fauve

Correct, Likely Letters are Ivy DI devices, created to compete with non-Ivy early offers of athletic scolarships and positions on teams.

mayhew

Thank you for helping me understand the whole letter process - I suppose the timing of it all works itself out in some way....

FauxNom: Thank you for the book recommendation - a funny coincidence as I had it shipped to me today!

These athletic recruiting threads are so helpful and informative - it is like another world in regards to college admissions, and a whole other experience, it seems. I told my D that I feel as if we are in the HOV lane in relation to college .... at least I hope that it continues in the same spirit that is has begun for her - positive and encouraging. Not that I want to accelerate time, but I do look forward to a year from now, her senior fall, just in terms of my curiosity in how it will all end up for her....fingers crossed!

fogfog

Well-the update is our friend's student chose a non ivy over the ivy...
Comparing what schools could offer and what the requirements were to maintain aid etc...they felt more comfortable with the non ivy.
All the schools in the hunt were excellent. The student will be happy. The result surprised us because the parents had said the student had pretty much decided on one of the ivy schools ...the fin aid thing was the deciding factor.

fogfog

Just bought Playing the Game--
hopefully will give us a roadmap

mayhew

I found Playing the Game to be really interesting. Although it does focus on mostly revenue oriented sports, a lot of the information could be applied across the board. Doing all this "due dilligence" makes me feel somewhat useful as this process is not about us parents, and is so beyond our control - !

fogfog

Mayhew

You are sooo right.

We want our DC to see their options and choose for themselves...but it is like throwing them to the lions in that they are talking with adults and looking at programs...often not know what to ask and what they don't know...kwim?

If I/we learn a few things here and there--from experiencced parents/authors etc...then its worth the time.

College admissions has changed quite a bit in the many yrs since I did this--
I feel a little behind because of parents who have been through it before--whereas this DS is our eldest. Also--I have seen AdCom people here who have posted corrections to what parents say...which is also helpful

DS's sport is not a revenue maker--either.

mayhew

Fogfog - Regarding post #13, you are right to be worried about delay tactics. Today, I heard of a boy who last year did lose his chance with his #1 choice (HYP) due to the advice of a paid "agent". He put off this #1 choice when they did offer him a spot on their revenue-raising team as the "agent" told him to wait and get all his offers in first. This boy is a star player now at another ivy, but really regrets delaying committing to what was his #1 choice. Since $ was not an issue, I can't begin to understand putting off an offer from your absolute first choice (unless the agent wanted the ego-thill of a long list of offers to boast about for his own resume...?).