I am a junior with excellent test scores and GPA, and have reached out to some Ivy coaches. One has told me that they could be interested in giving me “partial support” but not full recruit status, since I am a little off their athletic standards but well above their academic standards (235 academic index, around the typical stats for non-recruits). From what I understand the coach would either write a letter of recommendation to admissions for me or put me towards the bottom of the list of athletes he wants. Does anyone have experience with this and how much of a boost it would give in admissions?
With an AI of 235, you are above average from most accepted students at an Ivy. So from just academics alone you will be a contender for acceptance, but with the support of the coach will likely give you an edge over other students with the same academics stats as yours. Even with athletes whom the coach is giving their recruitment spot, it differs among the Ivys which coach has more power/ influence on the admissions committee. Overall, I would say that if the coach is willing to give you any kind of admission support, it will make you standout in regards to admissions, but certainly in no way a guarantee.
I would disagree. You are getting in on your own and if/when you do get in on your own, the coach is likely to see you as a boost to their AI but playing time may be scarce.
Coaches have a list and if you are on the list you are good. If you are not on the list then I would be suspicious of how much any support will matter. Of course it won’t hurt, but it will not change your chances by itself from that of a normal applicant. At least that is my perspective.