On the other hand, OP has mentioned the word Ivy several times. Now we learn Princeton, without running is superior. Makes you wonder if OP is about pedigree more than anything since one can argue that there’s HYP…and then others Ivies.
Despite popular belief, there are plenty of kids out there for whom Princeton is the school that checks all the boxes, including FIT and most certainly cost. We go on and on this forum about prioritizing fit, even over an athletic possibility, but the minute someone mentions the top of their list is Princeton, people assume all they care about is rank.
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It’s possible - but the thread is about no offers - should I be worried - so I’d presume running is the focus.
You’re not wrong in what you’re saying - but I’ve made the assumption in context of what OP has said - initially I want one of the Ivies, the non Ivy offer is not as desired.
Then Princeton and not running was introduced as superior.
My assumption may not be correct but it is certainly logical based on OPs own statements.
My understanding is that she thinks or knows she would be able to walk on at Princeton; they just aren’t giving her any admissions support.
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Yes - but that’s not an assured - only OP can answer. It’s simply an assumption, right or wrong, I’ve made.
In the end, OP has to define their priorities and if it’s Princeton and not running, that’s ok.
Yes, I think the interest in Princeton is well-informed and unique to that school, not about prestige. It might be the best fit at the end of the day. But there’s also a chance one of these other schools will be a great fit too. I’ve just found that the visits sometimes can change things if given a chance.
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In the other thread I believe OP mentioned double legacy at Princeton. So that is obviously part of the equation as well. And plenty of athletic recruits have two lists - one with sports and one without.
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I’m not saying they don’t - I simply noted that OP (on this thread) seems awfully worried about not visits (well, one Ivy)…but on the other, worried they don’t have a paper and also notes Princeton is the top choice.
Neither you, nor I, nor Tony Grace know why. We’ve all offered possible theories - I don’t know which is right but OP can update.
Just because you have a theory doesn’t mean it’s the right theory. I don’t know. I simply offered a conclusion from what was shared - and asked for OP’s feedback.
This is how I read it as well. It’s not Princeton and no track. It’s Princeton and no recruiting support. Her Junior year times project her being able to walk on there.
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But then has to wonder, how important is running - because do you take a chance of a walk on - which requires luck and not just performance.
Or do you take the sure thing if it happens?
And it seems the unassured trumps the assured.
Again, it’s as I’m reading it - but OP can answer. If Princeton came with no chance of running, would it trump running? I think that’s how they’d have to look at it. Running there would be an unexpected bonus.
It’s fairly common for Ivy League schools to have athletes on their XC and TF teams who are walk ons. And it sounds like the coaches at Princeton have indicated this would be the case if she were to get in on her own.
But the getting in is the hard part. So the dilemma is take the 100% supported spot at the other Ivy or the D3 or roll the dice with Princeton. And OP already had a whole thread about this a few months ago. Tough choice.
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Indeed.
The top six 5k women last year have times better than the 17-flat her current PR projects. Half of them are seniors so will be gone. We know nothing about this years freshman class (maybe OP does) and we would Hope OP gets even faster senior year. So it would be a surprise if she couldn’t walk on.
Problem is, it’s a tough bill without athletic support even with everything else OP has going for them. Risky bet. I’d go ED where there is athletic support, which is a gift OP may not be appreciating. These sound like great options, even if they’re not Princeton.
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Not necessarily. Kids can know ahead of time if they will have a spot on a team. This is the case with many athletes at Princeton and in those instances they join the “recruited class” as soon as they are accepted, months ahead of the start of the year. It’s a case of the coach only having so many likely letters.
Honestly, I think its a really tough decision situation. It’s not a matter of go to top choice school and give up the sport, or go to a lower choice school and play. These kids are in a unique situation where they can play the sport AND attend their top school if they make it. That possibility is much harder to walk away from.
If I were OP I’d have a frank conversation with the CC about how competitive they are in their own right. This was the bar we set for our own kid when he wanted to walk away from his offers to take his chances at his top choice school. It’s a lottery, but are you competitive in your own right to get your name into the hat?
