Chance a Recruited Athlete + Legacy

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
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Sorry if I go on a poorly composed, exhaustion fueled, therapeutic rant real quick…

If you look back in my past threads, you will see I posted a similar question asking for my chances for Princeton about a year ago. I decided to take a gap year and, since then, have gotten a spot in this Princeton football recruiting class. I have sent all my transcripts into admissions as per the coach’s request and am stressfully waiting a response.

As stated in previous posts, my high school GPA was around an 87 on a 100 point scale from an all boys prep school (my school did not do GPA’s out of 4.0). This, as I’m sure most on College Confidential are aware, is an abysmal GPA (I think it’s like 3.1-3.3 range if I’m not mistaken). I also only took 3 AP’s in my high school career… Most of my classes in HS were regular CP. Otherwise, my highest composite ACT is a 31. My highest subscores are a 33 English, 27 Math, 34 Reading, and 33 Science. I also got a 760 on the SAT II that I took. My academic index seems to be in the 202-206 range, depending on which website I use.

EC wise, I was the president of several clubs and was also co-captain of my high school ski team (in addition to being a 3 year football letterman). I pretty much taught myself to speak 4 languages (not including my native English). I also had some pretty solid EC’s in Latin America (I am of Hispanic descent which could also be a hook) as well. I stated on the academics section of the Common App that I am very interested in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs as well as Linguistics and Latin American/Spanish Culture.

Most kids would probably excited about the opportunity ahead of them - and don’t get me wrong I am - but it’s the damn high school grades that are keeping me awake at night. I talked to a few kids that are already committed to Princeton and they said since the coaches asked to send in my transcripts, it means they have a band slot for me, and that I should be fine. But I’m still pretty apprehensive.

I did a lot during this gap year to make up for the high school years and help prep me for a demanding college curriculum. I took AP Calculus AB and AP Biology this gap year and was able to do well (which was impressive considering I took precalculus senior year of high school lol). I also took a couple classes at my local community college and got an A, A, and a B+ (The coach requested me to send those transcripts to be reviewed by admissions as well, which I did). I also worked a lot in a hospital in NYC and a lab in Latin America.

What do you guys think? Do I have a decent chance despite the high school record? Do you guys know of any athletes (or anyone for that matter) who has a similar situation? I do have a few other backups in case it doesn’t work out with Princeton, but I’m just looking for something to calm my nerves and help me sleep for now.

Thanks.

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Athletic recruiting at Ivy League is restricted by the academic index. Essentially if your grades and test scores fall within the required range and you are being recruited, you are eligible to be recruited and the EC’s are much less significant. Admittedly football accepts lower scores within the index (which is allowed by the Ivy League).

Transcripts are typically sent in to admissions for a pre-read early in the recruiting process. It will only be after the pre read is complete that you will know if you are eligible to be recruited. In the meantime try to relax and focus on other things since there isn’t anything more you can do to improve your high school grades. I wish you all the best!

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Thank you @Cantiger

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I’m a little confused. Did the coach offer you a spot in the incoming class of 2016, or for next year’s class (incoming 2017)?

Most of the football spots for 2016 probably would have been filled during the early decision round. Did the coach specifically say he had a spot for you, or was he hoping you would get in and play as a walk-on?

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@sgopal2 It is for the incoming 2016 class and as a recruited athlete (not a student walk-on/“if-you-get-in” kind of thing).

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Your AI looks like it will be high enough. However a lot depends on what band you fall into, and how many other recruits are in your band.

Were you offered an official visit? Did the coach mention anything about a pre-read?

What other schools are you applying to as backup?

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Has the coach been optimistic? On the one hand, your HS GPA is way too low, but I think you said you were the top national recruit for your position (on another thread, but maybe I misunderstood).

Here’s another question - you said your dad and uncle went to Princeton so I’m assuming that you feel affection for it because of them. But are you the type of student who would be troubled by being on the very low end of the spectrum of academic ability if you went to Princeton? Would you be happier at a less academically intense university, especially given the Princeton requirements for junior and senior independent work?

Please do keep us posted.

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@sgopal2 I was not informed I would have a spot until mid-February, long after the final rounds of official visits were conducted. I’m also applying to Vanderbilt, Tulane, and a few non-Ivy D1-AA’s.

@GnocchiB It’s interesting. Some coaches at high level D3’s (UChicago, Hopkins, Pomona) seemed hesitant, while all the Ivy coaches I’ve spoken with have all seemed pretty optimistic. Given my legacy I have given Princeton and the demanding work load a ton of thought. Even valedictorians with perfect GPA’s and SAT’s can be awestruck by the amount of talent there is among the student body. I feel I’m prepared for challenge should I be accepted. And I would be willing to sacrifice other aspects (parties, social life, etc.) in order to meet the challenges and succeed academically and athletically.

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Interesting that Ivy coaches are optimistic while some of the other schools you mentioned are hesitant - clearly the level of work is comparable across all schools you mentioned (though not sure if the others have the same degree of independent work as Princeton does). Glad you’ve thought through the academic piece of it. Back in the dark ages when I was there, I did sense some academic trepidation among some – but definitely not all – of the athletes I knew.

Best of luck and do keep us posted. You will certainly have great options and your terrific work ethic will help you no matter where you land!

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You seem like you’ve got a good grasp of the situation. Good for you. The only thing that worries me is that at this stage it depends on how high on the coach’s list you are.

If you are direct with the coach, he might be willing to share more…for example “Coach, how many other kids in recent years with similar scores and GPA have you been able to get in?”

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There are some posters from the athletic recruiting sub-forum who might have some words of wisdom: @sherpa @varska and @Ohiodad51

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I would say that if Coach Surace told you you would be ok, you will be ok. One question though. When you say gap year, were you recruited last year and did a problem with admissions lead to taking a year off? If so, then I would assume you would have recieved some guidance as to what improvement you would have needed to show this year? Did that happen, and did you meet those goals?

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@Ohiodad51 I was in touch with the coaching staff last year, however they decided against using an admissions slot for my position early on in the process. This year they decided to use a spot.

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Your stats are acceptable for Princeton football - as others have mentioned, it depends on how highly the coaches place you. But if the football coach has told you you’re in, then you’re probably in - he’s a straight shooter.

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Thanks everyone