<p>I think that it's wrong to assume that athletes who got into places like Ivies would not have done so if they hadnt been athletes. Being a top athlete takes a lot of time. If instead of doing athletics, those students had spent the same amount of time doing some other EC or academic endeavor, they may have made a state or national accomplishment, plus even had higher gpas, which would have made them desireable to places like Ivies.</p>
<p>Stellar athletes tend to be very driven people as is the case with people who are exceptional in virtually any endeavor. If their energies hadn't been dedicated to athletics, more than likely, they would have put their heart and soul in something else that would have made them very desireable to top colleges.</p>