And don’t be fooled about the legacy thing. Legacy will make your name float to the top of the pile, but will not get your name into the pile itself. I don’t know what OPs full schedule and rigor look like, not what prep school they are attending, but I do have some concern about the choice to not take English this year. Princeton generally likes you to push and challenge yourself across all core subjects regardless of stated number of years required.
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OP has several threads - I found this - but not deeper info:
1510 SAT (will take again)
95 GPA
Very rigorous course schedule
Double parent legacy + sibling legacy
Parents make significant donations
Letter of support from the coach?
We have established that is not a thing at Princeton, but there is no reason to believe the rest is not good enough. OP should follow earlier advice to go to OVs with an open mind. They should also consider what happens if they are deferred at Princeton (the last couple of cycles indicate this is a likely outcome).
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A note to the OP from a Princeton alum: 10 years ago, my child was in a similar situation regarding Princeton.
They were not an athletic recruit, but like you, had been going to reunions and football games and climbing on the tiger statues since they were a baby.
They applied to about a dozen schools and when their SAT scores rose after the November test date, I suggested that they also apply to Princeton. I did some research, spoke to some experts (including a roommate/former board member) about their profile, their activities, their story (unique, complicated and one that would have moved their application into the this-one-will-really-hurt-if-we-reject-them pile), and estimated that their chance of admission was in the 10% to 20% range, as others have for you. Of course, no one can really estimate your chances based on the slim, out-of-context information provided online - admissions officers have said the same. That process is too nuanced.
Ultimately, when I gave my child this information, they chose to change their regular decision application to ED2 at an elite non-Ivy, a liberal arts college that was still a bit of a reach. They were accepted, loved the school, blew it away academically and took advantage of all the non-academic offering the school had, and never looked back. I was amazed at the caliber of the students at that school, as well as what it offered.
I’m saying this as I bear in mind that Princeton is your dream school and I realize that it is in some ways unique. By the same token I want to remind you that you will not live a lifetime of regret and think of what might have happened if you had gone to Princeton (if you had gotten in, which is far from a given, as you know) if you ultimately choose to accept an ED recruiting offer and don’t apply to Princeton.
My advice would be to have you and/or your coach reach out to other schools - you should be able to come up with a list of 25 or even 50 high-level D3 schools (there really are a lot of them - NESCACs, Swarthmore, Hopkins, some other universities, other Northeastern and Midwestern liberal arts colleges) and perhaps a few other Division 1 schools - certainly consider the Patriot League schools, among others.
Bear in mind that by reaching out, you can still ultimately say no to any school that recruits you. If you decide to give Princeton your chance, you can tell the coach your plan, truthfully - that you want to give Princeton your shot, but have no coach’s support, and that if you’re not accepted REA, that you’ll commit to them in December. Or you can merely come back to them in Mid-December if deferred if they were interested and you passed them up for a chance at Princeton to see if they still have slots available or will provide some type of soft support.
I can’t make your decision, but if you are deferred REA, I wouldn’t hold out hope for Princeton admission over a school that will give you a strong chance of admission, because you probably will regret doing that come late March.
I wish I wasn’t saying that, of course - I’d be happy to see you get in to Princeton and go, but personally, I’d go to the school that would let me run in the meets and not merely along the towpath during practice.
Best of luck.
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Princeton wouldn’t be without running! If I get in there, the coach says he would like to have me on the team. So no, there is no deciding whether Princeton or running is more important.
If I get an offer from one of the other Ivy Leagues that is actually recruiting me, I’ll be in a really tough spot. Apply ED to the offered school and guaranteed get in or apply to where I want to be most (have known Princeton forever, family pride, best team/program for many reasons, good location for more reasons) but be taking a huge risk?
Princeton does not mean no running 
See above post. I could run there and be on the best team possible (why I’m not being recruited there) with an awesome coach and environment
So normally I’d say don’t ED to a school that isn’t your top choice. But if you are recruited and don’t apply ED to that school, you’d lose your spot I assume …ie school A offers you a spot but you don’t ED, they’ll move on ?
That is a tough spot.
You could lose both. Are you willing to take that chance ?