Getting a college tennis scholarship: 5 tips.

[klu375]

Originally Posted by Chemist

Mr. Bill and Klu, Thank you so much for your advice. Looks like it is a good idea to remove "school interest" from the TRN NOW. We will go to watch a few dual matches near home in the spring. I am not sure if it's a good idea to talk to the coaches when they are visiting other schools?

Actually I forgot that your son is interested in the Ivys. Yes it may be more productive to remove schools of interest and put there killer academic stats instead. Some of the schools may be waiting for your son's test scores/gpa and test score/gpas of higher ranked recruits. From our experience different coaches have different recruiting styles - some talk to all high-ranked kids even before they have any scores and some wait.
I do not think coaches can legally talk to recruits outside of THEIR campus until July 1sr after Jr. year.

[Misterbill]

Originally Posted by klu375

I do not think coaches can legally talk to recruits outside of THEIR campus until July 1sr after Jr. year.

You are correct, but a hello-how-are-you-my-name-is initiated by the recruit is ok. Same thing applies at a tournament that the kid is playing in, if any college coaches are in attendance. I think your point should reinforce the expectation that the coach will not say much more than pleasantries

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by Misterbill

Really meant it when I said your mileage may vary. Just something for folks out there to consider about listing schools on TRN.

If you are going to see some duals involving schools your kid is interested in, maybe he should send an email to the coach a week or so before to say he would like to introduce himself.

Earlier the better before the match starts to actually shake hands, of course, and maybe under any circumstances your kid would want to avoid introducing himself to the losing coach after the match!

Thanks again, Mr. Bill! We did notice that quite a few top dogs never listed the school interest until verbal.

We already met coaches from four Ivies at last year's Kalamazoo and Winter National. So, some of the re-introduction may be easy.

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by klu375

Actually I forgot that your son is interested in the Ivys. Yes it may be more productive to remove schools of interest and put there killer academic stats instead. Some of the schools may be waiting for your son's test scores/gpa and test score/gpas of higher ranked recruits. From our experience different coaches have different recruiting styles - some talk to all high-ranked kids even before they have any scores and some wait.
I do not think coaches can legally talk to recruits outside of THEIR campus until July 1sr after Jr. year.

He will take ACT next Saturday and SAT perhaps in Mobile, Spring National if he gets his wish. We hope he will have all the stat by July. He is really preparing himself well academically. We will just say hi to coaches when we see them in March.

[jma]

Hey Chemist -

If your son if interested in the Ivys and you have time over the upcoming President's Day weekend, you might want to consider watching the upcoming ECAC tennis tournament at Cornell http://www.ecac.org/championships/in...ms-Mtennis.pdf

Many of the Ivys are there and it gives you a good idea of how the coaches interact with their players, as well as the level of play.

[NoCalParent]

We also found the summer camp route was a great way to get to know college coaches and vice-versa. Some of the college coaches were more involved on court than others, but it was great for our kids to get to know the campus and players on the teams who are frequently counselors.

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by jma

Hey Chemist -

If your son if interested in the Ivys and you have time over the upcoming President's Day weekend, you might want to consider watching the upcoming ECAC tennis tournament at Cornell http://www.ecac.org/championships/in...ms-Mtennis.pdf

Many of the Ivys are there and it gives you a good idea of how the coaches interact with their players, as well as the level of play.

This is such a great idea! We may spend Saturday there. It takes 4.5 hrs to drive over.

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by NoCalParent

We also found the summer camp route was a great way to get to know college coaches and vice-versa. Some of the college coaches were more involved on court than others, but it was great for our kids to get to know the campus and players on the teams who are frequently counselors.

Brown had two camps last summer that were in conflict with tournaments. But my son played campus showdowns at Yale and Princeton. Really good experience!

[jma]

Those interested in Ivy tennis might also want to look at a new tournament showcase this summer. The info is past the section on the Yale Showcase.

http://www.donovantennis.com/showcases/index.php

I don't know more than what's posted, but it's good that DTS and others are increasing their efforts for college coaches to see a wider range of juniors compete ...

[treeman10]

Originally Posted by Chemist

He will take ACT next Saturday and SAT perhaps in Mobile, Spring National if he gets his wish. We hope he will have all the stat by July. He is really preparing himself well academically. We will just say hi to coaches when we see them in March.

I would take the "we" out of that statement and plan to say hi. Let your son stand on his own. I have heard many coaches complain about helicopter parents in the recruiting process and how awkward it is to tell parents to go away at a tournament. They hope they know better.

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by treeman10

I would take the "we" out of that statement and plan to say hi. Let your son stand on his own. I have heard many coaches complain about helicopter parents in the recruiting process and how awkward it is to tell parents to go away at a tournament. They hope they know better.

