College Coach First Look Survey

[DDG]

All aid at ivies is based on financial needs. Since they consider everyone their academically qualified

Yes. For those of you who are familiar with the FAFSA, EFC and "need", you figure the Ivies are going to cover "need". "Need" can still feel rather large for those of us in the middle class but it's generally doable. The schools can refer you to a financial calculator to estimate the cost online. There is no talk of you can't major in this or that at an Ivy. They are truly student athletes with the student part coming first which can be huge depending on what you want to study.

A little plug here - I'm real impressed with the new Dartmouth coach. All the parents seem happy, the team is performing well and I couldn't be happier.

Agree regarding the financial aid. Don't hesitate if your kid really wants the challenge of D1 sports and a top academic experience. The "Expected Family Contribution" is still a lot, and if you have to factor in travel expenses, it can be tough. I believe it is doable for the average family. I figure if I can make it work with my situation, anyone can. We even manage to make it to some of the home games (on the other side of the country). The educational experience is fantastic and I can honestly say my kid has never been happier playing softball. She is always smiling in the game pictures posted on the team's account.

[PDad]

FAFSA's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is much higher than what most private schools use, so people shouldn't get dismayed by it. EFC varies by school, so use each school's calculator.

[Dugout Dad]

A few weeks ago, DD's team was playing one of the Ivy schools and I was chatting with one of their parents and he was expressing relief that his DD was a senior because tuition was such a burden. He mentioned what he was spending for tuition, room and board and travel, about $60-65K a year. She was receiving some assistance, but not a whole lot compared to the total bill. It appears he made a modest, middle class living. He expressed she was happy but playing in the cold gets old, she was from the west coast.

[PDad]

Financial assistance varies by school. Assets are a factor besides income.

I expect Harvard represents the most generous ones. They exclude retirement accounts and home equity of primary residence. They also expect students to contribute $4,600/year by working during terms and summer. From their Fact Sheet:

Ninety percent of American families would pay the same or less to send their children to Harvard as they would a state school.

The Basics
- 60% of our undergraduates receive Harvard Scholarship.
- 20% of our parents have total incomes less than $65,000 and are not expected to contribute.
- Families with incomes between $65,000 and $150,000 will contribute from 0-10% of their income, and those with incomes above $150,000 will be asked to pay proportionately more than 10%, based on their individual circumstances. Families at all income levels who have significant assets will continue to pay more than those in less fortunate circumstances.
- Two-thirds of students work during the academic year.

Penn is improving, however their stats don't look as generous. From Penn Announces 2015-16 Financial-aid Budget, Tuition

This academic year 47 percent of Penn’s undergraduate students received need-based grants from the University. Most undergraduates from families with incomes of less than $180,000 are receiving grant assistance, and the typical student with family income of less than $40,000 receives grant aid that covers full tuition and fees, and room and board.

[LaderaDD96]

DD Was first seen by her current college HC at Zoom into June On Deck Jamboree in June 2013... She was one of only about 30 Kids in her Grad year... the environment was amazing... well over 100 College coaches from every school you can think of...

DD's team wasn't playing Zoom Into June so the coaches Drove/flew to Vegas to follow her the whole weekend at the JO Classic... they saw her again at the Pennsbury invitational and we did our visit that same weekend... She verballed about 7 days later after offers from multiple schools...

[AcerDad]

I can only speak from my own experience: First look came at a PrepShowcase camp / tournament. I think it really depends on the skillset of the player, though. Pitchers, Catchers, and middle infielders can be noticed at tourneys pretty easily. My daughter is a pretty high-level outfielder, but coaches could stand there all day and not notice her because shes in the outfield.

For us: sending emails with video clips seemed to be the best way to gather attention, We followed those emails up with phone calls when possible. If we felt we had a coaches interest, we go to their camp and its at camps with prior contact where we've gotten the most results.