<p>my understanding was that for extremely competitive D3 schools such as MIT, a sport could be that hook that puts your over all the other candidates.</p>
<p>i.e. You still have to have a glowing application without the coach recommendation</p>
<p>^^Unless mit has changed, this is not how mit does things. What you are describing is accurate of ivy leagues though. MIT is not trying to fill spots on its athletic teams. Athletic accomplishment is a positive at MIT because it shows that you possess other qualities: you have a lot of energy, are good at dealing with people, are competitive, and are the sort of person that can thrive under pressure.</p>