TheGFG

Coaches of even small programs receive nearly a thousand e-mails from prospective athletes. Imagine how many the larger schools receive! Therefore, self-promotion is key and e-mails may not be enough. My D first researched schools to come up with a list of those which were appropriate both academically and athletically. She then planned unofficial visits to those schools, and participated in the regular campus tour and info. session. She also always set up an appointment to meet with the coach while there. Once on their radar, she started sending occasional e-mails to update them on significant accomplishments, including her SAT scores. This got the ball rolling, and then the process looked more like the list above.

One note: beginning sophomore year she had been receiving recruiting mail sent to her high school for her. She filled out a few of these questionnaires, but not many. In general, the schools that contacted her this way were not the top programs either athletically or academically. If she had just relied on these schools as a starting point, she would probably not have the terrrific options she now does. We can't know how many of the schools on her current short list would have pursued her if she hadn't pursued them first, but I'm guessing some wouldn't have.

EMM1

The ONLY truly reliable indication that the coach is committed is when the offer actually hits the table (either for a scholarship or support in the admissions process).

MJP2558

Hey Everyone, I posted this for a starting point, it is not meant to be the recruiting bible.
Naturally it depends on the sport, and in the begiining of the process naturally self promotion is a major component so any coach can find out that you exist.

Again this was posted for recruits and or parents as a general guidline.

The D1 and D2 is almost always cut and dry based on the level of athletics and NCAA rules.

D3 can become very confusing depending on the sport, level of D3 competition, and recruiting timeframes. Keep in mind that some of the more competitive schools D3 programs (based on acedmic scholarship availability) do recruit and secure D1 and D2 athletes.

fogfog

Don't know the NCAA rules for all sports--but do all potential recruits face the same
no coach initiated contact before July 1 after Jr yr...?

I know of kids who by spring of their Jr yr "knew" where they were going because of that particular sport...so the formality and pre-read was largely finished by mid summer...
which surprised me.

Since DS doens't have SATs and a completed jr yr transcript yet--we weren't going to have him completely college online forms until later. Should we start now?
(even if stats still have to be supplied later?)

sherpa

fogfog - Encourage DS to take SAT and/or ACT in December; then he'll be in position to do unofficial visits in spring with scores in hand and hopefully receive offers of support.

Good luck to him.

MJP2558

fogfog: Yes your DS can start the process without test scores. I highly recommend it. My son started in his Junior year and it made a big difference. I think the recruits gain insight and valuable experience while moving through the process. Depending on the sport or level, your DS will be emailing, writing, calling, and meeting with coaches, your DS will also be invited to overnights during his Senior year. Based on experience it can be an overwhelming experience for some parents and students, preperation and organization can keep the stress to a minimum.

My experience is that every recruit who wants to play a sport in college needs to start the overall process in their Junior year. Start by going on college websites that you feel are a good match for both academics and athletics and complete their recruiting form. It is pretty much the standard, it let's college coaches know who you are and that you are interested in thier school and program. You should receive a follow-up email or standard reply letter based on their preliminary interest from review of the information supplied on the recruiting form. If both parties stay interested the process of communications, meetings, and visits, takes place during your Junior and Senior year (depending on the school and division).

Good Luck.

mayhew

Great advice - thank you. My D, a junior, is filling out those recruiting forms now with no academic stats to fill in (SAT,SAT IIs, Junior GPA) - she is taking the SAT early so she can add that to the forms sooner rather than later, and we will see if interest is maintained...! At least the student is on the radar, even before relevant academic info comes into play, right?

MJP2558

mayhew: Yes, it is critical to start the process early. It is a process, so if coaches are interested academic information will transpire as it becomes available. My son is a Senior and he went through the exact same situation. The key is to keep the line of communication open with all coaches and make sure they know your D is interested in thier program. The process is pretty fluid with new opportunities created by participating in recruiting events through-out the summer between her Junior and Senior year (if she plays a team sport.).

ihs76

For the sake of new parents coming onto this forum and to not scare them into thinking they've already missed the boat, I would suggest that we hedge on such blanket statements. I agree that for many high profile sports/recruits this is very true. But as I've detailed elsewhere, it is not true for many in smaller programs/lower profile sports. And while these latter group will not result in Likely Letters or public LOI signings, some of these coaches can provide significant admissions boost to top schools.

One coach at a T10 school told us he'd had 19 contacts from prospies and that was a lot more than he had gotten in the past. Our first contact with him was in sept of Sr year and he is supporting DS's EA app. He certainly led us to believe that he has fair amount of pull with admissions.

MaineLonghorn

It was the Muhlenberg XC/Track coach who told me he'd gotten almost 800 online questionnaires from prospective athletes filled out this year. That school has fewer than 2,000 students.

mayhew

MP2558, Thanks - it does sound as if you were in this similar situation. D has registered with NCAA, etc. and will just fill in information as it comes available for academics, scores and sport accomplishments. Sounds as if she was right to get the ball rolling in October of her junior year (for a visible but non-revenue D1 sport). I imagine her giving all interested coaches updates when there is anything worth passing on to them will show her continued interest in their program. How did everything progress for your son (now that he is no longer a junior)?

MaineLonghorn - Wow - it is good to keep those kind of numbers in mind to just be reminded of just how highly competitive this process is - helps to keep everything in perspective - !

MJP2558

mayhew: My son completed his initial visits to the lower tier D1 and high end D2 schools in August and September. Based on the academic profiles of the schools and their athletic programs he decided that D1 and or D2 was not for him. His sport Lacrosse is typically not a big revenue sport at most D1 and D2 schools if you do your research. So scholarship money is tight and only a chosen few get a full ride, most get a small portion of the 12.5 scholarships available per team. They try to make up the difference with academic merrit, and or financial aide packages. My son also felt that the year round commitment was a little much as well as the 4 year graduation rate at the schools he was recruited by. He has opted to apply and play at a very well known D3 LAC, the program will allow him to study abroad and persue other interests that college has to offer while still playing his sport. If academically qualified most of the competitive D3 programs are very excited to get a high calibur athlete that can become an impact player as a fresman. Remember D3 schools do not give athletic scholarships, but I can attest that if the coach wants you son or duaghter at their school the merit usually can meets or exceed D1 or D2 scholarship money.

MJP2558

CC Users: Sorry for the typos in my last post, I was trying to respond during work (do not worry I work for myself) while trying to do three things at once.