Is ED2 risky?

Great questions and challenging situation!

Coaches pull varies by school, but in my experience, it does not vary between ED1 vs. ED2.  The ED1 vs. ED2 situation could be like yours.  It could also be when a coach load balances (for whatever reasons) with Admissions between the two dates (as is happening in our situation with my 2016).  It could be for a variety of situations.

I understand the timing of not being able to visit by 11/1, but it would seem that an Admissions pre-read at School B could happen this week.  That way you know where you stand...maybe ED1 or ED2 is not a possibility at this school regardless of whether you visit.  Would that change things?  I would think so back in favor of School A or somewhere else.

Good luck!

Branson Baseball,

Interesting perspective on load balancing. Can you further explain (to the extent you can) what that means or how that works?  I will ask my 2016 to explore that subject with the Head Coach of School "B".

I'm not too concerned with receiving an unfavorable pre-read from School "B" although its possible.  Academically speaking, School "A" is universally ranked higher than School "B" by a few spots.  The factors that tilt in favor of School "B" have nothing to do with academics.  They are mostly intangibles.

I'm concerned about just how much the Head Coach from School "B" really "wants" my son.  The level of "want" has a direct correlation with the level of support a student-athlete can expect to receive from the Head Coach during ED.  The Head Coach from School "A" has made that clear (to the extent that's possible) that my son is wanted - offering full support (90%+).  The Head Coach from School "B" is going down a list and my 2016 is next man up.  I get it. My son understands it.   But, he likes School "B" a tiny bit [holds fingers slightly apart] more than School "A".  Does he like it enough to take the gamble?  Not sure.

Both schools will serve him well in the long run.  With that said, If I had to pick a school for the next 4 years ...I would give School "B" a very slight nod.  My concern is the risk (kissing goodbye to School "A") associated with applying ED2.  How much support should he truly expect notwithstanding the Head Coach's statement?     

I don't understand how your son can slightly favor B when he hasn't visited it yet?  I mean if it had a higher ranked team or was a more prestigious school in general, I would get it, but it you're saying they're pretty even in that regard.  It sounds like he really likes A and they really like him. I'd be careful not to give them reason to move on to another player unless your son is really sure that is what he wants to do.  Maybe you need to find a way to visit sooner than planned.

To me this is the operative part.  I guess it all depends on what happened and how they are willing to show you the love today (tell me it's not Louisville ). 

I would not let the ED situation get in the way.  You have every right to go thru what requirements you have to pick the best situation for your kid.  ED is like the used car salesman saying "it won't be here tomorrow."  If it isn't, then it wasn't meant to be.  Good luck. 

Would your son be happy with School "C"?  It sounds like the risk is low, but it is a possibility.

How important is PT to your son? My son just survived fall cuts (and pseudo-red shirting) at a very competitive DIII. He was one of their first commits last fall, and they told him that he was their first choice for his position. I have no doubt that his status as a top recruit put him in a better position to earn a spot this fall, and will help him in the spring as long as he continues to work hard and improve in the areas that they've outlined for him.

Every situation is different, of course.  In our most recent ED discussions, Coach is "load balancing" the academic quality of candidates and positional needs between each ED.  He said he has so many recruits he can advocate for in total.  Given my son is considered very low by the school's admissions standards, he wants him to go ED1 with a few higher quality (academically) baseball candidates.

I'm sure this Coach would take all his player's ED1 if they were all admissible early.

This makes me wonder about how much the player really understands the differences between School A and School B.

They are both top-ten academic D3 LACs, right? And one is perceived to have a "jock" culture? And one is perceived to be all-men? I agree that the visit should come before the ranking

My two cents....In my experience over the years, a high academic Coach has no pull or influence in ED2.  It is all incumbent upon your son to gain admittance in ED2.  You might want to ask Coach B (quickly...like tonight) what his influence is in ED2 and discuss it because he has potentially put your son in an unfavorable position (more risk) with Admission whether you realize it or not.  There are never any guarantees with Admissions to high academic schools but your son is taking unnecessary risk and he has a lot to lose. 

