2018's: How is the college recruiting process going?

There are a couple of uncommitted girls on my DD's team and they are not doing anything to get recruited. They are not contacting coaches, sending emails, posting skills videos...nothing, and then they wonder why no coaches are showing interest. I guess they are expecting the TB coaches to do everything for them.

rdbass said:

DD plays DIII because of the amount of Academic monies she received because of her high grades. So, grades are important. DD has to maintain a certain GPA or you can lose the scholarships. DD was named to the CSAC All-Academic Team.

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FYI - depends on the school. DD ranked 26 in her class of 835 and had good test scores - got a big fat 0. Ended up going JUCO route.

My DD got a bunch of offers from DIII at this point. This weekend she was given a "we're very interested in you" by her number 1 school which is D1...I thought they would have already committed their 2018's but lucky for us they're looking for two catchers! Funny enough she met up with the assistant coach at an individual skills camp before her tournament this weekend. My DD had gone to this school's sponsored camp back in january and this coach had given my daughter some corrections on her hitting and I guess she liked the improvement. The coach is supposed to call her this week fingers crossed it's positive!

FYI- I know to each his own but some of the camps we have done have been the best way for DD to get exposed. We play for a bigger name travel program in New England but we're not on the number one team in the organization. Good to hear everyones stories though...looking forward to seeing how/where everyone turns out!

DD's top 3 all saw her play this weekend and all want her to come for a visit and do a fall overnight. When she emailed her #1 to thank them for coming she told them that they were her #1 choice as of now, the coach responded with "Glad to hear it because you are at the top of my list too" so she's pretty excited. All of the schools are DIII mainly because there are not many DI and DII schools with her major in the location she wants to go.
She also attracted the attention of a few schools that weren't even on the radar which made her feel great even though they aren't schools she'd consider for various reasons. It's always nice to have our parent liason come over and tell you that a bunch of coaches are talking about your kid.

bombermom said:

FYI- I know to each his own but some of the camps we have done have been the best way for DD to get exposed. We play for a bigger name travel program in New England but we're not on the number one team in the organization. Good to hear everyones stories though...looking forward to seeing how/where everyone turns out!

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Bombermom - would you mind PM'ing who your DD plays for and your experience there so far? DD is moving to showcase full-time in august and we have to decide where her best fit will be for the next few years. She's playing a mix of 14U and showcase this year with a big org, but not sure it'll be the best club for her next year. Thanks.

girliesmom said:

DD received a verbal commitment from one school (School A) several months ago. Coach hasn't pressured her for a commitment as she hadn't visited yet. Planning to visit sometime this summer. I think a verbal commitment from a school without the kid committing back is very unusual (but what do we know since this is our first time to the dance lol!) In the meantime, DD is also speaking with 2 other schools. One (School B) told her that she's on their very short list. They'd like to bring in 2 pitchers and she's one of 4 girls vying for a spot. The other school (School C - and dd's top choice) has told daughter that they too are looking to bring in 2 pitchers and that they're very interested in bringing her in. All 3 are D3 schools. Academically, she's qualifies for all 3 schools and all 3 coaches have said the same. Softball-wise, since she plays for a no-name travel team that does not complete in large national tournaments, other than school A, School B and C would like to see her this summer before any commitments are made. School B and C are also waiting for test scores on the other girls on the shortlist to see if they'll even make the cut. DD is also communicating with another small handful of other D3 schools but they rank much lower on her list so she's not focusing much on them. Not sure if we're on target or not... but that's what's happening on our dd's recruiting front.

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Just an update.

DD visited School A and LOVES the school and can see herself going there. On a scale of 100, she rates it 99.9. She's still very much in-love with her top choice (School B). She rates that 100/100. School B watched her play recently and wants her on her team. Unfortunately we just found out that they had a change in fin. aid policy and is now Need-Aware versus Need-Blind. This could impact her acceptance. School C too saw her play recently and told her they love her. Coach really sold her on School C (even though it wasn't top of DD's list). Told DD that she needed to pick School C, blah, blah, blah then suddenly came back and told her that they won't support her application (not due to grades) but softball needs. Guess the coach was able to get the faster pitcher (but with lower grades and test scores) through admissions. It was a bit of a downer for DD but that's ok. It really wasn't the right fit for her. Kinda like forcing a square peg into a round hole. She had a couple of other schools recently watch her play but at this point, I think it's really down to School A and School B. To be honest, if the pre-read comes back positive, I think she's going to pick School A. And I think School A will be the best fit for her - Academically, Athletically, Socially, Financially, etc.

What I've learnt from this process (through my dd's and her teammates): It's one heck of a crazy roller coaster ride. Coaches will say that they want you, but then could turn on a dime and change their minds. Always make sure you have a few pokers in the fire at all times. Start with a BIG list and then funnel down to something manageable towards the summer before sernior year. Have DD to her homework so she knows what she likes for schools - size, location, programs, etc. Make sure she has safety schools all the way to Reaches, but also schools your DD loves plus ones she could learn to love. If a coach loves you, you'll know. They'll stay with your DD for the long run. They'll come out to support your DD (not just to assess them). They respond quickly - Same Day, sometimes within minutes / hours of an email. Very important, have your DD write, write, write to coaches and invite them to come out and watch your DD play. Don't ever assume that she'll be discovered. For D3s, if at a tournament and it's after your DD's junior year and she has no more games for the day, make sure she introduces herself to the coach. D3 coaches can talk to players after their last game of the day. If a D3 coach is serious about your DD, they'll stay and speak with her after her last game. They'll also introduce themselves to you, the parent. Get good grades and test scores. These will get your DD a lot of looks. If looking at NESCAC, your DD will need a minimum of a 32 ACT or corresponding SAT score. They won't settle for anything less. DD's teammate got a 30 and a NESCAC coach told her that he wants her for his team but she needs to get a 32 minimum. She's not going to retake the ACT. Long story short, she's NOT going to that school. If a coach gives your DD his / her cell-phone number, use it. Text them her tournament schedule. Invite them to come watch. Thank them for coming out.

Long and short of it.... it's a very long and bumpy ride. A marathon, not a sprint with lots of ups and downs. What you / your DD thinks is the perfect school may not always be the case. Hang in there, the right one will come along. Good Luck!

DD committed yesterday to a D2 school 2 hours away. It came down to this school and a local NAIA. Both are small liberal arts schools with good athletic programs and coaches that she really likes. She decided to put a little distance between school and home, which is okay with DW and me. Both of us have siblings close to her school choice, so she has a couple of get away spots if she needs one. And a 2 hour drive puts her close enough to come home for a weekend whenever she has the time. All three of us are relieved that this decision is now behind her and we can enjoy her final year of HS without the cloud of what's next hanging over. High School tryouts started today.