Athletes have such an edge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m OP and it isn’t a fake story….at least on my end. Someone said that it’s possible the kid’s mom lied to me. That is possible but I didn’t think likely. We’ve been friends a long time and she shares good and bad stuff about her kids.

OP there is a difference between the coach offering their support to a player and admissions. There is a whole NCAA process that needs to be followed by schools. Giving your friend the benefit of the doubt, she sounds like she is either uneducated about the process or didn't convey it well to you.

That said your jealousy is not a good look. I guarantee you her DC put in 3-5 hours a day in season and 2+ hours a day in the off season and also got their homework done. It's not news that schools want kids who excel in another area in addition to academics.

This. So many parents don’t understand that non-academic activities are more valuable in the college application process because they show that a student can excel in both: it shows that the student can do well in academics while spending a large amount of time doing something completely different.

Academic activities are not quite as valuable in the process because they usually involve doing some of the same things the student is doing in school. So, the student excels in academics while doing more academics outside of school. Nice, and impressive, but not nearly as impressive as the student who excels in academics while doing something completely different for hours every day.

I just don’t understand why it is so difficult for parents to understand why this is so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I highly doubt student athletes are being offered college admission without applying.

My DC is nationally ranked in their sport and attends a test-in magnet program with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. DC spends 99% of the day working on schoolwork or getting better at the sport they compete in. There are many athletes in a similar position. Frankly, schools like athletes-it shows their level of commitment and perseverance.

What sport? I played on a high school with a guy who ended up playing basketball at UNC. Coaches recruiting him asked what his GPA and SAT were and then offered him a spot. No admissions officer at those schools was going to tell a mens basketball coach no for a kid who met the minimum requirements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I highly doubt student athletes are being offered college admission without applying.

My DC is nationally ranked in their sport and attends a test-in magnet program with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. DC spends 99% of the day working on schoolwork or getting better at the sport they compete in. There are many athletes in a similar position. Frankly, schools like athletes-it shows their level of commitment and perseverance.

What sport? I played on a high school with a guy who ended up playing basketball at UNC. Coaches recruiting him asked what his GPA and SAT were and then offered him a spot. No admissions officer at those schools was going to tell a mens basketball coach no for a kid who met the minimum requirements.

Only happens with revenue producing sports like basketball or football. Non-revenue producing sports do not have that luxury. DI coaches have some pull due to emphasis on athletics at those schools. Some high academic DIII schools, the coaches don't have much of a say. Friend's son was being recruited for lacrosse at high academic DIII school, pre-read went well (academic appeared to be a nice fit). The kid received a outright rejection for early decision (family was very shocked!) The coach called a few minutes later to congratulate the kid (thinking he was admitted) only to find out he was rejected! So it is not always so smooth for athletes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I highly doubt student athletes are being offered college admission without applying.

My DC is nationally ranked in their sport and attends a test-in magnet program with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. DC spends 99% of the day working on schoolwork or getting better at the sport they compete in. There are many athletes in a similar position. Frankly, schools like athletes-it shows their level of commitment and perseverance.

What sport? I played on a high school with a guy who ended up playing basketball at UNC. Coaches recruiting him asked what his GPA and SAT were and then offered him a spot. No admissions officer at those schools was going to tell a mens basketball coach no for a kid who met the minimum requirements.

DP. For the 100th time there is a massive difference between DI and DIII recruitment, between different sports, between specific schools, and between numerous other factors, too many to list. The problem with these "the athletes have it easy" threads and with responses like the one just above about the UNC basketball player is that it presents generalizations as gospel. Stop with the generalizations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I highly doubt student athletes are being offered college admission without applying.

My DC is nationally ranked in their sport and attends a test-in magnet program with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. DC spends 99% of the day working on schoolwork or getting better at the sport they compete in. There are many athletes in a similar position. Frankly, schools like athletes-it shows their level of commitment and perseverance.

What sport? I played on a high school with a guy who ended up playing basketball at UNC. Coaches recruiting him asked what his GPA and SAT were and then offered him a spot. No admissions officer at those schools was going to tell a mens basketball coach no for a kid who met the minimum requirements.

DP. For the 100th time there is a massive difference between DI and DIII recruitment, between different sports, between specific schools, and between numerous other factors, too many to list. The problem with these "the athletes have it easy" threads and with responses like the one just above about the UNC basketball player is that it presents generalizations as gospel. Stop with the generalizations.

PP said they doubted there were athletes who didn't apply. If you think that a five star wide receiver going to Alabama is actually bothering to write essays or even fill out 90% of the application, then I have a bridge to sell you.

