<p>Division III athletes are termed "scholar athletes" meaning they must meet admission criteria that are academically much more demanding, but less athletically demanding than Division I or II. Go to the Division III website for more info about the purpose, recruiting rules. My daughter was recruited by several outstanding colleges. Before considering her, the colleges verified SAT and GPA. In her case, the swimming gave her the "tip, hook," etc. Athletics are no different than any other hook such as 14 APs or 2000 hours of community service or outstanding scientific research. Although she does not have a perfect GPA (3.5 UW, 4.4 W) or breathtaking SAT (2210), she could clearly hold her own well at any top college (as could 50% of students rejected at top colleges). </p>
<p>D is also a very good musician and used her instrument at the schools that had music departments, not music schools or conservatories. The music departments recruited as heavily as the swim teams. Interestingly enough, the music departments did not seem as careful about the SAT-GPA criteria. One top college told her to call them if she was rejected before they had completed their auditions!</p>
<p>The bottom line is display something you love to these colleges (D began year-round swimming at age 7, music lessons at age 6 and would eagerly continue either/both).The selective private colleges, as everyone knows, are trying to build a diverse talent base. Bright athletes and musicians are just as important to creating an interesting student body as are the club leaders, scientists and writers. Most will go on to a challenging profession (in the case of my daughter-premed).</p>