HS junior athletes, already committed to top schools

[Anonymous]

I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.

[Anonymous]

Yes, this is how it happens. Grades aren't as important if they are top athletes.

[Anonymous]

I’m extremely skeptical that you know several, as someone very involved in college athletic recruiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.

The offers are conditional on meeting academic standards. No junior is receiving a firm offer of admission

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.

I student might say "I am committed", but Ivy offers their spaces through the likely letter process in the fall of Senior Year. Those kids are lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.

The offers are conditional on meeting academic standards. No junior is receiving a firm offer of admission

+1 Especially if we are talking "top schools" though I question what you mean by that.

[Anonymous]

* as well as staying healthy and continuing to perform. My freshman year roommate was supposed to go to Stanford, but blew out her knee the summer before senior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.

They are D1 schools, so commitments can start August 1 of their Junior year.

Understand, colleges and athletes de-commit from one another all the time. The college likely asked for a transcript, and will want academic updates (jury is kind of out if they will require test scores). The college will want updates on their athletic performance...and if the kid gets hurt and looks like they may not return to form...even an Ivy league will decommit.

No commitment becomes official until Fall of Senior year.

[Anonymous]

It's possible that a coach has said "If you get the nod from admissions, which will be based on academic criteria and your essay, and you don't get injured, I will have a space for you".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know of several high school athletes that committed to Ivy League schools just last week. They’re not two weeks into junior year! I understand recruiting and all the advantages that come with it, but I’m struck at how early it’s happened. No junior year grades yet, no essays, they probably didn’t even have to take the SATs.

They are D1 schools, so commitments can start August 1 of their Junior year.

Understand, colleges and athletes de-commit from one another all the time. The college likely asked for a transcript, and will want academic updates (jury is kind of out if they will require test scores). The college will want updates on their athletic performance...and if the kid gets hurt and looks like they may not return to form...even an Ivy league will decommit.

No commitment becomes official until Fall of Senior year.

The Ivy process is different.

[Anonymous]

The athletes are "committing to the process". It is not a done deal.

[Anonymous]

I know of two juniors, already commited to HYP (not stating which) for sports. Yes, grades need to be kept up, but still! I agree, it’s not fair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of two juniors, already commited to HYP (not stating which) for sports. Yes, grades need to be kept up, but still! I agree, it’s not fair.

Committed isn't even remotely the same as accepted. If one of them tears an ACL, they'll see how strong the coach's commitment to them really is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of two juniors, already commited to HYP (not stating which) for sports. Yes, grades need to be kept up, but still! I agree, it’s not fair.

What sport?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of two juniors, already commited to HYP (not stating which) for sports. Yes, grades need to be kept up, but still! I agree, it’s not fair.

There are two sides to this...obviously it is good to know that as long as you hit minimum academic standards and your performance is good, you basically are admitted. However, you now effectively cut off discussions with other schools.

Your commitment is often-times based on your projectability as an athlete, so even if you are perfectly healthy, a coach may decide that you did not progress according to their plan between 11th and 12th grade and they decide to de-commit to you and go with somebody else.