D1 Ivy Experience

There are quite a few folks here that will post about the IL process which is quite different than other D1 programs.

When was contact first initiated?

@TPM posted:

There are quite a few folks here that will post about the IL process which is quite different than other D1 programs.

When was contact first initiated?

Just within the last couple of days.  They are requesting information from him, transcripts, etc.

@ILoveBaseball04 posted:

Trying to do some quick and unexpected research - what has been the recent or somewhat recent experience with D1 Ivy schools?  Son was contacted by one who said they had been following him this summer (a surprise) and is chatting with them - we trying to understand how these schools are impacted by the portal, etc.  Son is a 2026 and recently turned 16.  I can get more specific in DMs.  Thanks in advance!

The portal has no impact whatsoever. Ivy’s get an average of 6-8 commits every year. They had better recruit well because that 6-8 will become sophomores, juniors, and seniors. You can somewhat equate this to the high school team model except there will be no new students moving to the area and impact the local high school team!

Some of the Ivy’s do take transfers but it’s a rarity. There is at least one new transfer from the portal for the upcoming year but I’m sure the transfer was orchestrated before he entered the portal.

Feel free to DM if you have specific questions.

@ILoveBaseball04 posted:

Just within the last couple of days.  They are requesting information from him, transcripts, etc.

Coaches were able to make first contact Aug 1.

It's the weekend, hang in there, I am sure that you will get responses.

@ILoveBaseball04 posted:

Trying to do some quick and unexpected research - what has been the recent or somewhat recent experience with D1 Ivy schools?  Son was contacted by one who said they had been following him this summer (a surprise) and is chatting with them - we trying to understand how these schools are impacted by the portal, etc.  Son is a 2026 and recently turned 16.  I can get more specific in DMs.  Thanks in advance!

I'm not sure exactly what info you are looking for.   In summary, the recruiting experience is an absolute gauntlet.  Once you're enrolled and on campus, it is nirvana with academic opportunities too many to list.  Athletic opportunities exist as well as a handful of guys get drafted every year.  My son loved his 4 years, and he absolutely worked his tail off.   I've known dozens of people that have played Ivy baseball, and I've yet to hear any regrets. 

I do know that if your son is a 2026 and he just turned 16 there is a reason they contacted your son.  This was about the time my son was introduced to some Ivy coaches.  If he is a genuine D1 talent today AND he has the GPA to be considered then probably your next step would be getting the necessary SAT/ACT scores if he doesn't have them already.  The sooner your son can post those necessary scores the better because he will get an Ivy coaches  attention sooner.  If one Ivy coach is reaching out, you can expect more as they are all looking for recruits that meet specific metrics across the country.  This would be your starting point in their recruiting process.

If you have specific questions, please free to reach out to me on a DM.

JMO, and good luck!

@fenwaysouth posted:

I'm not sure exactly what info you are looking for.

JMO, and good luck!

Thank you!  We are very much at the we don't even know what we don't know stage   and are trying to understand how their process works, what we might need to be aware of in the current recruiting climate.  He did attend the local Area Code tryouts, but did not make the team (we did not expect him to and were grateful he was asked to attend).  He spent the rest of the summer playing on a top local travel team that played in invite-tournaments in four states - but NOT the one where this school is located.  In fact, he's never been to or played anywhere near that campus, so...a surprise.  To me, the less impacted by the transfer portal comment above is a huge positive, as the one huge downside I would rather not see for my son playing baseball at a university is jumping around from school to school.  I know that has become very normal, but that is just not the experience I would want for him.  He just wants to play good baseball, but he happens to also be a very bright kid. Thank you to everyone here taking the time to share your experiences!

Congratulations! If they are asking for grades, next year's schedule and test scores, they are quite serious.

You could maybe ask them what number your son is on their recruiting list.

Now that they have made contact you can provide them with whatever they may want, and you can contact through email and fill them in with your fall schedule. However my understanding thru a HA parent here, that it's quite different than most D1 recruiting.

This would be the same for any coach that contacts you.