[Anonymous]

If a circus is trying out jugglers, and one drops no balls but the other drops one, which one should they take?

The answer depends on how many balls each managed to juggle and what else they can do while juggling. If you dropped one of 10 while riding a unicycle on a high wire, you are a more impressive act than the juggler who dropped zero of three while standing on two feet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I highly doubt student athletes are being offered college admission without applying.

My DC is nationally ranked in their sport and attends a test-in magnet program with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. DC spends 99% of the day working on schoolwork or getting better at the sport they compete in. There are many athletes in a similar position. Frankly, schools like athletes-it shows their level of commitment and perseverance.

What sport? I played on a high school with a guy who ended up playing basketball at UNC. Coaches recruiting him asked what his GPA and SAT were and then offered him a spot. No admissions officer at those schools was going to tell a mens basketball coach no for a kid who met the minimum requirements.

DP. For the 100th time there is a massive difference between DI and DIII recruitment, between different sports, between specific schools, and between numerous other factors, too many to list. The problem with these "the athletes have it easy" threads and with responses like the one just above about the UNC basketball player is that it presents generalizations as gospel. Stop with the generalizations.

PP said they doubted there were athletes who didn't apply. If you think that a five star wide receiver going to Alabama is actually bothering to write essays or even fill out 90% of the application, then I have a bridge to sell you.

DP. Yes, they write essays. Not perhaps as detailed as some, but yes, they write them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a circus is trying out jugglers, and one drops no balls but the other drops one, which one should they take?

The answer depends on how many balls each managed to juggle and what else they can do while juggling. If you dropped one of 10 while riding a unicycle on a high wire, you are a more impressive act than the juggler who dropped zero of three while standing on two feet.

Not really. Because, in reality then, the kid with excellent grades, extra curriculars, some mediocre sports, amazing test scores, outstanding recommenations, etc. would always pass the kid who is a good athlete and below the other kid in all other factors. No one is saying the kid with good grades is a one trick pony. He has lots of tricks...being a good athlete, is not one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a circus is trying out jugglers, and one drops no balls but the other drops one, which one should they take?

The answer depends on how many balls each managed to juggle and what else they can do while juggling. If you dropped one of 10 while riding a unicycle on a high wire, you are a more impressive act than the juggler who dropped zero of three while standing on two feet.

Not really. Because, in reality then, the kid with excellent grades, extra curriculars, some mediocre sports, amazing test scores, outstanding recommenations, etc. would always pass the kid who is a good athlete and below the other kid in all other factors. No one is saying the kid with good grades is a one trick pony. He has lots of tricks...being a good athlete, is not one of them.

I think that's the thing parents of admitted athletes don't understand, lots of kids spend lots of time on non-athletic pursuits. They are just as dedicated and learn a lot of the same life skills - but it doesn't translate into needing lower stats to get into a top college or get a scholarship.

I've taught at a handful of universities from D1 to almost no sports, there are lots of perks. For instance, athletes get excused absences when even active military students do not. At the most highly ranked schools, generally, I have found that athlete students are more likely to be one dimensional, their only interest is their sport. They haven't had that mix of activities and experiences that other students have had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I highly doubt student athletes are being offered college admission without applying.

My DC is nationally ranked in their sport and attends a test-in magnet program with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. DC spends 99% of the day working on schoolwork or getting better at the sport they compete in. There are many athletes in a similar position. Frankly, schools like athletes-it shows their level of commitment and perseverance.

What sport? I played on a high school with a guy who ended up playing basketball at UNC. Coaches recruiting him asked what his GPA and SAT were and then offered him a spot. No admissions officer at those schools was going to tell a mens basketball coach no for a kid who met the minimum requirements.

DP. For the 100th time there is a massive difference between DI and DIII recruitment, between different sports, between specific schools, and between numerous other factors, too many to list. The problem with these "the athletes have it easy" threads and with responses like the one just above about the UNC basketball player is that it presents generalizations as gospel. Stop with the generalizations.

PP said they doubted there were athletes who didn't apply. If you think that a five star wide receiver going to Alabama is actually bothering to write essays or even fill out 90% of the application, then I have a bridge to sell you.

DP. Yes, they write essays. Not perhaps as detailed as some, but yes, they write them.

Do you think anyone in admissions at Clemson would volunteer to be the guy to tell Dabo Sweeney that he no longer has the QB he's expecting because the application was incomplete?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a circus is trying out jugglers, and one drops no balls but the other drops one, which one should they take?

The answer depends on how many balls each managed to juggle and what else they can do while juggling. If you dropped one of 10 while riding a unicycle on a high wire, you are a more impressive act than the juggler who dropped zero of three while standing on two feet.

