from d1 to d3 (a transferring thread)

[tennis>>>]

Hi All,

So as of now I am a sophomore playing at a division one school for tennis however was looking at transferring to a stronger academic school that has more options for my major. Basically, how much does tennis impact decisions from admissions from division 3 schools as they don't give athletic scholarships? I have always heard non-athletes bashing athletes saying , "the only reason they got in was because of sports" but even at a d3?

Thanks!
tennis>>>

 

[SStrikerR]

Academics first. If you want to get into a really good school, your GPA so far better give them a reason to accept you. That said, the best way to find out would be to email the coach and also talk to somebody on admissions.

 

[BHiC]

In regards to admissions, athletics can occasionally give you an extra little push to solidify your admission, but it won't make up completely for grades. So if you are on the bubble of getting into the college then the coach can give a little extra help. This is my understanding from talking with several NESCAC coaches and it was definitely in the context of incoming Freshman, but I would think it should be similar wherever you go.

And I completely agree with what SStrikeR said, to get a definitive answer contact the coach.

 

[tennis>>>]

So for transfer students I assume colleges will be looking at college GPA and GPA is what matters the most. Also, when should one start to contact other coaches if they want to start classes in the fall of junior year? Can they contact coaches if they are still playing div 1 and haven't even talked to their coach about leaving?

 

[goran_ace]

Can they contact coaches if they are still playing div 1 and haven't even talked to their coach about leaving?

No. You need to get permission to contact from your coach/AD.

 

[BHiC]

So for transfer students I assume colleges will be looking at college GPA and GPA is what matters the most. Also, when should one start to contact other coaches if they want to start classes in the fall of junior year? Can they contact coaches if they are still playing div 1 and haven't even talked to their coach about leaving?

I believe Goran answered your second question, but for the first question, I would say contact coaches as early as is allowed. Coaches are trying to put together their teams for the next year right now and if you wait too long you run the risk of a team that you could have played for not having an open spot for you.

 

[tennis>>>]

makes sense. I just always remembered hearing that if you are looking at d3 you don't need permission to contact coaches as they don't award athletic scholarships.

 

[tennis>>>]

No. You need to get permission to contact from your coach/AD.

When you say coach/AD do you mean you need permission from both or just one?

 

[goran_ace]

makes sense. I just always remembered hearing that if you are looking at d3 you don't need permission to contact coaches as they don't award athletic scholarships.

Doesn't matter if you have a scholarship or not, or DI/DII/DIII you still need to get permission to contact or the other coach will not speak with you

 

[goran_ace]

NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.3 - Four-Year College Prospective Student-Athletes. An athletics staff member or other representative of the institution's athletics interests shall not make contact with the student-athlete of another NCAA or NAIA four-year collegiate institution, directly or indirectly, without first obtaining the written permission of the first institution's athletics director (or an athletics administrator designated by the athletics director) to do so, regardless of who makes the initial contact. If permission is not granted, the second institution shall not encourage the transfer and the institution shall not provide athletically related financial assistance to the student-athlete until the student-athlete has attended the second institution for one academic year. If permission is granted to contact the student-athlete, all applicable NCAA recruiting rules apply.

 

[tennis_ocd]

When you say coach/AD do you mean you need permission from both or just one?

Find and discuss with your compliance officer (or the d3's). You will need a release... believe they have 7 days to deny your written request.

And be certain to maintain your current eligibility.

 

[tennis>>>]

thanks for all the help guys! Two final questions though...
1. why would colleges deny the release? or permission to contact others?
2. Referring to GPA being of most importance (depending on institution you desire to transfer to) what is the next thing d3 colleges look at if its not tennis potential?

 

[goran_ace]

1. why would colleges deny the release? or permission to contact others?

It shouldn't be very hard to obtain a release. If you no longer want to be a part of the program, no one is going to force you to stay. Restrictions are generally more important in football or basketball and might say you can't transfer within the same conference or to a school that they are scheduled to play in the next few years.

That said, realize that once you start the process, you might not be considered you to be a part of your team anymore. So if you're thinking about doing this sometime soon so you can get on the radar of your next school's coach, you will likely be sitting out the spring season this year. No matches, no practice, no training.

2. Referring to GPA being of most importance (depending on institution you desire to transfer to) what is the next thing d3 colleges look at if its not tennis potential?


Your overall fit with the student body and how you would contribute to diversity on campus.

 

[mmk]

My youngest daughter went to a fairly difficult D3 school in Cambridge, was a four year starter there in two sports, and I think it was her 700+ on all three parts of the SAT, equivalent scores on the SAT IIs, and taking differential equations in high school that got her in, not sports. She thinks roughly 15% of the students there were involved in a sport, and nobody thought anyone got in due to athletics.

 

[tennis>>>]

@goran ace

great help! thanks so much =)

@mmk
interesting... what school in Cambridge if you don't mind me asking?

 

[mmk]

@goran ace

great help! thanks so much =)

@mmk
interesting... what school in Cambridge if you don't mind me asking?

She went to MIT

 

[andfor]

Ian Chadwell is at Memphis now. Grad student transfer I heard. He'll be in their line up this weekend at GT.

 

[ClarkC]

Great news for Ian Chadwell. I hope he can stay healthy and enjoy another year of tennis.