I know there was a recent thread on being “tagged” as an athlete, but I wonder if anyone has experience specifically with Bowdoin, Haverford, Wesleyan, and Vassar. The track coaches are interested in my daughter, her SATs are at the median (1390) and her GPA is slightly below the median (challenging courses, not all A’s). She is applying to other less competitive schools but we are just trying to size up the situation. Does being recruited help more at one school over another or do they basically all work the same? She may apply early to one of them…how much does that help?
<p>I would be interested in responses to this question, too. My son (a current junior) is a strong cross country/track runner and will be looking at very competive academic schools. I think he will be attractive to a number of coaches, but I would like to know how much that helps with schools like Cornell, Amherst, Williams, Penn, UVA etc. We are at the beginning of this process. Karen</p>
<p>I think ED helps a lot. My cousin's son was recruited at an Ivy League for baseball, and the coach told him to apply ED. Once certain positions are filled through ED, the coach has a good idea of what he needs to fill, at least in a team sport.</p>
<p>It differs from to school to school as to how strong the athletic tag is. It also depends on the sport. Some schools with a powerful football program may not care diddly for their baseball or soccer program. A strong coach and a top programs are good indicators as to how much weight the school puts on that sport. Look and see where the team stands in the NCAA rankings, and it will give you some idea. </p>
<p>You also need to talk to the coaches directly as to where your child stands in the athletic list. If little interest is shown after you have contacted the coach, sent in a sports resume with the pertinant stats and an unofficial copy of the school transcript and letting him know the test scores, then, it is a good indicator that he has other prospects he is pursuing. When visiting the school, schedule some time with the coach and watch the mechanics of the team. </p>
<p>My son applied as an athlete to a number of the mentioned schools and I know a number of kids who did the same. For UVA, you have to be a stellar athlete to get out of state consideration as there is a cap on the number of outer staters a coach can bring in--this is the case for many state schools. Also UVA is in a pretty tough league. With the other schools, it varies so much on the sport. I can tell you that my son got no interest from Williams because they were well staffed in his position on the team. A different year if they were short, it would have been a different story.</p>
<p>If it were any other sport at Haverford, I would say its not a HUGE pull - but track in the Philadelphia area schools is huge for some reason, and Haverford has a fine team.</p>
<p>I'd apply there.</p>
<p>I am unsure about track, but at most schools the coach can have some pull in the "minor" sports (not basketball/football). That being said, unless you are the top of the top, they need you to have close to the requirements for the school. A school needing a 1300 SAT will not admit a competent athelte at 1200, but might be able to get you in at 1280. The coaches do have some say, and if they want you they can help you get in. However dont be fooled by letters. many schools send out letters just to test the waters. You need to contact schools you are interested in. You need to speak to the coaches, and keep up with them. There is always someone looking over your shoulder to take the spot.</p>
<p>Your son should contact the XC/track coaches at each of these schools; most of the schools' websites have a form for prospective athletes to fill out (with vital stats like times, and SAT scores, etc.). Starting in July before his senior year, the coaches will be able to contact him. Most coaches will be very straightforward about his chances at the school, but as discussions develop, you may need to really press some of the coaches to see just how willing they are to go to bat with the admissions office for your son. If he is really an elite XC/track runner, this will certainly be a boost at some of these schools. It's too early to make the contact now - wait til spring when you'll have his SAT scores and more times; in the meantime you can also check the times of the current roster of each of these schools (again, available on each school's website) to see how your son would fit on each of these teams.</p>
<p>For Division III schools, Jamimom makes the critical suggestion. Your daughter needs to hear directly from the coach how the coach sees her admission chances. I know at some schools certain athletes are directed to apply ED, usually with some assurance of acceptance. In this way the coach knows that the student will be coming to the school, and feels more comfortable about tagging the student with admissions.</p>
<p>Div I is a different story, and the Ivies have a different set of policies than the other Div I schools.</p>