Am I Being Crazy?

Athletic Recruits
1

I am a rising junior in a public high school who’s being recruited by 6 Ivies and around 30 other Division One schools for my sport. I am a female, I’ve played my sport for 8 years, I’ve been a varsity starter since my freshman year, I’m ranked around top 10 in my state for my position, and play JO’s competitively…my sport consumes my life.

During sophomore year, I started narrowing down my schools to around 15 which includes a handful of Ivies. I was invited to 3 elite Ivy camps, but I only attended one and got to talk with the coach. I take numerous AP and enriched Classes, I run my own fashion blog, I am in top 10% of my class, and I am in about 5 other extracurricular outside of my sport. I didn’t do too hot on my ACT in June of my Sophomore year…I got a composite of 27 with 10 on the writing, and the Ivy coach said there’s a huge range within where they’d like me to be at for testing, so I’m unsure of where to aim for my next attempt. (sidenote: I got 5’s on both AP Tests I’ve taken so far and normally score well on my state’s standardized testing, so I’m not sure why I had such bad test anxiety…)

The coach flat-out told me that I’m one of their top recruits for the class, based on my athletic skill and academic passion, and made it sound like I can verbally commit once they see my first semester Junior year transcript and ACT scores, that is to say I improve on the ACT. My parents are very happy with this message, alongside my club/high school coaches, teammates, friends, etc., but I can’t get past it.

Am I cheating the system for not getting a 36 on my ACT? I have a very high unweighted/weighted GPA, am very committed/skilled at my sport, participate in other extracurriculars, take rigorous classes, but I just did poorly on my ACT test. Am I being crazy for not feeling worthy of this Ivy League school because of one part of my application?

My parents and others around me say that I’m being stupid to not be excited about the coach wanting me to play at my dream school in the Ivy League, even though my ACT is really poor. I don’t think the test is representative of my academic capabilities, because I maintain A’s in AP classes and get 5’s on the AP tests, but I am still wondering why I did so poor on it? I would like some perspective on what I should do because I really want to pursue academics and athletics at this school but feel inferior for doing bad on this one part of my application. Thanks!

2

First, a 27 is not “poor”, particularly for a sophomore on the first attempt. Second, think about how much higher your score could have been had you devoted even a fraction of the time you have spent on gym floors during JO tournaments (not to mention all the hours you have spent digging and hitting at practice) doing practice test after practice test. Many schools, including the Ivys, understand that bright and committed students often direct their energies to endeavors other than eeking out a couple three points on standardized tests. In my opinion, the really selective schools are looking for kids who show balance. Those, like you, who can excel academically and athletically (or artistically, musically, etc). Third, trust the admissions people. Look at the retention and graduation rates at your chosen school(s). The Ivys in particular have an exceptional track record of admitting people who can succeed in their particular environment. If the coach says he can get you through admissions with your general academic record and an x score on the ACT, realize that he is saying that because there have been several kids with similar stats through the program and the school who have done well. Keep working hard, go get your ACT score, and grab the opportunity.

3

“and I am in about 5 other extracurricular outside of my sport.” These have to go.
Concentrate on getting 29+ on your ACT. Use the same tenacity in test prep that you display on athletic field.

4

Well 28 ACT is still top 10 pct so 27 isn’t far. I don’t think it is okay mentally to think that you are cheating a school that admits you because every part of your resume isn’t the best that anyone is or can be. They don’t need all 36’s and even for non athletes they don’t admit just 36. I find that self defeating thinking, but if it motivates you then fine. Just don’t let it be a weapon against yourself to have that kind of thinking. If you know anything about Ivy athletic recruits, there are standards that you can’t go below by league agreement, so you won’t be admitted if you are below that, so you don’t have to worry that you would be that person.

Also it won’t be the worst if you don’t go to that college and pick another. It won’t really matter. This website has really soured me on the concept of dream school and all the sick baggage that comes along with that term—it is really a dirty word to me.

5

The answer the the question that is the title of this thread is ‘yes’.

I don’t know if this is the right school for you or not, but you’re clearly qualified in every way, including academically. The same drive and discipline that has propelled you to success in all sorts of areas of your life will do the same for you in your course work at this school. You’re not inferior in any way. If you spent your time prepping for this exam instead of doing all of the other more worthwhile things that you’re doing you’d score well into the 30’s.

Let go of this. Really. Just do what you need to do.
Good luck.

Signed,
Parent of an athlete who’d gladly give up points from his very high standardized test scores to be as accomplished an athlete as you are.

