Of course there are development kids, URMs, athletes, friends-of, celebrities, legacy kids NOT accepted. I believe it’s a 50-50 chance from the athletic pool at an Ivy but, that’s a heck of a lot better than the single digit admissions rate, that even overstated the average unhooked applicant’s chances of admissions. Some of theses small select schools do not have a lot of seats left by the time those special categories are filled.
One of my kids was a recruited athlete at the ivies and it did not pan out (last minute accept from one after being wait listed, long ag after he was set with his school of choice) so, yes, I well know that it’s no auto admit. I also know that it’s not an easy process for most athletes trying to parlay athletic prowess into scholarships or selective admissions. It’s a nerve wracking process
There is a link on the college admissions scandal thread about a very good tennis player, definitely at some D-1 Level who could not get his sport to pan out. Not even a walk-on at his school, for all his years of the sport. This is not uncommon. My SIL’s niece had the very same experience. The competition for athletic scholarships and spots are not restricted to theUS high schools, and it’s eye opening how many international athletes come into this scene
I do not begrudge most of the special tags that applicants get. But clearly, as the admissions scandal showed, these admits need to be vetted by the AO as opening up the process allows unscrupulous persons into the scene.