Chances for recruited athlete?

I am being recruited to MIT for my sport. The coach said they would write a recommendation letter to admissions for me, but acceptance is by no means guaranteed for recruits since it’s D3, more like 50%. I was hoping that somebody who has experience with MIT athletic recruiting, or MIT admissions in general, could estimate my chances.

-Not URM
-GPA: 3.98 unweighted, weighted is very high on my school’s weighting system (class rank is 1 out of 400 and it’s higher than all the valedictorians from the past few years)
-SAT: 1550, 800 math 750 verbal
-SAT II: 800 Math 2, 730 Bio (is this too low, should I retake?)
-APs: Have taken many of them (17 total at the end of junior year, very good course rigor overall throughout high school) and did well in all the classes, but exam scores are not very good (only have a few 5s with mostly 4s)
-ECs: Varsity sport, president of three clubs, leadership positions in two other clubs, volunteering and tutoring, etc.
-Awards: Nothing major, just National AP Scholar, stuff from my sport, regional math competitions, etc.

Sorry if ECs and awards are kind of vague, let me know if you need more specifics.

You answered your own question. The coach gives the help he can, the final decision is with the admissions office. At some schools the athletes go to the front of the line if they are otherwise qualified for admissions. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case at MIT. The coaches have a little pull, but not as much as Nick Saban has at Alabama.

I’m curious where you got that estimated 50% acceptance rate for athletes. Source?

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^^^ Actually heard similar for S for MIT (from coach) and Caltech (coach and AD), but the context was, “based on your stat’s (they all had gotten transcript, test scores and senior year classes), our experience with past recruits puts you at around 50/50. We cannot guarantee you a spot like some of the other academic schools that are interested in you.” S’s stats similar to OP’s.

OP, I think you are in a good spot, but not guaranteed. Are you weighing MIT against other schools where you are getting a slotted recruiting spot?

17 AP’s by the end of junior year? Did you start in 6th grade lol? We were told athletic recruits on the list have a 35% chance. Good luck to you.

@DumbYellow:
Spend some time searching through this MIT section of CC for athletic recruits. You will learn a lot.

The admissions committee will consider a recommendation from a coach, but in the end, the committee will need to determine independently that you are a match for MIT. Some have called in the “broken leg” test. If you break a leg or subsequently decide you do not want to play, they want to be sure you’re still a match for MIT.

I too question that “50%” number. Don’t think of it as a number. Think of it as your application needs to be one that MIT adcoms would consider admitting regardless of a coaches recommendation.

Do read through the many athletic recruit threads in this forum.
All the best.

I suggest you apply early round. With strong letters of recommendation from your high school teachers and interviewer, you have a good chance of being admitted.

We had experience with MIT Athlete recruitment a couple of years ago. You should be very aware that coaches have little say in the Admissions decisions.

Daughter had almost the same stats as you and was the coach’s top recruit. She was told to apply ED. Coach met with the admissions personnel to review her application. Her application was deemed “Very Competitive” which in the past meant “very, very strong chance of ED Acceptance.” Her coach was thrilled. (Note: other reviews could have been “Needs work” in an area or “Not Competitive” which meant rejected.) A number of other student athletes in our area, from very good schools also received the “Very Competitive” designation. One high school even noted their athletes “commitment” to MIT in the local newspaper.

Then came ED decision day. She and all of the other athletes in the area were “Deferred.” The MIT coaches were shocked/confused. Not sure what went on that fall with the Admissions office. In the end, only 1 recruited athlete in the area was accepted RD. His stats were good but other athletes for the same sport had better stats (he was not URM).

My hope is that MIT’s Administration has corrected any confusion with its communication to the coaches. I think your coach is probably right that with your stats and MIT coach’s letter of recommendation, your individual chance of admission is 50/50. Just keep positive but remember that nothing is finalized until Admissions makes their decision and you see it in print.

I would strongly recommend that you look at other schools as well. You need to keep options open just in case. Plus, a different D3 school may have merit scholarships available for you. Just remember that you will end up at the right school for you. College is just one step in your life’s journey.

Best of luck to you!