<p>I’m a 2 sport athlete( women’s basketball and volleyball) and have been a member of both varsity teams since freshman year. I was dean’s list in 9th and 10th year but have to work very hard for my grades. I don’t test well on standardized tests like SAT (which I’m waiting on). I have a real passion and interest in studio art (and everything connected with Art) as well as creative writing. </p>
<p>I really want to attend a small LAC where I can compete in at least 1 sport (probably BB because I made the all league team in each of my first 2 years). My counselors have said Amherst & Williams are out of the question because of what they assume will be low SAT’s.</p>
<p>I interview well and will have very strong recs from all of my teachers who appreciate my efforts. Do I have any shot next year at Amherst or Williams?</p>
<p>It seems like these schools - D3 - are concerned with a well-roundedness, which you demonstrate. However, we know not much about grades/test scores/other activities, which clearly affect your application.</p>
<p>Talk to the coaches at those schools. I know kids who have gotten into them as athletic recruits but the sports were high profile. Football for one. But the coach will be the person who will know whether you have the package for admissions to let you in as an athletic admit.</p>
<p>You are just beginning Jr. year, right? Try the ACT as well as the SAT, (at least last year, it meant that you don't have to take SAT 2's, which are really hard.) But consider this, if you have to work really hard in high school, Amherst may not be for you. I went to a very competitive hs, where I never worked for grades, and the expectations here, as well as the academic talent pool is very high. I love this place, but you definitely need to be smart AND to like academics.</p>
<p>Athletic ability can overcome average SAT scores. These schools have slots for athletes. Granted most fit right in w/the rest as far as SATS go, but I think many are given a break if they have super athletic ability. Another strong help is to apply ED. Much higher acceptance rate AND often this is how schools get their athletes.</p>
<p>You may want to check out the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) web site -- New</a> England Small College Athletic Conference for some additional information. Athletic talent can help gain admission if a coach is particularly interested in you and you have some demonstrated talent. That talent may have to be demonstrated beyond mere high school varsity and may include camps, showcases etc. I have had two children who were college athletes -- one went big time Div 1; the other at Amherst. The D1 child had to leave the team because the coach would not permit enrollment in a seminar that met at the wrong time for practice one day a week. The class was needed to graduate with honors. The student left the team one year early, ended up Phi Beta Kappa, graduated summa and went on to the Ivy's for grad school. It was, however, hard to do. The second child at Amherst is as smart but correctly (in our view) chose D-3. Athletics may have helped getting in but it will not keep you in AND you need to find the right home based on all of your interests and talents (academic and otherwise). There also are some books available on athletics and the Ivy League. Read them. They will explain the process. If your scores and grades are close, the athletics may help but you need to start with the coach real early and let the coach (at all of the schools in which you have an interest) know of your interest.</p>
<p>both amherst and williams have relatively limited space reserved for athletes...also im not sure about williams but amherst doesn't interview. I would tend to think that if your scores were within 50 to 70 points of the recommended for the school you would have an advantage, but if they're much lower than that you may want to look at other LACs.... good luck</p>
<p>If you are being recruited by a school and have medium grades/tests compared to their stats, they'd have to want you pretty bad AND you'd have to apply ED. And by medium, I think it would have to be at least close to their 25%. I know of one Athlete who was required to get his ACT up to a 30 or his SAT's to it's equiv before they would "tip." him and that was early decision.</p>
<p>Regular decision is quite different in that you have to have the grades and the scores. Their recommendation or pull is only for those kids that have clearly already made the grade. I can only speak to Amherst though.</p>