Ivy League Sports Recruiting

[Anonymous]

We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

Suggest you go to College Confidential where there are detailed discussions of the Academic Index and Ivy League recruiting generally.

You are correct that for recruited athletes any other EC's are not important at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

Suggest you go to College Confidential where there are detailed discussions of the Academic Index and Ivy League recruiting generally.

You are correct that for recruited athletes any other EC's are not important at all.

Thanks, PP. Previously looked around on College Confidential and it seemed that extracurriculars, etc. are a non-issue because they aren't really discussed, but wasn't sure -- thanks for the confirmation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

Suggest you go to College Confidential where there are detailed discussions of the Academic Index and Ivy League recruiting generally.

You are correct that for recruited athletes any other EC's are not important at all.

Thanks, PP. Previously looked around on College Confidential and it seemed that extracurriculars, etc. are a non-issue because they aren't really discussed, but wasn't sure -- thanks for the confirmation.

I'll second the PP's post. We have 3 recruited athletes. And before someone jumps in with a nasty comment about athletes not being up to snuff I want to point out that none of our kids caught a break on the SATs; they all all made bench (> 2100) plus >700 on 2 subject matter tests.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 cousins who went to Ivys via the sports recruiting route. Both quit their sport after the first season, but got in the door.

[Anonymous]

I was an Ivy-recruited athlete, although back in the late 90's, and my extracurricular were never mentioned/asked about by one person connected with the college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

Suggest you go to College Confidential where there are detailed discussions of the Academic Index and Ivy League recruiting generally.

You are correct that for recruited athletes any other EC's are not important at all.

Thanks, PP. Previously looked around on College Confidential and it seemed that extracurriculars, etc. are a non-issue because they aren't really discussed, but wasn't sure -- thanks for the confirmation.

I'll second the PP's post. We have 3 recruited athletes. And before someone jumps in with a nasty comment about athletes not being up to snuff I want to point out that none of our kids caught a break on the SATs; they all all made bench (> 2100) plus >700 on 2 subject matter tests.

I do think people often are not aware how your stats have to be in order to be a recruited athlete in the Ivy League and at some other elite schools, especially in sports other than football and basketball. PP, what has been the experience for your athletes? You hear sometimes that athletes in the Ivy League are a completely separate community and feel as though they are looked down upon.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

Suggest you go to College Confidential where there are detailed discussions of the Academic Index and Ivy League recruiting generally.

You are correct that for recruited athletes any other EC's are not important at all.

Thanks, PP. Previously looked around on College Confidential and it seemed that extracurriculars, etc. are a non-issue because they aren't really discussed, but wasn't sure -- thanks for the confirmation.

I'll second the PP's post. We have 3 recruited athletes. And before someone jumps in with a nasty comment about athletes not being up to snuff I want to point out that none of our kids caught a break on the SATs; they all all made bench (> 2100) plus >700 on 2 subject matter tests.

I do think people often are not aware how your stats have to be in order to be a recruited athlete in the Ivy League and at some other elite schools, especially in sports other than football and basketball. PP, what has been the experience for your athletes? You hear sometimes that athletes in the Ivy League are a completely separate community and feel as though they are looked down upon.....

I went to an Ivy (ok, Cornell which this board doesn't think is an Ivy) and the athletes were definitely a separate community but it was because they were unbelievably busy. If they weren't at practice, they were at class or studying. Period. So they generally didn't have time to socialize with anyone besides their teammates. And it was pretty clear they were all academically very well qualified to be there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

Suggest you go to College Confidential where there are detailed discussions of the Academic Index and Ivy League recruiting generally.

You are correct that for recruited athletes any other EC's are not important at all.

Thanks, PP. Previously looked around on College Confidential and it seemed that extracurriculars, etc. are a non-issue because they aren't really discussed, but wasn't sure -- thanks for the confirmation.

I'll second the PP's post. We have 3 recruited athletes. And before someone jumps in with a nasty comment about athletes not being up to snuff I want to point out that none of our kids caught a break on the SATs; they all all made bench (> 2100) plus >700 on 2 subject matter tests.

I do think people often are not aware how your stats have to be in order to be a recruited athlete in the Ivy League and at some other elite schools, especially in sports other than football and basketball. PP, what has been the experience for your athletes? You hear sometimes that athletes in the Ivy League are a completely separate community and feel as though they are looked down upon.....

Not true IMO. I was very nerdy and married one and I agree with the PP. H's SAT was in the 1400s out of 1600 and he had very high GPA.

[Anonymous]

You could probably talk to a college counselor about this. There can be leadership roles related to sports (captain, etc.)

I'd also like to pose that all ECs don't have to be through school or during the school year - there could be some done during the summer. For example I did volunteer work every summer.

[Anonymous]

Had three kids get recruited, 2 to Ivies. This is only my observation but to me, it seems like it came down to first their athletic prowess with regard to their respective sport and getting them past admissions...of course to even be considered, they needed to be in the ballpark (which they were).
With the coach working hard to get them through I honestly don't think the EC's were even really factored in. To us it always seemed like first they wanted them becasue they were good on the field and secondly, they paid close attention to their academics and test scores. After meeting with several coaches and feeling a chemistry with some more than others, when they got down to business it really was all about grades and their ability on the field.
Good luck, it's an emotional process with plenty of speedbumps in the road, but it normally ends up working out just fine. My take away was that things can changer literally in an hour. This one coach from a top school wanted my son, constantly called and emailed when he could,etc....one day he dropped off the radar. Another big time recruit decided to go there and in essence took my sons spot and just like that, after months of "courting him" as a recruit, he just stopped. Finally my son spoke with him...welcome to the world of college recruiting.
He ended up in a great school where he was very very happy. Good luck to you and your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

Suggest you go to College Confidential where there are detailed discussions of the Academic Index and Ivy League recruiting generally.

