Anonymous wrote:This thread is so funny. The athlete hate is so apparent, regardless of school prestige. Many athletes are actually very intelligent (with the grades and scores to boot) AND athletically gifted. Kills some folks to see these talented kids.

Nobody's "hating" on your kid playing lacrosse or soccer at Podunk College. I feel sorry for parents who let their kids make such an indulgent and short-sighted decision. I know, I know "so and so played at Podunk College and is the top sales rep for medical supplies in their territory."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend's son was heavily recruited by an Ivy (well, more than just the Ivy, but that's the relevant part) at a very young age (pre-freshman), and the kid and the parents decided that, academically, the Ivy would be too much for this child to handle and chose to verbally commit to a Big 10 school, which is well-known, but definitely not an academic powerhouse. I was surprised at first, and impressed upon further reflection. They are not choosing the sport over the school, but they know what the child is capable of, academically, and are somewhat setting up for success, rather than failure - and not just buying into a school for the prestigious name.

That was a really stupid decision.

I know a family like this too. Kid will be in the Olympics one day guaranteed, but not the sharpest tool in the shed. He could have gone to any college including Ivies. Mom said to me that he could not handle and work at an Ivy, and that's all there is to it. These kids actually have to pass classes to graduate, unless you're at UNC

Given the rampant grade inflation at colleges like Harvard....where the average grade is an A-......it can't be too difficult to muddle your way through.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend's son was heavily recruited by an Ivy (well, more than just the Ivy, but that's the relevant part) at a very young age (pre-freshman), and the kid and the parents decided that, academically, the Ivy would be too much for this child to handle and chose to verbally commit to a Big 10 school, which is well-known, but definitely not an academic powerhouse. I was surprised at first, and impressed upon further reflection. They are not choosing the sport over the school, but they know what the child is capable of, academically, and are somewhat setting up for success, rather than failure - and not just buying into a school for the prestigious name.

That was a really stupid decision.

I know a family like this too. Kid will be in the Olympics one day guaranteed, but not the sharpest tool in the shed. He could have gone to any college including Ivies. Mom said to me that he could not handle and work at an Ivy, and that's all there is to it. These kids actually have to pass classes to graduate, unless you're at UNC

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend's son was heavily recruited by an Ivy (well, more than just the Ivy, but that's the relevant part) at a very young age (pre-freshman), and the kid and the parents decided that, academically, the Ivy would be too much for this child to handle and chose to verbally commit to a Big 10 school, which is well-known, but definitely not an academic powerhouse. I was surprised at first, and impressed upon further reflection. They are not choosing the sport over the school, but they know what the child is capable of, academically, and are somewhat setting up for success, rather than failure - and not just buying into a school for the prestigious name.

That was a really stupid decision.

Not really, the Ivy does not give scholarships and the kid will end up on Wall Street either way through internships.

Anonymous wrote:A friend's son was heavily recruited by an Ivy (well, more than just the Ivy, but that's the relevant part) at a very young age (pre-freshman), and the kid and the parents decided that, academically, the Ivy would be too much for this child to handle and chose to verbally commit to a Big 10 school, which is well-known, but definitely not an academic powerhouse. I was surprised at first, and impressed upon further reflection. They are not choosing the sport over the school, but they know what the child is capable of, academically, and are somewhat setting up for success, rather than failure - and not just buying into a school for the prestigious name.

That was a really stupid decision.

OP, you are crazily insecure. Why do you care what other parents and students are doing? Why does it bother you that people continue sports into college or after college, even if it isn't a career? You are assuming that parents

I swam at a Division 3 school. I received a full ride scholarship for academics (National Merit Scholar, high SATs/ACTs, 4.0 GPA, multiple leadership activities). I elected to continue swimming in college because I like swimming. It is healthy and I made a lot of friends on swim team in high school. I made a ton of friends on swim team in college. As an adult, I have continued to swim. I am almost 50 and I still compete in open water swimming events because it is healthy and I enjoy it and I have friends in the community.

