DD may be killing he golden goose

obbay · Oct 24, 2017

DD is 2018. DD really likes one NESCAC School, loves the coaches and the players. The school has a reputation of being generous with aid and graduating seniors with no debt. coach gave her her cell number and told her to feel free to text her. Also asked for trnscripts and SAT scores and she would take them over to admissions and see what she can do.(DD weighted GPA just under 4.2).
Problem is DD is not pursuing. Says this school is #3 on her list. School also has the binding early admission thing, so she's not applying early- which basically says good bye to the best scholarship money.
#2 is a fine School but she has only met the coach once and she hasn't seen her play. I found out recently that this school doesn't help much with financial aid- which may be a deal breaker.
#1 is also a decent school, not as well known as #2 and 3 but she hasn't even met the coach or players. It's a lower tier D2 program and the farthest drive of all the schools. If she does play ball here, we won't get to see many games. And winter lasts a lot longer in this part of the world.
Early decision deadlines are rapidly approaching...I guess I'm just venting. You can lead a horse to water but you can't mI want her to go to a school that she feels good about/comfortable with and it has to b her decision. I just hate to see a golden opportunity thrown out the window in favor of two schools that we may not be able to afford.( she may need to submit a second round of applications). If she gets enough scholarship money at #1 I could live with that and be happy for her.
I dunno
Any advice for how to keep my sanity?

mj1569 · Oct 24, 2017

Why would she not apply? She should apply to all the schools that are on her list. The applications are not binding and most schools when athletics are involved waive the fees. Basically she has nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying early.

FP26 · Oct 24, 2017

No good advice here, just some "I feel your pain"... DD's criteria for a college is 1) Academic match for program of choice. 2) Campus. She wants to pick a school that she will be comfortable at with or without softball. 3) Softball. 4) Total Cost.

She has a firm offer from her #4 school, but they are not a great match academically. It can be done, but it will be a more difficult road for her. #3 seems like an option, but it is new to her list and the coach has never seen her play. #2 has a brand new coach but there seems to be some mutual interest, but nothing definitive. #1 also has some mutual interest with nothing definitive. She will be attending a clinic in the near future. Hopefully things will sort themselves out within the next 4 to 6 weeks. Only time will tell. Ultimately, I want DD to be happy more than anything else. So as long as her choice satisfies that requirement, all else is good. Hopefully your DD is also able to find that perfect fit. Good luck!!

FP26 · Oct 24, 2017

mj1569 said:
Why would she not apply? She should apply to all the schools that are on her list. The applications are not binding and most schools when athletics are involved waive the fees. Basically she has nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying early.

Some schools have what's known as "early decision". If you apply with that option, it is binding. One of DDs choices also has that. She has applied, but has done so with rolling admissions, not with early decision.

mj1569 · Oct 24, 2017

FP26 said:
Some schools have what's known as "early decision". If you apply with that option, it is binding. One of DDs choices also has that. She has applied, but has done so with rolling admissions, not with early decision.

Sorry, never heard of that. Here is some information for others that are in the same boat as me.

https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/applications/early

maksoftball · Oct 24, 2017

obbay said:
DD is 2018. DD really likes one NESCAC School, loves the coaches and the players. The school has a reputation of being generous with aid and graduating seniors with no debt. coach gave her her cell number and told her to feel free to text her. Also asked for trnscripts and SAT scores and she would take them over to admissions and see what she can do.(DD weighted GPA just under 4.2).
Problem is DD is not pursuing. Says this school is #3 on her list. School also has the binding early admission thing, so she's not applying early- which basically says good bye to the best scholarship money.
#2 is a fine School but she has only met the coach once and she hasn't seen her play. I found out recently that this school doesn't help much with financial aid- which may be a deal breaker.
#1 is also a decent school, not as well known as #2 and 3 but she hasn't even met the coach or players. It's a lower tier D2 program and the farthest drive of all the schools. If she does play ball here, we won't get to see many games. And winter lasts a lot longer in this part of the world.
Early decision deadlines are rapidly approaching...I guess I'm just venting. You can lead a horse to water but you can't mI want her to go to a school that she feels good about/comfortable with and it has to b her decision. I just hate to see a golden opportunity thrown out the window in favor of two schools that we may not be able to afford.( she may need to submit a second round of applications). If she gets enough scholarship money at #1 I could live with that and be happy for her.
I dunno
Any advice for how to keep my sanity?

Similar experience - DD put her eggs in one basket - loved the school she chose - everything - location, coaches, academic offerings, etc. They offered no money in the end, and it was too late to do anything about it - she decommitted and is now attending/playing for JUCO. Upside - 2 years paid for 100%, great experience so far (thriving very well); downside - last years of college unknown. Sigh. Strongly emphasize not putting eggs in one basket - it could potentially bite in butt and it will be too late to do anything about it. But if there is solid footing for money and it's where she truly wants to go, time to let go and let her be (put personal desires aside-it's her choice).

obbay · Oct 24, 2017

Some schools have what's known as "early decision". If you apply with that option, it is binding.

That's the problem she has with #3. She will still apply, but I think there won't be a whole lot of scholarship money left to pay off that $66K annual expense.
She is looking at 5 schools, none of which we can afford

Thanks for sharing, makes me feel better

JAD · Oct 24, 2017

Your family needs to decide what are the most important factors in her picking a school and weigh your options. Getting some interest from the softball coach is a good first step unless y'all are willing to pay her way as a walk-on.

Greenmonsters · Oct 24, 2017

FYI - Schools generally would like you to think that Early Decision is binding and request that you immediately withdraw all other college applications upon ED acceptance. DO NOT withdraw the other applications until you absolutely have to make an ED commitment - insufficient financial aid is always an acceptable justification for delaying or reneging an ED acceptance.

For those considering highly competitive D3 academics, like a NESCAC school, I suggest you hedge your chances and apply to many schools as admission and fin aid offers can vary significantly and unexpectedly. I would apply to as many of those schools as I could visit and schedule an admissions interview (applying withou an interview can be perceived as a lack of real interest). Ultimately better to have more acceptances to choose from as it increases the chances of a best academic/financial/softball fit. I suspect that most D3 coaches dream about having a talented “walk on” appear unexpectedly during fall open tryouts.

murphdog · Oct 24, 2017

Good luck to her. At this point she needs to decide which is more important to her. Is the school, location etc most important or the ability to play softball there? Would she be happy at school #1 or 2 and not playing?
Does school #3 offer both early decision and early action? Are her grades/SAT scores high enough for her to get good academic aid without the coach’s help?

DD may be killing he golden goose

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