<p>Take a student athlete who is not a top level athletic recruit but is regarded by the Williams coach as someone who could still make a meaningful contribution to the team. If this student is an academic "match" would the sport be something that would put him over the edge in terms of distinguishing him from the other academic "matches"?</p>
<p>My 2 varsity sports didn't put me over the top. Then again, on app I indicated I'd just be doing intramural in college. Sports and 1490 = wait list for me. I'd also note that at my last visit to the campus I took a good look at students and athleticism is obviously not what the school is looking for. Williams used to have a rep for attracting smart, well rounded, athletic types. But it seems they have focused last few years on smart, and when you don't interview candidates you risk getting the sort of student body they have now.</p>
<p>You will only get an admissions bump if the coach of the particular sport agrees to use one of his "tips" on you. Each NESCAC school has somewhere around 66 athletic "tips" that are divided amongst the various sports. A sport like football might get 14 tips per admission class, hockey might get 6, tennis 1, for example.</p>
<p>A coach uses a tip to get a student that does not meet the typical admissions profile admitted. For example, if the mean GPA and SAT for admission to Williams is a 3.8 with 1450/1600 SATs then he might be able to get an athlete admitted with a 3.2 and 1250/1600 SATs (if the strength of schedule is there i.e. APs, and honors classes)</p>
<p>Talk to the coach--he/she should be willing to tell you if he/she has tips for the sport and if he/she is willing to use one on you</p>
<p>
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If this student is an academic "match" would the sport be something that would put him over the edge in terms of distinguishing him from the other academic "matches"?
[/quote]
At Williams it can definitely help if you intend to play in college and make yourself known to the coach. When you visit the college, make sure you visit the coach. Exchange a few emails if you have questions. If you want an overnight, ask the coach to set you up with a host from the team. You won't get a tip, but the admissions process at Williams is very thoroughly integrated, and they will know of these contacts, and may even query the coach to gauge your depth of interest.</p>
<p>Yes, sports does help; especially if you offer skills at a high level.
Mom and Driver are right on. Follow their advice.
Sports can very definitely make the difference between admittance or not.
But, you must qualify academically.
If you're wait listed, the coach didn't "tip" you.
Signing up for intramurals gets you no assistance from the coaches or admissions.</p>
<p>If you are an athlete who excels at your sport, contact the coach and follow up with visits, videos, etc. Ask the coach what they're looking for.
They may need a catcher, goalie, pitcher, quarterback, etc. for your particular class. If you qualify academically, and the coach wants you, you can get a "tip." If they won't use a tip, try another college whose program my need your particular skills.
There are many qualified applicants with SAT's >1400 and GPA's > 4.0 who are denied or wait listed at Williams and all other elite colleges.</p>
<p>What do you have to offer them that will make you stand out?</p>
<p>Remember; it's a sales process.
You are trying to sell them on your attributes, and they are trying to sell their college to you.
A critical point; you need to excel in 1 area, whether it's arts, music, leadership, sports, etc. to get a "tip" from 1 mentor or coach who will help with admissions. This applies to all elite colleges.
Good luck!
RB</p>
<p>There's also something called a "protect" for athletes. This is used by coaches to let the admissions department know that person X should be admitted if he falls within the school's admissions range. It means that the "protected" athlete will probably be admitted over the nonathlete with similar qualifications. There are something like 32 "protects" available each year to the atheltic department in addition to the 66 "tips," which are typically used to ensure the admission of applicants who otherwise would not qualify for admission.</p>