<p>What is a preferred walk-on at an Ivy? I don't care what it means at schools that offer athletic scholarships. I fully understand that there are no athletic scholarships at an Ivy - just Likely Letters for an admissions hook - and these are usually put into play during the early decision process. If an athlete applies RD, has a high AI, does he get any tip for being a "preferred walk-on" when he is competing for admissions against the RD pool?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>For an Ivy athlete - there are Likely Letters, and there is everything else. The degree of support from being a “preferred walk-on” a “recruited walk-on” or just generally ‘supported’ is dependent on the sport and the school.</p>
<p>Is there a difference between preferred walk-on and recruited walk-on?</p>
<p>The sport is football.</p>
<p>There is just no way to know what degree of support is implied by either phrase in the Ivy League. If a coach is telling you that he can’t give you a LL but you’re a ‘preferred walk-on’, you should ask him what is his track record with 'pref walk-on’s getting admitted and secondly, put together a solid ‘plan B’.</p>
<p>Thanks - that is what my son intends to do. Just wanted to see what those with experience could add to the mix before he responded. If you have any other suggestions, please do not hesitate to make them. You can send a pm if you prefer.</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>I second varska’s advice. The phrase or term doesn’t matter nearly as much as what the coach can deliver, and the coach should a a very accurate idea of what that is.</p>
<p>Many will disagree with me, but I think it is fine, perhaps even preferable, for a parent to have this dialog with the coach.</p>
<p>^ Right Sherpa. This can get dicey. You and Varska gave good advice.</p>
<p>I know of an athlete who does not have a high AI etc…yet a coach asked this athlete to apply ED…no LL offer.
The parent was telling me about this and I gently let the parent understand all of the risk was being taken by their student since the coach wasn’t offerring anything than the encouragement to apply ED.</p>
<p>At least with RD this doesn’t preclude the athlete from plan B at the same time.</p>