Where were you at this time?

I'm hoping to get some perspective. I realize that everyone's experience is different but would like to know if what dd is doing is sufficient or if she's seriously behind the proverbial "8 ball" and should dd ramp up her efforts.

DD is a junior. She's primarily targeting D3s. She initially wrote to 50+ schools (D1s through D3s). She heard from 2 dozen - more than half were in the form of camp invites (D1s and D2s) and the balance were personal emails from D3s. In the last year, she started eliminating the schools that she really didn't want to go to (ie. too rural, or too urban) and today, she only keeps in touch with approx. half a dozen D3 schools today. That is, whenever she writes them, they write back. She has a good relationship with them. However, none of these coaches have said "We want you!" yet and their interest ranges from interested to strongly interested (in my limited experience).

So my question is, when your dd was a junior, how many schools was she communicating with on a regular basis? Is half a dozen or so sufficient? Or is DD limiting herself too much? She has several upcoming camps and may receive some unsolicited interest. But in the meantime, she has only formed a good relationship with these coaches. Where was your dd at this time in the recruiting process?

Thanks.

It seemed like the D3's really started showing interest at the end of Boo's Junior year. Seemed the higher the academics the later in the process they were to join the dance. Only one very high academic ever came to see her play prior to her JR year.

Unless your DD is a pitcher, this summer will be the time to nail down a D1.

Invites to camps are usually mass mailings.

If she is really interested she should pick up the phone and give them a call. Nothing says more than phone-phobic teens calling a stranger.

When DD was a junior fall semester, she was still talking to D2 and D3 schools. DD didn't get a solid "we want you" from a D3 until summer between junior and senior year. She is committed to a D2, but would have previously committed to the D3 if she had gotten a solid "we want you" in spring of junior year.

I think 6 is a good manageable number. D3's do not have athletic scholarships, so they wait until later in the process to make offers based on financial need and academics. Good luck to your DD!

If your daughter is a good ball player she can play D3. It is important to understand how different coaches operate. If it is a good academic school, that coach might show what seems like lukewarm interest until a player is accepted for admission. That makes the process later. For a lot of the private schools, the coaches want to make sure that the price and financial aid are all understood. If your DD is going to attend a D3, I would make sure it is THE school that she wants to attend. My oldest had decided not to play softball in college before her senior year in HS. Then she changed her mind in the spring of her senior year. She had no problem rekindling interest with her top three D3 schools. By that time she was accepted and we knew the financial aid packages and she was able to choose her school.

DD1 was a very good HS player and a solid player on a very good travel team. A few D2 had come out and watched her play and 2 of her top 3 D3 had seen her play. She visited two of those schools. Of her top D3 schools, she never got an "offer" she just called the coach and said she was accepted and coming to the school and wanted to meet. Coach knew who she was, had her come meet in the office, and told her to show up for practice in the fall. Coach was at several tournaments that summer and watched her play. At that point they could talk at tournaments.

Bottom line: You need to have a good idea of your DD's level. If she is a good player on a good travel team she will make a D3 team. As parents, we don't know when going through it with the oldest because all this is some mystical process. Get accepted to those top 6 schools, stay in contact with the coaches, figure out the financial aid, and then go from there. I think your DD is in great shape right now and is ahead of schedule if she wants to play D3 and is good enough.