Dilemma - What to do? HELP!

College B is the only answer here. I bet that she can get in, on her own merit. If she goes to A, she will always wonder what could have been. Then, keep talking to the coach and tell him/her that she has already applied and that this is her first choice.

This being DIII actually makes things easier. Their is no scholarship they are going to turn around and give someone else. The worst thing that can happen if you string them along is losing a bit of favor from the coach, which is not ideal but can be mended. If she is good enough to make the team they are going to take her if/when she shows up at the school.

Hold out for School B and continue to tell School A you aren't ready to make a decision for a few more months.

girliesmom said:

Div 3. For us and for dd, school supersedes softball any day. It's about getting her into the school that will best prepare her for the future. The difference with School A and School B is School A is located in a remote location, nearest large city is small in comparison to School B. We can see dd living in the city where school B is located after she graduates. School A, not so much. Both schools will provide a great education. School B will provide better connections after college, in my opinion. Guess the question is, how do we tell School A that we're not prepared to give a commitment at this time yet not have them pull their support in favor of the next player in line?

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Very simply - DD is not prepared to commit at this time but remains very interested as she is still evaluating other schools.

FWIW, If your DD's preference has been formed without visiting both schools, do whatever you have to to visit and see the schools even if it means missing school, vacation, TB tournaments etc. Some schools will just feel more right than others and that gut feeling instinct shouldn't be discounted. Sounds like your DD is looking at small, highly selective D3 schools in the northeast, any one of which would be a great academic choice. With such low admissions rates, IMO the bigger challenge typically is getting in than making the softball/sports team. There is understandable angst as unless you apply ED with a coaches support, admission is uncertain and unpredictable. With D3 there are no athletic scholarships and financial aid, if needed, should be comparable as most of these schools have significant endowments. I say don't give up on the dream school, be patient, apply ED with or without coach support and, if not accepted ED, apply via regular admissions to that and all other schools on her list. See what options you then have to choose from and consider softball in the process understanding that no D3 coach is going to turn away a walk on who can contribute to the team. You could almost consider all D3 players walk one as there is nothing that binds players to a team and vice versa - IMO, D3 coaches probably are holding their breath until after the first day of open tryouts to see if everyone expected or any surprise show!

girliesmom said:

DD would rather go to College B - it's her #1 dream school.

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Congratulations to your daughter!

College B. She should devote her energies getting into the school she wants to attend. She's a lock to make the team.

Agreed with some of the above if the DIII academic money/aid is not off by that much between schools I would go with School B. It sounds School A coach wants her but she is not sure where as School B coach is not sure but your DD wants school B. If school B checks all the other boxes I would go for it and let softball work itself out...as others have said getting accepted to the school is a much bigger deal in the DIII world. I might even have her approach school B coach and ask about their policy towards walking on because she wants to be assured she will at least get an opportunity to compete for a spot almost like a "preferred walk-on." Just have to be 100% prepared that if she does not play softball she is OK with it.

My DD is very happy at her D3. When she was in HS she had a similar dilemma. School A is where she wanted to play,
and school B is where she wanted her education. When school A pressed, she told them she was not ready as she had to wait until spring semester
of sr. year for school B acceptance. She asked school A if she would have a spot on the team if she was not accepted at her dream school (B).
Coach of school A assured her she would be welcomed with open arms.

Today, she just finished her 2nd year at school B and is very much in her 'happy place'

quincy said:

Once you take the money off the table she is free, do not let them pressure her or you.

She is probably not going to make a living playing SB after college.

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Thanks! Makes sense. And yes, agree.