Mentioning other schools of interest

Interested in hearing everyone's take on this.  My advice to my son has been, if it's based on the truth, ok to answer.  I realize everyone talks ...

Great question! I'd like to hear responses, as well!

I believe you should be truthful.  If they ask, let them know.  It may act as good leverage.  

It's probably important to hear from the panel, why do coaches ask this question?

I believe it's because they want to find out if they need to crap or get off the pot. 

Bingo!!

 

Recruits should anticipate this question from every school they are really interested in and have a response ready. I think recruits should be truthful. Nice if a truthful response includes (at least) a school higher on the food chain, one at about the same level, and one lower.

 

(If a kid is at a camp, the coach asking the question can see the kid and make his own evaluation. If a coach hasn't seen much of a kid but has heard about him, then asking about other schools that are in the mix can help him figure out/confirm the kid's general slot)

I'm all for answering truthfully.  Just know that there are schools that you could mention that could(?) scare other schools off.  Stanford would be (or at least used to be) one of them. There are likely others...especially in certain parts of the country.  I would imagine UNC would be another. If you're gonna answer "Stanford," it shouldn't be a stretch school for you or a "bluff" because you just got an email from them.  In other words, make sure its real...probably with any school.  Small coaches fraternity, they'll find out anyways most likely.

 

One college coach told us when they asked about other colleges of interest, it was to see if other colleges of interest were in the same conference. 

It is an exploratory question that gives the coach a lot of perspective about the recruit.  Within a few sentences a recruit can tell the coach everything he needs to know about sizing up his competition, your timetable, how far along you are, how experienced you are in the recruiting process, etc.... 

 

You may want to rehearse how your son answers this question depending upon how much information he feels comfortable revealing about his situation especially if there are schools in the same conference (as keewart suggests). 

Having a good offer from a school you are interested in, can be a powerful tool.  It can also save everyone a lot of time.  It creates competition and often is the reason for a college to step things up.

 

If the player has no offers, don't expect the maximum offer from a college. Often the recruiter wants to hear that you have no offers or no offers above the minimum. This is music to their ears if they want you.

 

Remember that there are players that every college wants.  There are players that not every  college wants.  And there are players that very few colleges want.  Other than academics and character, this is all based on the players talent.  Recruiters already know the top players are, or will be, offered a very high percentage. It still helps them when they know who they are competing against. 

 

There really isn't any way around it.  You are either honest, evasive, or untruthful. Chances are they already know more about you than you might think.  Good recruiters are very resourceful when it comes to getting information about players They have an interest in.  Obviously being untruthful is the wrong way to go and being honest is the best way to go.

 

If you tell a recruiter that another school has shown a lot of interest, make sure that is truthful.  And don't just create that interest in your head.  Interest = offers Or at least official visits.  Once you have an offer, you are in a much better position.

That is good advice.

 

Original post was asking about a response to the question "what other schools are you looking at?" There is a lot more leeway...while still being honest....in answering this question than there is in answering questions about what schools are interested in/have offered you.

If you tell a recruiter that another school has shown a lot of interest, make sure that is truthful.  And don't just create that interest in your head.  Interest = offers Or at least official visits.

Very, VERY important point to this thread.

Official visits can't be taken until the senior year.  You can mention schools that you have taken unofficial visits to and whether you think one or two of them are going to ask your son to take an official visit.  We were told during this process to not mention those other schools.  I didn't understand that advice and didn't ask why.  We decided to be up front with any coach BUT we also didn't go out of our way to give out certain information.  At one school, we were asked and when we mentioned one school in particular, the coach asked us what level of interest we had in that school.  It was a rival school and this coach took this personal.  At another school upon answering this question, the coach told us the number of full scholarships that they had, how they had to divide those scholarships up and that the other institution had more scholarships available.  Still, she hoped that my child wanted to come to her school based upon other factors including the chance that she might get more academic monies.  As you know, a coach can't go to those handing out academic scholarships and demand any money be given to a potential athlete.  

On the "official" visits issue...its become just as important who asked you to come for an "unofficial visit" (or on your own dime) before your senior year when "official visits" are allowed.

 

Deciding to drive up to State U. and setting up an appointment with a coach on your own are probably not worth discussing with other schools.  Attending a "HS Junior Day" in the Spring is also probably not worth discussing...unless the coaches held your son over for a private tour or meeting at their request.  Being asked by the coach to come to State U. for a football game and a tour of campus IS real/genuine interest.  But its still your decision if you want to divulge that information if asked.

We did.  I never regretted it.

My son has had coaches say that they heard he has several offers already; which is weird, because he technically has not. He has had a lot of dialogue, but no true firm offers yet.  Makes me wonder where the info came from, or what the motivation was to say that. One coach acted like he was scared son was going to commit, and asked him not to until Fall. He said they would offer soon. Since we were in town, we scheduled to tour the campus with other assistant.  He said son (2015) should slow down, because he wouldn't offer him until next summer.  What a merry go round.  Interesting though.  

Having just finished this process I can say out of the 7 Coaches we had serious talks with all but one of them asked who we were talking to. 3 of them asked what offers we had including how much. We told them the truth. Of the 4 offers my Son received, all 4 knew who was in the mix & all 4 had spent a lot of time watching my Son play summer ball. I think they saw each other a few times & they all acted with a sense of urgency. The process was a huge learning experience that I am glad is over. I think having all the cards on the table is a good thing & it worked out for my Son. JMHO!

When asked, my son did answer.  I didn't figure it mattered much because I assumed the coaches could get pretty close to the complete answer anyway by working their network and paying attention to the other coaches watching the games.  

 

We chose not to disclose amounts to any other schools even though some asked.  To me, its like disclosing my bank balance or salary.  I just don't find its their business unless I'm filing financial aid papers.

 

One answer to that question might be, "My parents have told me that its enough for me to be able to choose the other school but they've also asked me not to divulge that  information."

 

Just the way I feel about it.  Not judging others who feel differently.

I agree.  I was referring only to the question of who, not how much.

 

B25 ... Did you read Cathi Aradi's book on softball recruiting before your daughter went through the process? She's the guru of softball recruiting. I found softball and baseball to be mostly the same except girls get recruited younger due to physical maturity.