Request for Transcript/Scores

quote:

Question is: Should we send his current transcript or wait to send his transcript through junior year. Also, his test scores are from early in junior year, but he'll retest in May. Should we send what we consider his "trial" scores, or wait for the new test date? I'm assuming these things are sent to admissions, not the coach....

Finally, how often does a coach want these updates? What relevant information are the looking for in the updates?

1) I would send his current transcripts and then send the updated ones at the end of the year. Look for reasons to interact with them on a regular basis imho. The current request is asking for this information now.

2) I would send his current test scores and then also send the updated test scores - assuming the current test scores are decent.

3) I would have things sent to admissions and the coach. Why not be thorough and cover all bases? You might get a favorable response from admissions which you can also share with the coach.

4) I would send the coach updates as often as you have something legitimate to report like an PSAT/SAT/ACT score or grading period results. My feeling is if you are interested, why not show them by being proactive? Start recruiting them and you might be surprised by the results.

The coach is simply asking for this info so he can get an early idea as to what type of student the boy is.

I would not send it to the admissions dept--it means nothing to them at this time---if the coach wants the admissions people involved he will see to that aspect

Thanks. When they ask for season updates, are they asking for news about his playing, his stats, or nothing about his actual baseball season-- only the academics?

If you read into CD's post a bit, part of the message he's telling you is that legitimate opportunities to interact with the coach are a positive thing. Have junior email the coach back and ask that question rather than guessing the interpretation.

In marketing, the former belief was that your "name/brand" only stayed in the consumers mind for 30 days, hence the need to continue advertising. These days, it wouldn't surprise me if that timeframe is considered even shorter. When I was marketing my services as a pro fisherman to sponsors or potential sponsors, I would space out my "reports of events" to them. Even if two pieces of positive and relevant news came out the same day, I would send them two weeks apart. It gives the impression that you are constantly doing something positive. My only word of caution, is to make sure that the correspondence is genuinely relevant, otherwise the coach may not pay attention when you send something of true value.

Look for reasons to interact with them on a regular basis imho.

Got it. Many thanks!

TR is right. Send it to the coach and he will deal with admissions.
I had a player ignore that advice because he thought his 96% average would get him into UBC. He got the shock of his life when he got turned down. Turns out that was a typical % in the course he was taking. There were many more applicants than spots. If he had the coach deal with it he might have got in.
The coach will let you know if he wants further interaction. They usually give you their cell #.

Again this stresses the importance of grades. I would assume the college coach is interested in your son's transcripts to determine if he meets that schools academic standards.

Talking to son's previous high school coach recently about a couple of seniors this year that were being looked at by several colleges. Once the college coaches found out the 2 players had a little over a 2.0 gpa they quickly lost interest.

But, on a positive note quillgirl, it means they are interested in your son. Congrats and good luck.

In this day and age 2.0 GPA"S can be a huge problem for admissions

quote:

Originally posted by CPLZ:

My only word of caution, is to make sure that the correspondence is genuinely relevant, otherwise the coach may not pay attention when you send something of true value.

Great point CPLZ.

This kinda reminded me when I read it about the boy who cried wolf. After a while, the coach will just see it and look right past it because the other "info" really lacked substance last time, etc.

2.0s? ouch. hard to overcome, unless you manage a 2400 SAT, but maybe not even then.

quillgirl -

The coach has to turn around and "sell" your son to admissions and determine whether he will further recruit your son. Give him the ammunition he needs. You might consider withholding very low PSAT scores, if they would not project well, and instead just send his current grades and then his SAT scores when he takes it in March, May or June. Meanwhile, make sure he takes an SAT review course to maximize his score.

There is a great deal of pressure on coaches to only recruit kids who they can predict will be successful in college. Make the point to your son that grades and test scores do matter, and he should work constantly to improve or his baseball options may be limited.

quote:

There is a great deal of pressure on coaches to only recruit kids who they can predict will be successful in college. Make the point to your son that grades and test scores do matter, and he should work constantly to improve or his baseball options may be limited.

That's a good point and a reality today. Benchmarks are set by schools a they're set for a reason. Those marks are researched and concluded as the low marks that students can have and still successfully complete the educational requirements of that school. Contrary to what many think, coaches don't "wheel and deal" in baseball with admissions. You might be able to have "acceptions".. maybe one.. maybe two but those are still guys that are very near the marks already set. It does a coach no good to bring in a student-athlete who is well below the marks. He's setting his program up for academic failure that way. With the added pressure on apr and scholarship penalties in no way will they be begging with admissions anymore.

TR is right on about sending it to admissions. No need. When a coach gets your transcript he prints off a copy and immediately sends them over to get evaluated. Admissions works directly with the athletic coaches to give them an idea of acceptance and possible academic scholarship that the student might receive.

Thanks. I think we are in the safe zone for most schools in terms of GPA and SAT. (OK maybe not Harvard.) He's a good student, so I can't see him sliding.

In addition to the baseball coach, he has contacted the head of microbiology to talk about current research in the department and ask for guidance on an independent study he'll do during his senior year. Did that on his own without talking to mom or dad, then gleefully told us the Prof had been very helpful and interesting to chat with. Nice of they guy.

a biology prospect. LOL!
:-)

danny


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