<p>This has really been covered. Here’s another post: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/632814-harvard-catching-positives-athletic-life-will-other-ivies-follow.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/632814-harvard-catching-positives-athletic-life-will-other-ivies-follow.html</a>.</p>
<p>All other things equal, it would be great if Ivy teams were more competitive (they are competitive in squash, fencing, etc.) in more major sports. But, all other things are not equal. On average, one has to dip down in academic standards to get competitive athletes – Cardinal Fang reports that Ivy athletes in the money sports have SAT scores 165 points lower on average than other kids. But those are Ivy athletes who are typically good but not terrific compared to those one would need to “fix” the problem. Schools would need to dip down further to be really competitive. I don’t think Ivy alums would want this. We think it ain’t broke. </p>
<p>As someone who loves sports and played sports in HS and college, I personally agree with jonri: I don’t see why athletics should be favored in admissions relative to other ECs that also take a lot of time and dedication.</p>
<p>In my posts in the thread mentioned above, I pointed out the tradeoffs most students would have to make between trying to be really good academically and playing sports at a very high level. I don’t see why the schools or alums would want Ivy students who are also athletes to have to make those kinds of tradeoffs. I would have opted to play intramural sports only.</p>