Not really. Because, in reality then, the kid with excellent grades, extra curriculars, some mediocre sports, amazing test scores, outstanding recommenations, etc. would always pass the kid who is a good athlete and below the other kid in all other factors. No one is saying the kid with good grades is a one trick pony. He has lots of tricks...being a good athlete, is not one of them.

I think that's the thing parents of admitted athletes don't understand, lots of kids spend lots of time on non-athletic pursuits. They are just as dedicated and learn a lot of the same life skills - but it doesn't translate into needing lower stats to get into a top college or get a scholarship.

I've taught at a handful of universities from D1 to almost no sports, there are lots of perks. For instance, athletes get excused absences when even active military students do not. At the most highly ranked schools, generally, I have found that athlete students are more likely to be one dimensional, their only interest is their sport. They haven't had that mix of activities and experiences that other students have had.

it's worse than that. Parents of admitted athletes think that athletic pursuits are inherently better than other non-athletic, non-academic pursuits and that athletics are the only way to learn certain life skills like time management, determination and team work.

Then they all love to claim that their kid was equally qualified academically and didn't get any sort of boost from being a recruited athlete.

When their next non-athlete kid applies, then they complain about all the other kids who 'don't have the test scores or grades' that get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a circus is trying out jugglers, and one drops no balls but the other drops one, which one should they take?

The answer depends on how many balls each managed to juggle and what else they can do while juggling. If you dropped one of 10 while riding a unicycle on a high wire, you are a more impressive act than the juggler who dropped zero of three while standing on two feet.

Not really. Because, in reality then, the kid with excellent grades, extra curriculars, some mediocre sports, amazing test scores, outstanding recommenations, etc. would always pass the kid who is a good athlete and below the other kid in all other factors. No one is saying the kid with good grades is a one trick pony. He has lots of tricks...being a good athlete, is not one of them.

I think that's the thing parents of admitted athletes don't understand, lots of kids spend lots of time on non-athletic pursuits. They are just as dedicated and learn a lot of the same life skills - but it doesn't translate into needing lower stats to get into a top college or get a scholarship.

I've taught at a handful of universities from D1 to almost no sports, there are lots of perks. For instance, athletes get excused absences when even active military students do not. At the most highly ranked schools, generally, I have found that athlete students are more likely to be one dimensional, their only interest is their sport. They haven't had that mix of activities and experiences that other students have had.

IME many academics have nasty preconceptions of athletes which lead to clouded judgment with respect to athlete students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a circus is trying out jugglers, and one drops no balls but the other drops one, which one should they take?

The answer depends on how many balls each managed to juggle and what else they can do while juggling. If you dropped one of 10 while riding a unicycle on a high wire, you are a more impressive act than the juggler who dropped zero of three while standing on two feet.

Not really. Because, in reality then, the kid with excellent grades, extra curriculars, some mediocre sports, amazing test scores, outstanding recommenations, etc. would always pass the kid who is a good athlete and below the other kid in all other factors. No one is saying the kid with good grades is a one trick pony. He has lots of tricks...being a good athlete, is not one of them.

I think that's the thing parents of admitted athletes don't understand, lots of kids spend lots of time on non-athletic pursuits. They are just as dedicated and learn a lot of the same life skills - but it doesn't translate into needing lower stats to get into a top college or get a scholarship.

I've taught at a handful of universities from D1 to almost no sports, there are lots of perks. For instance, athletes get excused absences when even active military students do not. At the most highly ranked schools, generally, I have found that athlete students are more likely to be one dimensional, their only interest is their sport. They haven't had that mix of activities and experiences that other students have had.

it's worse than that. Parents of admitted athletes think that athletic pursuits are inherently better than other non-athletic, non-academic pursuits and that athletics are the only way to learn certain life skills like time management, determination and team work.

Then they all love to claim that their kid was equally qualified academically and didn't get any sort of boost from being a recruited athlete.

When their next non-athlete kid applies, then they complain about all the other kids who 'don't have the test scores or grades' that get in.

What a slow thinker you are.

[Anonymous]

All of these post make sense and I am with you in your complaint but the bottom line is that schools have sports teams and, by their nature, sports teams need to be competitive, and to be competitive, you need athletes with unique talents. Get rid of sports teams and problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of these post make sense and I am with you in your complaint but the bottom line is that schools have sports teams and, by their nature, sports teams need to be competitive, and to be competitive, you need athletes with unique talents. Get rid of sports teams and problem solved.

That would affect $$$ and tuition would go up.

Even non revenue sports bring in more money from donations than non sports connected families.