You are correct that for recruited athletes any other EC's are not important at all.

Thanks, PP. Previously looked around on College Confidential and it seemed that extracurriculars, etc. are a non-issue because they aren't really discussed, but wasn't sure -- thanks for the confirmation.

I'll second the PP's post. We have 3 recruited athletes. And before someone jumps in with a nasty comment about athletes not being up to snuff I want to point out that none of our kids caught a break on the SATs; they all all made bench (> 2100) plus >700 on 2 subject matter tests.

I do think people often are not aware how your stats have to be in order to be a recruited athlete in the Ivy League and at some other elite schools, especially in sports other than football and basketball. PP, what has been the experience for your athletes? You hear sometimes that athletes in the Ivy League are a completely separate community and feel as though they are looked down upon.....

Don't know a single school where athletes are looked down upon, if anything they are looked at as the big shots. Three kids. Three different colleges. One opinion on this subject, athletes as a whole have lots of privileges and perks, they do stay among themselves jut because they are always busy with their sport when not in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

Suggest you go to College Confidential where there are detailed discussions of the Academic Index and Ivy League recruiting generally.

You are correct that for recruited athletes any other EC's are not important at all.

Thanks, PP. Previously looked around on College Confidential and it seemed that extracurriculars, etc. are a non-issue because they aren't really discussed, but wasn't sure -- thanks for the confirmation.

I'll second the PP's post. We have 3 recruited athletes. And before someone jumps in with a nasty comment about athletes not being up to snuff I want to point out that none of our kids caught a break on the SATs; they all all made bench (> 2100) plus >700 on 2 subject matter tests.

I do think people often are not aware how your stats have to be in order to be a recruited athlete in the Ivy League and at some other elite schools, especially in sports other than football and basketball. PP, what has been the experience for your athletes? You hear sometimes that athletes in the Ivy League are a completely separate community and feel as though they are looked down upon.....

Sorry, I was away for a while and missed your question but it looks like others have responded, too, which is good. We have two at two different Ivies and one who will be at one of the same Ivies as a sib next year. Both my husband and I attended a Big 10 school where the athletes were treated like Gods and had just about every privilege known to man; however, we had heard that students at Ivies can be tough critics of each other, and most especially of athletes. So we were concerned with the same thing you mention - that the children would be segregated from the rest of the community and treated like complete dummies by their peers. Fortunately, both of our children have found that athletes are extremely well integrated into the two schools they attend AND that athletes are well respected for both their academic and athletic prowess.

The only small difficulty one of our kids had was during freshman year when one roommate in a suite of six had a very negative attitude towards the three athletes who constituted half of the suite mates. Interestingly, the roommate had no problem at all with the singer/drama roommate. But ... think about what I just wrote. Of six students, four had significant extra-curricular responsibilities, three of them in athletics. And that dynamic (so many students involved in athletic extra-curricular activities) apparently is not unusual at that school. We know because we asked the very first time we met the Dean of the college.

Finally, our kids know they made the academic mark. They don't go out of their way to make it known and they will never brag but they certainly are capable of holding their own against anyone who intends to begrudge them their abilities. Coupled with the fact that their grades in their chosen majors, not gut majors by any stretch of the imagination, are stellar and they are more than able to buttress their contention that they belong right where they are.

Good luck, PP, to you and your child if she or he is an athlete intending to pursue an Ivy or D1 education. It is a hard but rewarding path and our children are thriving, which is all we want and can ask for.

[Anonymous]

Did a sport at an ivy - but a 2nd string walk in, not recruited. Your kid really needs to be pretty incredible to be "recruited" - which is really a push/pull of marketing yourself for all but the most supreme athletes. For the kids who are in that category no other ECs will matter to the coach and admittance - only scores and the sport. And as other PP noted, the coaches are typically courting a range of kids and their interest can nose dive in a heart beat on a kid based on others in the recruiting class, an injury or other factors. Very few kids are legitimately actively recruited. The althetes at my school were treated much like in high school. High status sports "heroes" and even a boost to others (more
Support from coaches trainers etc in academics, services getting housing and all the rest). It's really hard to count on sports as a ticket (I was relatively better in 9&10 and then started getting nagging injuries etc). So just also keep perspective and also keep up or think about other interests when thinking about how to best support your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have no previous experience with college recruiting and are researching options for our ninth-grade son. Recruiting at Ivy League and other extremely selective schools appears to be a balance of just three factors -- GPA, ACT/SAT scores and sports ability. Is the recruiting process really limited to those three? For example, "strong extra-curriculars" are a much-discussed part of a strong application for elite schools, but between playing his sport and keeping up his grades in challenging classes, our DS is not finding much time for other pursuits. If our DS has high enough GPA and test scores (academic index) and the requisite ability on the field/court, how important are other parts of his application?

Not only do they not care about other extra-curriculars, they actively discourage it.
So many ivy league athletes use sports to get into the school, and then drop-out, that the schools want to know that the sport is really all you're interested in.