OP is a recruited athlete so s/he has to apply ED or the coach will thi k s/he isn’t serious.
Grinnell meets full need and it sounds like OP has run the NPC and determined it’s the cheapest of the options where s/he can compete.
It’s a good fit (the vibe is *quite * different from Colby’s - the closest might be Bates??)
So, basically, it all comes down to “it’s far from NYC”.
OP:
- ask to be put in touch with current team players as well as current students from the NYC area.
Once you’ve chatted a bit with the NYC area students, ask them if they’d be willing to chat with your parents. - Be open with Admissions about your parents hesitating due to the distance from NYC, ask if they have ideas to help you convince them that Grinnell is your #1 choice! You cant be the first one with that situation.
- Research the college more so you can show your parents how, exactly, Grinnell is a perfect match for you and your personality.
Note that on the one hand you will not go home often anyway, typically only for Winter Break (which is quite long at Grinnell), perhaps Spring Break (freshman/sophomore year?), and at the end of Spring semester before the start of summer internships. On the other hand, you’ll have a long plane ride, so three times a year it’ll be a pain.