You can ask any program where you fall on their list, however it's early in the process so keep in mind that the recruiting board in the coaches office is filled with lots of names and changes often!

Because of the new recruiting calendar, this next year is about getting to know each other!

Good luck. It's a long process so don't get discouraged!

I will add the net price calculator is pretty accurate on your kid's cost of attendance. I get heartburn just typing this.

One of mine was being recruited by 2 Ivies. If my memory serves me correct they wanted a 27 on the ACT and at least steady Bs. Take this with a grain of salt because he was getting (minor) pro looks out of HS  and ended up at a P5. On the other hand, he was a grade level ahead in a few subjects in what was considered a rigorous HS. He never took the ACT but he had about an 1100 on the SAT and it didn't seem to be an issue - communication did not stop there.

Now, he had also already gone on visits to a Big 12, ACC, and Big 10 at that point and they were aware so it's very possible those numbers did present an issue but they didn't think it would ever go any further.

I knew of 2 others who were being recruited by Ivies. One was told something similar (ended up at ACC), the other was told he needed higher scores and A's with a few B's mixed in - ended up at a Patriot.

I imagine the flexibility they have correlates with level of recruit they're getting. I don't know this for a fact but I would guess they get one "are you sure?" recruit each year.

I think the key thing with the Ivy League is that you have to have the ability to succeed in the classroom once you get there, which means you need strong academic preparation.  My feeling as a parent wasn't that Ivy League students were smarter than other students (they were not), but they were aggressive in getting through new material fast.  He might want to try to take the most challenging classes in which he has some interest  -- and don't drop the foreign languages; there's almost always a language requirement.  Try to take Math as high as Calculus by senior year.  Keep all electives in the "core" category (English, Math, History, Language, Lab Science).  Even if he can get in with less, he might have some anxiety about school if he doesn't have a competitive academic background.

@RHP_Parent posted:

I think the key thing with the Ivy League is that you have to have the ability to succeed in the classroom once you get there, which means you need strong academic preparation.  My feeling as a parent wasn't that Ivy League students were smarter than other students (they were not), but they were aggressive in getting through new material fast.  He might want to try to take the most challenging classes in which he has some interest  -- and don't drop the foreign languages; there's almost always a language requirement.  Try to take Math as high as Calculus by senior year.  Keep all electives in the "core" category (English, Math, History, Language, Lab Science).  Even if he can get in with less, he might have some anxiety about school if he doesn't have a competitive academic background.

Great point @RHP_Parent.  I'm picking up on the word "anxiety" in your last sentence.  As parents, we knew he had the mental horsepower to do the work, but we were most anxious & concerned about his time management and organizational skills in a very competitive major at a very competitive university.   High school did not challenge him in those areas, and we knew college would.   When you add a college sport on top of all that then you have something (as a parent) to really add more anxiety.   To our absolute surprise he adapted quickly to the college workload and baseball.  As a freshman (in the Fall) he was required to meet with the Head Coach every Friday to check on his academic standing, attendance and progress in his major.   If tutoring was needed, it is available just as it would with any regular Ivy student.   There is no special academic treatment or dedicated tutors for athletes.  Our anxiety went away when he told us he was doing great and he no longer was required to meet with the HC on Friday.

Just my experience.

A couple of injuries and surgery wiped out interest in my son including a couple of Ivies. He was hoping his choice would come down to Duke versus an Ivy.

When interest resumed post surgery it was Big Ten programs. My son admitted afterwards he felt pressure to go to an Ivy if he got in (needed baseball). He pointed out I once said he was very good at falling out of trees and landing on his feet scoring a perfect ten. He felt that might not work at an Ivy.

As it turned out he fell out of the tree and didn’t score a ten his first semester at a Big Ten. It woke him up and matured him. He could have handled any school. Given how things worked out where he went is no longer relevant. He got the same job he would have wanted coming out of an Ivy.

Son is a rising junior at an Ivy and has loved the experience. Very different from other schools as noted - happy to answer questions in DM.