarships.

EMM1

I should be clear that the term "outright lie" is not a reference to Fauxnom, but rather to the claims of the schools themselves.