Soft Support in Ivy Athletics?

c0llegestress84 · November 2019

I just applied ED to Brown with the promise of "soft support" or a "tag" from a head athletic coach (NOT likely letter or full supported "slot"). Anyone have any idea what this means? Does it help at all or is it just lip service? Thanks!

(EDIT: originally posted this in the Ivy League forum, just now moved it over here)

Mwfan1921 · November 2019

Have you had an academic pre-read?

The coach is your best source of info.....have you asked him/her what proportion of the recruits he/she has offered soft support have been accepted in ED?

c0llegestress84 · November 2019

No academic pre-read; I've asked the coach and he's said that people have "gotten in in the past (including one last year) but never gave me an exact number. From what I understand it's like "if we've deciding between two people we'll choose you" but I still don't really get how that works in practice?

twoinanddone · November 2019

Are you applying ED? Other than that (taking this as your ED school) what would you change if the coach said something different than ^^ ? Soft support is better than no support, but it still isn't much help. If she has another school she likes better or has coach's support, that might be more of possibility. If she doesn't, you aren't giving up anything by trying for Brown.

I think it is as you said, if she's in the pool with all the other qualified applicants, her application has a little corner sticking up with the hopes it will get picked.

politeperson · November 2019

There have been several discussions here about whether soft support exists at Ivies or is just something coaches throw out to entice additional applicants. I think most veteran posters here think that it doesn’t exist, or at least can’t be counted on in any predictable way. That’s what I believe based on discussions with two Ivy coaches I trust. But some others have heard that particular coaches can sometimes have influence beyond likely letter slots so it is possible.

As suggested, the coach is going to know best. I would have asked how many applicants he has given soft support to in the last few years and how many of those with similar stats to yours were admitted. It’s not helpful to know the numerator without knowing the denominator. In any case, it sounds like you’ve already decided so best of luck on this and you’ll have time to adjust for the RD round if it doesn’t work out. Brown is a great place, but if you’re a competitive applicant there you’ll have no trouble finding other great options if needed.

c0llegestress84 · November 2019

That's all super helpful, thanks a ton! Brown's totally my #1 and a better school than other offers I got (GW, UCs, etc, schools where I can probably get in based off my academics alone) so I just decided to go for it ED. Here's hoping!!!

moreadviceplease · November 2019

Be sure to get your applications in order for your backup schools and be prepared to send them off for regular decision in the event you are rejected or deferred to regular decision.
My athlete applied ED to an ivy with soft support. Athlete kept hope alive through being deferred to regular decision and then athlete was waitlisted before finally being rejected very late in the spring. Athlete regretted not pursuing alternatives more aggressively in regular decision. It is very hard to get enthused about backups while holding on to hope for your #1 choice, but you should definitely attempt to fall in love with alternatives. Also, be sure you have some safety alternatives where you would be really happy competing.

gointhruaphase · November 2019

@moreadviceplease, This is an oft-repeated story. I wonder whether it wouldn't be better if colleges did not defer ED applications (either reject or admit). Deferrals may be "soft-rejections," but they do keep the hope alive in a way that seems unfair. I hope that all worked out in the end.

gardenstategal · November 2019

@gointhruaphase , I agree. But my kid was admitted after a deferral.... Sent additional materials that perhaps made the application stronger? So it isn't always a soft rejection.

moreadviceplease · November 2019

@gardenstategal My athlete also sent in additional material following deferral, which probably helped get a waitlist spot at regular decision, but there are simply more quality candidates than spots at top schools.
My advice is to be prepared to apply regular decision to additional (affordable) schools where you'd be genuinely excited to attend.

gardenstategal · November 2019

I agree, @moreadviceplease , that a deferral definitely means you should move on, get other apps out there, and realize that you probably will not get into that school. In fact, odds are probably against being accepted in the RD round.

But in some cases, the news in the RD round is positive. Because that chain of events (deferral to acceptance) is less common, it has sort of been accepted here that a deferral will lead to a rejection or an unresolved WL spot. And that, while likely, is not a guarantee.

Which is why the schools don't simply reject everyone they don't accept! (Although yes, they really do string along way too many!)

mamom · November 2019

Are you being recruited by any schools? If yes, I would reach out to those schools and tell them you are applying ED1 to XXX School. Ask them if you do not get accepted to XXX school if they would support your app ED2 to their school. My D was a recruited athlete (not ivy) who once she told the other coaches where she was applying ED1 to told her to reach out to them if she did not get in and if they still had open positions would support her app ED2. D got into her first choice school so she did not reach out but this is a game of musical chairs.

Soft Support in Ivy Athletics?

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