i think it's bogus. they just wanted to wash their hands of any blame for a screw up in their game.

Posted by tarvolon on 2/23/2013 10:29:00 AM (view original):
Most of those line up with what I had. The ahead ones in particular are pretty obvious. The one discrepancy I see is "I really love your program, but I feel like I need to give each program my full attention before I make my decision. I can't say yes right now. Sorry."

I got this after getting a slightly behind message and then sending more effort. After getting this message, just one more HV was enough to put me into way ahead messages (e.g. "You've sold me. If nothing changes between now and the signing period. . . "). Because of that, I thought it meant ahead, but slightly so. 

However, in the last recruiting cycle in Allen, I got this message, sent more effort, and got this exactly same message again. I didn't even think that was possible (I thought they only updated scholarship messages when your status changed), so I'm not sure how to interpret that. 

i just got this message too.

"Hey Coach, I really love your program, but I feel like I need to give each program my full attention before I make my decision. I can't say yes right now. Sorry."

I think that is behind.    

This is what I have now:

I got your  "full attention" message at 5 PM.   Then sent a HV.

At 8 I got this: "Coach, it's down to a handful of schools - you're on my very short list, but I feel like I still need more information about the program." CLOSE but I think it's still behind.

I sent a few more HV's, at 11 I got this:  "Coach, just following up on your scholarship offer. I REALLY love your program, but I have to tell you, another school looks like it may be a great fit for me too. I just can't decide yet."  I think this is an AHEAD message.

Then I got these at 2, 5 and 8 (the other guy was pumping in his reserve):

2- "It would be an honor to play for you at Cal. Poly Pomona, but I'd also be honored to play for a couple of other schools too. I'm sorry, I just need more time."
5- "Coach, you have a little more selling to do - don't get me wrong, you're close, but there are other schools that have indicated a possible interest in me."
8-"Coach, it's down to a handful of schools - you're on my very short list, but I feel like I still need more information about the program."

I'm pretty sure you're right about short list being behind. 

Made a couple updates to #7 and #14. It seems not all "short list" messages are created equal. 

Also, I know most people say only scholarship messages matter, but other messages do have some sort of tone. "My pops was ready to sign. LOL" is more positive than "I'm not sure about my decision, but I was impressed." If you're getting absurdly positive visit messages but ambiguous scholarship messages, is that cause to interpret the scholarship messages more positively, or not? 

Figuring out all of these messages is a nightmare and I applaud HD for making it that way. This game is supposed to be a simulation of real life. Did anyone take notes on that kid that was a for sure Auburn recruit and ended up dressing up like Nick Saban on national letter of intent day?

I had the weird experience this week of going after two recruits for my final open spot. I hadn't spent as much money on the guy I wanted and had plenty to throw at him. The other guy I was keeping around as a back-up. His messages were not that assuring and so I sent him one phone call to keep him on the line and BAM... my last scholarship was taken. Recruiting is supposed to be hard and the messages are supposed to be hard to figure out.

With that, this thread is the most helpful thing I've seen in the forums yet. Good work!

No problem. 

Tip for your situation: you can get someone to consider you without offering them a scholarship. This is often a good idea if you want to keep someone on the line as a backup plan. Just make sure you leave $100 left over to offer the scholly in case your first choice doesn't come through. 

Oh wow. That is a great tip. I didn't even know that was possible but it makes sense. So, are they as likely to consider me if the spending amount is the same but there isn't a scholarship offer? Like... 2 scouting trips and a home visit and no scholly offer is just as likely to consider me as 2 scouting trips, a home visit and 100 bucks in calls/letters?

I'm not sure it's the same amount of money. You might need more to get them considering you without a scholarship offer. It's also something that depends on player quality. I've had crappy players considering me after three scouting visits and nothing else. But it's also not like you need six home visits or anything. It's a viable option. 

Posted by craigaltonw on 4/8/2013 7:49:00 PM (view original):
Oh wow. That is a great tip. I didn't even know that was possible but it makes sense. So, are they as likely to consider me if the spending amount is the same but there isn't a scholarship offer? Like... 2 scouting trips and a home visit and no scholly offer is just as likely to consider me as 2 scouting trips, a home visit and 100 bucks in calls/letters?

a scholarship offer is worth significantly more than 100 dollars in calls and letters (just like at 10 miles, a third of a HV is worth significantly more than 100 dollars in calls and letters). promises and scholarship offers are easily the most effective tools by dollar - which makes sense, as you can only use them once. ive never done a study to pin down the value of a scholarship offer, but my guess is that its around a HV or something.