Thanks for the reminder! This was exactly what I did at the winter national, hiding behind bushes. He introduced himself to a couple of coaches. At Kalamazoo, I did say hi to one coach because we already met at his campus showdown.

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by jma

Those interested in Ivy tennis might also want to look at a new tournament showcase this summer. The info is past the section on the Yale Showcase.

http://www.donovantennis.com/showcases/index.php

I don't know more than what's posted, but it's good that DTS and others are increasing their efforts for college coaches to see a wider range of juniors compete ...

Thanks for the info. My son chose to play a sectional championship instead of going to a showcase in Princeton last year. No conflict this year for the Yale event. May do the Harvard tournament too.

[tennisconsultcom]

Originally Posted by klu375

Actually I forgot that your son is interested in the Ivys. Yes it may be more productive to remove schools of interest and put there killer academic stats instead. Some of the schools may be waiting for your son's test scores/gpa and test score/gpas of higher ranked recruits. From our experience different coaches have different recruiting styles - some talk to all high-ranked kids even before they have any scores and some wait.
I do not think coaches can legally talk to recruits outside of THEIR campus until July 1sr after Jr. year.

If your kid is interested in Ivy University; he/she can play tennis 8 hours a week (it is absolutely enough) and increase quality of school time. My kid did this; he received SAT 2270 and 800 on subject. He will go to top 10, and he is pretty good in tennis.

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by tennisconsultcom

If your kid is interested in Ivy University; he/she can play tennis 8 hours a week (it is absolutely enough) and increase quality of school time. My kid did this; he received SAT 2270 and 800 on subject. He will go to top 10, and he is pretty good in tennis.

I spoke to a former Ivy coach a few months ago, who requested 16 hrs of tennis practice on and off court, 6 days a week. A few top line players might spend several more hrs on individuals with coaches or additional match play with team mates (voluntarily). My son wants to make the varsity team and continue to improve his tennis in college. He has been preparing for college life, taking hard courses and spending 3-4 hrs daily on tennis training (including 1-2 hrs in my car).

You must mean 8 hrs training in high school. Did he already get an offer from an Ivy? Congratulations!

[tennisconsultcom]

When I write about 8 hours a week, I mean 8 hours a week on the tennis court and fitness with a good coach, plus tournaments, total is about 10-12 hours a week. But quality have to be over quantity. If a kid has talent and a good coach it is more than enough for good college level.

The fact is that many coaches follow a simple rule "practice, man, practice". It is the easiest way to prepare middle level players, but it never works for elite players.

Yes, he already received offers from top 10.

[jigglypuff]

Originally Posted by tennisconsultcom

When I write about 8 hours a week, I mean 8 hours a week on the tennis court and fitness with a good coach, plus tournaments, total is about 10-12 hours a week. But quality have to be over quantity. If a kid has talent and a good coach it is more than enough for good college level.

The fact is that many coaches follow a simple rule "practice, man, practice". It is the easiest way to prepare middle level players, but it never works for elite players.

Yes, he already received offers from top 10.

I'm always interested in finding out what's required... Is he a five star or a four star player? How many APs did he take from 10th - 12th grade? GPA range? Private, public, or home school? Any other extracurricular activities other than tennis?

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by tennisconsultcom

When I write about 8 hours a week, I mean 8 hours a week on the tennis court and fitness with a good coach, plus tournaments, total is about 10-12 hours a week. But quality have to be over quantity. If a kid has talent and a good coach it is more than enough for good college level.

The fact is that many coaches follow a simple rule "practice, man, practice". It is the easiest way to prepare middle level players, but it never works for elite players.

Yes, he already received offers from top 10.

Agree that quality is more important than quantity. 2-4 hrs a week in tournament must have been calculated from (the total hrs spent on tournaments in a year)/52 weeks, right?

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by tennisconsultcom

If your kid is interested in Ivy University; he/she can play tennis 8 hours a week (it is absolutely enough) and increase quality of school time. My kid did this; he received SAT 2270 and 800 on subject. He will go to top 10, and he is pretty good in tennis.

Sounds smart, good fit would be Hopkins and MIT.
( Those graduates are also getting all the job offers now )

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by tennis5

Sounds smart, good fit would be Hopkins and MIT.
( Those graduates are also getting all the job offers now )

I was thinking like you. But the kid has already received an offer from one of the following Ivy schools (top 10): Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, or Penn.

[tennisconsultcom]

Originally Posted by jigglypuff

I'm always interested in finding out what's required... Is he a five star or a four star player? How many APs did he take from 10th - 12th grade? GPA range? Private, public, or home school? Any other extracurricular activities other than tennis?

GPA 4,2; three AP. Of course public school. Physics, engineering clubs; the best tennis school team.