When to Apply: A Crash Course

Woody Wingfield: Your Link to the Colleges

Dan Mooney and I enjoyed working with and learning from Kelly over the past few years, and I certainly enjoyed helping him to produce “Your Link to the Colleges.” So, when we were approached about carrying on his blog, we jumped at the opportunity to continue the tradition of helping young players achieve their dreams of playing college baseball. In honor of Coach Kulina, here are the first of many new installments to the “Your Link to the Colleges” blog.

When to Apply: A Crash Course

One question that the Exclusive Program staff has been receiving this fall is when to apply to schools, and more importantly, which ones? While it’s a good idea to apply to a few schools before January, there should be a rhyme and a reason to which ones you start with, and when to send in the application.

If you’re looking at selective academic schools, then the admissions process is pretty straight-forward. These institutions have tough admissions standards and low acceptance rates, and in order to have a better shot of getting in, you’ll need to apply early decision. Applying early decision is similar to committing to a college coach, in that it is a binding agreement that tells an admissions committee that if you are admitted, you are definitely enrolling. Most early decision deadlines are in November and December.

Typically, coaches from these selective schools base their recruiting on who can get in, but you should get an idea of where you stand with a program’s needs before you apply. Most times, coaches that want you in their program will encourage you to apply early. I would suggest that if you do have a #1 school in mind that likes you as a recruit, you should apply early decision there. Many schools will feature TWO early decision deadlines, so if you are denied or deferred at your #1 school, you still have time to apply elsewhere.

For all other players, this process will be more drawn out. Many times, the recruiting process will not line up with admissions deadlines, so don’t panic just yet. It’s helpful being a recruited student-athlete, and having a coach in your corner can get you through those application deadlines.

So, if you’re going to apply to schools before January, which ones do you start with? Take a look at your college list and ask yourself the following questions:

1. Which schools could I be happy at, even if I’m not playing varsity baseball? Which of those schools is my dream school?
2. Which schools can I definitely get into?
3. Which schools have I heard from the most for baseball?

While not everyone can play at the State-U they grew up watching and loving, it doesn’t hurt to get an application in, as long as you’d be happy there regardless of what happens with recruiting. The next school(s) should be under the “academic safety” category, to ensure that no matter what, you will have a home next year. A great way to take care of a safety school application it to apply to an institution that features rolling admission. For those that are hearing this term for the first time, rolling admission is an open-ended deadline for prospective students to apply to the school. There is no set time to get the application in, and no set date for an admissions decision. Rather, the sooner you get your application in, the sooner you hear back. So, if you apply early, say in September, you will hear back faster than if you applied in December, when the volume of applications is higher.

Finally, look at the schools you’re being recruited to play baseball at- these applications will depend entirely on where you’re at in the process. Many times, college coaches will simply tell you when you need to apply. If you’re hearing good things and you’re not sure, then it’s OK to ask. If you’re having conversations with college coaches that haven’t seen you play yet, then you should apply to a few of these schools to move the process along. Being accepted at a school DOES help you with the recruiting process, and when coaches come out to high school games in the spring, accepted players will be the first that they will scout.

Remember, the recruiting process is very much a marathon, and it takes many, many steps to find the perfect fit. If anything, your first applications should concentrate on the “sure thing” as well as your “reach” schools. Just stay patient and proactive with the process, and you will find that “fit!”

Woody serves as the Director of Exclusive Program Operations, working with players and parents in the Exclusive Program. His role is to assist all families with questions they may have throughout the recruiting process. Woody is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he worked as an intern with the Cavalier Baseball Team.