If the difference between the two schools is "ever so slight" and you've got a significantly better chance with School A then I suggest you look and re-evaluate the situation for what it is rather than hope things turn out for the best.  I've seen these situations many times before, and being realistic with the risk/reward is the way to go.

Good luck, and as always JMO.

You posting from two different accounts or am I reading wrong?

Sorry. Different devices. Same person.   need to delete the old account. 

Fenway is correct here.  At the top ten schools the coach loses his power after ED1.  IMHO he is hedging on not getting all his ED1's to commit by the signing date.  Just in case, your son is a backup plan that he hopes to jam through.  Otherwise, the coach would be pushing hard for an ED1 commit.  None of us can be sure, as every school is a bit different, but your son appears to be in a tight spot.  I think I would call the coach and talk about the odds of an ED2 admission if he already gets all his ED1's.  What has his past track record been?  This is a tough one that we all might be reading wrong.

This thread is very interesting to me.  My 2016 just went through a similar situation regarding the timing - he's also looking D3 LACs.  He heard back last week that coach was supporting him through ED and that he had a guaranteed roster spot in the spring.  This was (and is) his "A" school and he has been in discussions with the coach since Sept and had been waiting for Admissions to give coach their input.  The same day he heard from a school that is ranked much higher academically that they had seen him pitch at Headfirst and would like him to visit.  Baseball wise the teams are probably around the same but while his A school is an academic school the new school is a "real" academic school and in a conference where all the schools are very highly rated.  

We had a long discussion about what we should do but in the end 2016 stuck with his A school and we did not visit the new school (or B school).  Our impression was that his A school HC was working his way down a list and we worried that if 2016 delayed he'd be passed over for the next RHP on the list.  We went with the bird in the hand - it was also his first choice though and we're all very happy with it. 

Now my question - and Fenway is probably getting sick of helping me - when HC told 2016 that he would support him through admissions and would have the roster spot he also told him that admissions told him (HC) that 2016's best bet for admission was through ED and that it would be iffy if he applied regular decision (which is not what we were thinking anyway).  2016 told HC they were his first choice and he was applying ED.  I'm really worried that he's still a long shot for admission though based on HC's comments about being iffy. His travel coach (who is a college coach) is telling me that what he saw from the HC looks good to him (I sent him the email).  

Would HC have 2016 submit ED and take one of his "spots" with admissions if he didn't think he'd get in?  

MKbaseballdad,

Not all.  I'm here to help you and others in any way I can.  This stuff can make people crazy.  I still remember what it was like, and I didn't like the process any more than you do.

There comes a point where you’ve done everything you can do (research school, research coach, network with people on the inside, etc) with high academic schools.  A high academic coach is only as good as his word, and he knows he is being judged on it...word gets around quickly if he can't keep his commitments and expectations.   All the cards are on the table.  I call this point the “leap of faith”.  You know the coach is going to bat for your son in the admissions process and your son is committed to the school.  There are never any 100% guarantees with high academic schools, but your situation seems pretty favorable.  Your son is being sponsored into a school that he wants to attend and probably would not have access to if it wasn’t for baseball.  I think the feedback you’ve received from Admissions through the Coach is fairly common among these schools and situations.  Essentially, you have to take the coaches word because there is little else to go on with these schools.  I know that makes you feel uncomfortable, and it made me feel uncomfortable when my son was going through it.

Given your situation, I remember what it felt like with my son applying ED and waiting 6 weeks for the “official” word from Admissions.  It was not a fun 6 weeks.   Here is my advice....never burn any bridges and have your son keep in touch with those programs that continue to communicate with him or may reach out to him.  He should tell them  honestly what his situation is and his timeframe.  We had a number of schools tell us in no uncertain terms that we should contact them immediately if things fell through for whatever reason.   Typically, when you get to this stage it is left up to Admissions (not the coach), so the recruit and the Coach are at risk.  Understanding the process and having a contingency is a good policy.  As always, JMO.

Good luck, and please let me know how things progress.

Thanks.  Will be sure to post something when it's decided.  This schools ED deadline is 11/15 which adds to the timeline.