<p>Could anybody provide me some insight into the academic pre-read process? What would you say are the minimum standards for that admissions 'green light'? I'm familiar with the Academic Index for Ivy League schools and I wonder if the pre-read just about finding that number?</p>
<p>*If the pre-read is just about finding that number?</p>
<p>A formal pre-read (test scores, transcripts through jr. year and senior schedule) is more comprehensive than just calculating an AI number. The required standards are gong to vary from school to school. Also, remember that passing the pre-read just means that you’re ‘in the ballpark’ to continue the recruiting relationship. Final acceptance depends on the full ap with essays, recs, etc.</p>
<p>Thank you, varska! I’m trying to get a better sense of where that ballpark lies, specifically for Brown University. I know that the final decision at these schools often does not come down to raw numbers, but I would be interested to know how well a recruit would have to perform on SATs and in the classroom to be considered a viable candidate for admission.</p>
<p>Ian123 … the answer really does vary for different sports. In general - football hockey lacrosse and basketball have the most leeway in terms of SATS that can significantly vary from the school norms. Even then the “wiggle room” depends on both position and the athletic ability you are coming in with. The more you vary from the school’s median stats; the more an athlete is expected to bring to the table.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about crew so can’t speak to your ability there; however if you’ve had a 770 on a bio subject test and are scoring 2100-2200 on SAT practice tests and can pull that out on the real thing this year - your scores won’t be a problem if you are otherwise a great crew recruit. Ivies love crew.</p>
<p>Thank you ChicagoMama! My worry right now is about grades; I’m in about the top 25% of my class (although my school doesn’t officially rank) at a competitive school. I have all As and Bs in a tough AP/honors curriculum, but I worry that those Bs will be a stumbling block… Is it possible that my test scores can HELP balance out a less-than-perfect transcript? (I emphasize “help” because I know admissions departments still weigh grades more heavily than standardized test scores)</p>
<p>For the Ivys as a recruited athelete your test scores will weight more heavily than your gpa, at least in terms of your academic index. I wouldn’t worry too much about B’s, especially if you are taking the most rigorous curriculum available at your school</p>
<p>Our experience was exactly as Ohiodad51 suggests. Standardized tests were the most important followed by his academic performance in AP classes, dual enrollment and honors classes. </p>
<p>Pre-read is just the beginning of the Ivy Admissions gauntlet. My impression was that ivy admission committees looked very closely to see if a recruit challenged himself/herself in the classroom. Some recruits can get in on their own and others need the coaches help. Then the question becomes is the coach willing to help, and how much can he help because he can only help so many. </p>
<p>ian123, from what I have read of your previous posts, if your scores line up with 700s and above, you are in a very good position; however for crew your gpa will also be expected to be up there with your scores. This is not to say that you need a 4.0, but with crew in general - unless you’ve gone to the junior olympics - you’re expected to bring the whole package. A gpa under 3.5 even in a challenging curriculum could be a hurdle, so that’s your cue to try to move that hurdle out of your way as much as possible.</p>
<p>The good news is that as a rising junior you have the most important year still ahead of you to do as much as you can to push yourself ahead. Your gpa is largely a function of what you put into school every single day, not like one single SAT test day. Do your best and you’ll have less to wonder about when it comes time to see where your application takes you.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your help on this! This is certainly a stressful time of year… I’ll be sure to let you know how everything turns out.</p>
<p>Ian – don’t worry too much about the B grades, especially if you’re in the top 25% of your class and have good SAT scores. Yes, admission admits and you have to submit the whole app with essays and recs, but savvy coaches ought to be able to tell you if they think your stats – and for recruited athletes that’s what it mostly comes down to – are going to pass muster. If they are recruiting you and talking about LL then they already want you. At this point they are looking for red flags. Your essays and recs aren’t going to get you in, but if they’re really bad they might keep you out. A few B grades in an otherwise good app aren’t red flags. Good luck.</p>
<p>So what are the red flags they’re looking for? Would it have to be something like a C or a 550 Math score (or something of that nature) that would give a recruit the ‘red light’?</p>
<p>No, it’s not a C or a 550. By the time they’re recruiting you and talking about a LL they know those things. Hasnt’t Brown’s coach already seen your transcripts? My Ivy kid’s coach got transcripts and test scores shortly after initial contact. In our experience at Ivies, Nescacs and Stanford the numbers were asked for shortly after the recruiting began in late soph, early jr year. All testing done by Christmas jr year and AI was in mid 220s. Maybe crew recruits much later and differently. The red flags are character issues that are brought out in LoRs, dean’s letters, advisor’s letters, etc.</p>
<p>Yes, all of the coaches I have spoken to have seen my transcripts and scores, and not raised any significant issues. I suppose a better question for me to ask would be this: how good a sense do coaches have of their schools’ admissions policies? Will they send an application for a pre-read only if they are confident that it will be green lighted?</p>
<p>That is really impossible to say in general terms. Some coaches have been working with the same ADs and admissions committee for a long time. Others may be new in the job, or there is a new “broom” in the administration. Ask. See what they say. </p>
<p>^^ Exactly. Savvy, successful, long term coaches can’t promise and then not deliver. When my kid was recruited she got an email from the coach saying that kid would get full support with admissions and would get a LL and that so long as grades did not drop and no character issues were raised and interview went well there would be no problems. Ian, if the coach says they are taking your file for a pre read then you can breath somewhat easier, but of course you won’t until you have a LL, and that’s understandable. My kid didn’t either.</p>
<p>The other thing that I think comes into play with all this is your ability to play and your ability to pay. They don’t waste many recruiting spots or LLs on people who don’t measure up ( though they absolutely know that some recruits will never contribute in competition) but if you’re going to be super valuable to the team from the get go they will do a lot for you. If you’re merely adequate then your grades and your ability to pay probably need to be quite close to non hooked admissions. That’s just my observation based on conversations with my kid and teammates and an asst coach who does most of the recruiting.</p>