Sports or dance shoud be something that people do their entire lives. It is important for both health and mental health. You might want to look into it, OP.

The thread has gone off the rails. To the OP: Who cares what your "friends" post on Facebook ? If their child doesn't have discipline, they won't survive 4 years. Maybe then you will feel better.

Although I always hate these "hook" discussions, it is "refreshing" to see someone attack the athletes hook as passionately as people attack the URM hook.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Tufts isn't a SLAC

Technically, although in sports they are D3 and play in the NESCAC (all D3 school)

Two different things. Just because a school is D3 doesn't make it a SLAC.

And although the NESCAC is made up of SLACs, that doesn't change the designation of Tufts as a research university.

(same as Hamilton being in NESCAC doesn't make it in New England)

A friend's son was heavily recruited by an Ivy (well, more than just the Ivy, but that's the relevant part) at a very young age (pre-freshman), and the kid and the parents decided that, academically, the Ivy would be too much for this child to handle and chose to verbally commit to a Big 10 school, which is well-known, but definitely not an academic powerhouse. I was surprised at first, and impressed upon further reflection. They are not choosing the sport over the school, but they know what the child is capable of, academically, and are somewhat setting up for success, rather than failure - and not just buying into a school for the prestigious name.

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so funny. The athlete hate is so apparent, regardless of school prestige. Many athletes are actually very intelligent (with the grades and scores to boot) AND athletically gifted. Kills some folks to see these talented kids.

Same thing happens to AA students. If the students are so academically talented why have the athletic boost? Why is this hook even part of the mix? Not trying to take anything away from students, just questioning the system and the fact that others don't see this for what it is.

If people can own up to the fact that there are multiple hooks that increase your chances - I'm fine with it. But pretending like athletics doesn't influence admission at selective schools AND that parents plan for this at an early age is annoying.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I never said URMs don't get a bump for athletics but we are talking about SLACS where the numbers of AA students range from 12%-Amherst to 3% at Tufts as examples. The axe I have to grind is white folks complain so much about the AA and Latino bump but then fail to own the athletic bump for the same schools where white kids are admitted at greater percentages. I'll drop my hooks if you drop yours.

Tufts isn't a SLAC

Ok. So medium sized LAC. The point still stands with Tufts being one of the best examples of students using athletics to gain entry.

I'd argue its actually a research university.

Regardless, they are NESCAC and NESCAC is pretty stringent. (Tufts also has the lowest per athlete spending rate in the NESCAC).

I'm fairly certain that Tufts will take the best LAX players out there they can get - no matter what color his skin.

This same sentiment is NOT extended to African American or Latino students. See other threads on this forum.

All 3 of my kids played sports at an Ivy or AWS schools. The benefits and opportunities they got as a result of their sports were surprising to me and and plentiful. An employer told one of my children that they prefer to hire former athletes because of the myriad intangible traits they have, in particular time management, on top of those needed for the job. I echo what was said above about the advantages college athletes have during and after college.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how often this happens, it happened to people I know:

Student is weak/mediocre student in HS but plays varsity LAX. SAT's are very weak. He says he wants to go to DIII school and play LAX because somebody he knows is doing same. Parents are ridiculously ecstatic kid wants to go to any college. Accepted despite SATs, promised a spot on LAX team, full pay.

Student sits on the bench all season, can't even pass basic freshman classes even with lots of help from school, drinks parties and flunks out after one year.

Seven years later student and parents are still making payments on student loans they couldn't afford to begin with.

Should have gone to CC but were lured in by acceptance at a university and promise of playing on team.

+1. I've seen it dozens of time. Maybe worse is when the kid is legitimately smart and chooses an expensive craphole (because kid and parents can't let "the dream" die) over an elite college they'd get into with academics.

This thread is so funny. The athlete hate is so apparent, regardless of school prestige. Many athletes are actually very intelligent (with the grades and scores to boot) AND athletically gifted. Kills some folks to see these talented kids.