6

Yeah, you’re being crazy. First off, most of the kids at whatever Ivy League school you’re considering did not get a 36 or a 35 for that matter. Some did – on their first try, without studying. They are next level smart and they make going to the school interesting for people like you. Others took it 3 times before they got the 33 or 34 that they submitted and that the school reports as it’s average. FWIW, my daughter got a 770M 770CR 700W on her first attempt at SAT – highest on her Ivy League team – but her 3.45 gpa was the lowest. It’s a mixed bag and I guarantee you will meet plenty of other kids just like you wherever you end up. She’s doing very, very well and I’ll be taking her back to school for her senior year in a week. Don’t sweat it. You’ll belong and you’ll deserve it. You’ll also do way better next time you take the ACT and I totally agree with the poster who advised you scale back on your other ECs.

7

Good and driven athletes rarely feel they are “good enough” which is why they excel. I suppose this has something to do with how you are feeling. You can’t do it all but most importantly, you don’t have too. One big time school told my athlete they liked to see the recruits test at 2000 SAT/30 ACT, which he did, but didn’t pick that school in the end because their team wasn’t going to be a national championship team (also why he didn’t go Ivy). He had a 3.9 uw GPA, but he did not take many AP classes through high school, maybe one or two, (could have been none) but I know he didn’t have time to take them. His schedule wasn’t slack by any means, he was two years ahead in math, but APs were the things he let go. And he didn’t feel guilty one second. He provided any school a great package of grades and talents, and you are doing the same. With your ability, you don’t have to sell your soul when you have so much to offer them. You have something others don’t have in your athletic ability. That is your plus and allows you to have something you can “let go.” Something has to give and the coaches know that. Your “let go” to be a rock star athlete may be the test score. If the school is happy with it, then don’t worry!

My only concern in your posts is that you keep stressing what everyone else is feeling and thinking, and how happy they are. Is this the school you want to attend or is it one you feel you should attend cause everyone else is impressed by it?

(btw a 27 for a sophomore and first time test taker is an excellent score)

8

@CADREAMIN Thank you for your insight and support!
I guess what I’m trying is that I really want to attend this school and play my sport here, but never feel like I’m good enough like you said before. I think getting an awesome ACT score would be transparent evidence that I deserve to go to this school, because I am always beating myself up over the fact that some students will just view me as some athlete who only got in for sports.
I’ve been told time after time from coaches/teachers/my parents that I need to be more selfish; I frequently feel like I have to prove something to people, which has probably come from growing up in a competitive athletic and academic environment. I can totally see myself doing well at this Ivy, whether that be staying organized on work load/athletic commitment or speaking out in class and learning from my peers with diverse backgrounds.
Thank you again for the helpful advice and making me feel more confident in my skills!

9

At the Ivy’s there are definitely athletes who feel “less than” because they were admitted via athletic recruiting. My son was one of these…he is a rising senior now at Princeton, engineering concentrator and varsity athlete. And also at the top of his class after three years. Athletes have the advantage of learning to prioritize and manage their time in ways others may not be forced to do. You would be wise to apply some of these principles now. Get rid of the laundry list of EC’s and do only one or at the most two EC’s. Ivy league schools are looking for excellence. Use this time to improve your test scores and athletic skill. Spreading yourself too thin only results in being average in a lot of things. And good luck as you apply!!!

10

I think you have to learn to live with the fact that there will always be someone drawing silly conclusions about you simply because you were a recruited athlete.

11

I agree with JustOneDad. Even if you had a 36 on your ACT, you (hopefully) wouldn’t be walking around campus giving everyone your ACT scores and academic resume to prove your worthiness–so regardless, there will be people who judge you and people who don’t.

The ACT score isn’t transparent evidence that you belong at an Ivy–it’s a hoop you have to jump through to be academically admissible. Kids get into Ivies because they have strong academics and deep passion for something that the Ivy wants. In that sense you’re no different from anyone else who is lucky enough to get accepted.

I’m not sure what the adults in your life mean about being less selfish; as the parent of two Ivy/Ivy-bound student-athletes, I think you might focus on being grateful for the gifts that get you in the door. Recognize that it kind of sucks that others whose gifts and effort may be equal to yours and who work just as hard as you at other passions won’t get in because they don’t have what the school wants. The fact is that without your athletic ability, you would not have all these offers, regardless of your rigorous courseload, A’s and ACT scores. There’s nothing wrong with feeling humble about that.