Yep. Is your S committed elsewhere?
Happens every year. Coaches move to the ânext in lineâ.
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I donât think Oct is that late in the process. Kids will be changing their minds into the spring. There is still a lot of shuffling to happen before Sept 2025 term starts.
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This is less true when ED and/or selective schools are involved. This may or may not be the case here.
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I just want to add that this is not always because the athlete walked. Sometimes it is because the athlete with the offer failed to meet the academic standards⊠say, in a last chance October SAT test, not doing well in Sr year classes, or falling to maintain rigor/not clearing schedule with the coach.
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[quote=âTonyGrace, post:304, topic:3513145â]
This is less true when ED and/or selective schools are involved.
[/quote]But itâs Oct, so no ED binding acceptances yet.
You said kids will be changing their mind into the spring. we are discussing a â25. Anyone who is changing their mind in the spring will need to have unhooked acceptances in hand.
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Or they could just get released from the ED commitment by claiming (true or not) that they canât afford the school. The OP asked about a decommit right now, and no one has an ED acceptance yet. I still believe there are decommits right up to the end and even some who decide not to go to college in the summer melt. Itâs all big fun committing now to play a sport, but things change. Some of the NESCAC commits right now may get a D1 offer before the ED deadlines, or that they were going to apply ED2. There is a thread that says the Williams AO suggest not applying ED but regular decision, so who knows.
I donât think the numbers decommiting are large, but there are some, and it seems at every school.
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No but he played well in front of and had some good interaction with this coach during the process, including at their prospect camp. He would do ED there if slot but not without. Since the coach was checking on ED status and not making an offer, trying to figure out how to proceed.
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It sounds like the coach is wanting to know if your son has committed to applying to ED elsewhere to possibly offer him a slot if he is available. If he is uncommitted and wants possible offer, let the coach know he would commit to ED there if supported. If the coach is checking in with your son after losing another recruit, it sounds like a real possibility.
And donât wait. ED deadlines are less than a week away and the coach will move on to the next name on his list if he doesnât hear back soon.
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That was my initial thought, then I wondered whether he would use the slot on someone else if he knew my son will ED and maybe use a tip for him instead. Am I overthinking?
If your son wants it, get on the phone and ask. Itâs not the time to sit back.
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Yes - overthinking. Ask pertinent and objective questions. Most coaches are pretty honest and transparent.
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Havenât had this situation before so would be open to suggestions. For example, should he bother asking whether he passed the pre-read and get into bands/slots/tips or just ask if heâs going to support him in admissions?
The first part makes sense. Does he have a call scheduled with the coach? He has to find out if the coach is offering him full support thru the admissions process ( no need to get into bands.) Of course ok to ask if he passed the pre-read (even tho thatâs probably the case considering the re-contact.)
I agree with others who said time is of the essence. The coach could have contacted other recruits at the same time they contacted your son.
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I think we need more specifics. What does âheard from the coachâ mean? Was it a text? A call? Did he respond?
I would try to get the coach on the phone. He could say âI am not (or I am) ED anywhere but X is my number one school and am open to ED if I have a spot on the team.â Followed by âwould you be offering any support to my application?â âCan you share the results of my pre-read? Is there any reason you think I would not be accepted? Have you had kids with the same level of support not accepted in the past?â
These questions are all ok to ask, but he needs to get on the phone which the coach and find out what the coach is really asking or offering first.
Also - IS your son EDing somewhere else? If this is his first choice and he has not other offers what does he have to lose by applying if he is guaranteed a walk-on spot? (Unless itâs important to him ti be a starter)
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He heard by email and hasnât decided where to ED (no athletic offers). He would go to this school if offered a fully supported slot.
Curious your mention of guaranteed walk-on because thatâs where things were left the last time he was in touch with this coach (potential guaranteed roster spot if he got in, depending on numbers) - I guess âsoft supportâ may be whatâs on offer here?
Sometimes a walk on gets âsoft supportâ but not always. Some schools are very strict with the number of applications coaches can support and when (as in not in RD).
ETA - as opposed to showing up in the fall and hoping the coach will let you on the team. That can be difficult.
A walk on has 98% the same experience as the recruits and once you are in itâs never brought up again, but its just a fact that they are usually not as strong (hence the lack of offer) and donât start. But neither do many first years. They have the same chance as everyone else to earn their spot.
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There shouldnât be any gray areas here. Clear and specific questions need to be asked by your son, to the coach, ASAP. Have him ask the coach for a call and help him put together a very specific list and understand what responses he needs to hear. Have him write down the responses.
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Having not been through this process before, would appreciate any suggestions on specific questions that should be asked