<p>Read 'Reclaiming the Game' by Bowen (former pres. of Pton) and Levin. Actually athletes at most of the HSCs have stats comparable to the rest of the admission pool. They just stand out (have a higher chance of admission than the overall population with the same statistics). More troubling aspect of athletes is they underperform once admitted and can have a negative aspect on the college campus (helmet sports often equal discipline/drinking problems). As HS kids all you worry about is admission (understandably so) but athletics has more troubling implications for highly selective schools and campus life. Musicians, for example, over perform based on their admission statistics. Interesting read on the philosophy of education as much as on athletics.</p>
<p>While wsox's argument seems logical at first glance, I've also seen studies that indicate that students dedicated to a sport actually perform at a higher level than they might otherwise academically because of the discipline and time management skills they must implement. </p>
<p>For three years my S toiled in obscurity because of the path he chose. He missed out on lots of school-related EC's that he genuinely wanted to participate in; missed a lot of parties, too. He ate, slept, studied, did his sport, period. Everyone thought he was crazy. On the positive side, he enjoyed a social life within the sport and the traveling involved therein that he has found to be very satisfying. Regardless of the college outcome, I know he would make the same choice again. </p>
<p>gracilsae and c_j, thanks for your kind encouragement. I can promise you, whatever you think of student athletes, none of the recruited students I know would be an embarrassment to the Ivies -- S has close friends who were recruited as athletes to H and B who are doing very well at their respective schools and in their sports.</p>
<p>I think a lot of my problem with it is I know someone at Princeton who doesn't deserve to be there but was admitted because he was a highly ranked rower nationally. I'm sure most athletes deserve to be there, like your son, but I just have had one negative experience....</p>
<p>And I can definitely sympathize with your son - between athletics and studying, I have no life either! Go us no-time-to-partiers!</p>
<p>This boy is both stupid and arrogant. My friend who is also applying ED had the same interviewer he did; the interviewer remembered him and said she disliked him because he was a "stuck-up jerk." She said that she strongly did not recommend his acceptance, not that it mattered. She also said that he was incapable of covering up his "I'm entitled" attitude for one interview... Oh man... it seeps through his pores and oozes out all the time, apparently.</p>
<p>Haha I like how he's a legend on this board, I apologize for complaining about him so much because I'm sure you guys are sick of hearing about it!</p>
<p>Dizzymom knows a few entitle-ites. To be honest, that is why she has spent time on this site, trying to discern whether Dizzy-son has a snowflake's chance in a hot place on this journey...</p>
<p>If arrogance is the boy's hubris, then it should be easy to make him trip on it. You're all just too nice to do it, right?</p>
<p>What do you people considered as "underqualified" in an athlete? Just questioning, so no offense. I'm just trying to get a handle on what everythinks a low gpa is for an athlete, as well as their SATs scores and how many honors/aps you think (total for all four years) is considered low.</p>
<p>since we are are past the deadline for ED applications and are all waiting for answers, what sport is your son involved in....and, if you care to answer, what state is he from?</p>
<p>Sounds like there are some runners posting in this thread. Can someone give me an idea of what male and female CC and mile times Princeton looks for in recruiting? Assuming strong academics, too, of course. Thanks a lot. Karen</p>
<p>I feel like I've 'exposed' poor Dizzy-son pretty flagrantly already -- maybe you could tell me why his sport and state are of import? Maybe I can answer whatever questions you have without further embarrassing poor Dizzy-son (who shakes his head when I tell him about this forum...)</p>
<p>I think we all should get in, just so I can see zante bounding up to him with her pink fuzzy earrings swinging back and forth, yelling out, "Dizzy-son!" and running over to hug someone she's never formally met......</p>
<p>I would think the reason whatscooking wants to know the state is that if you live in an area with few applicants, that will give you a little boost - diversity on campus and encouragement for more students from your area to apply if you get in. And I would think P-ton values some sports more than others, but I wouldn't go as far to guess which ones.</p>
<p>But if you're a recruited rower, gaussianprime, hats off to you!</p>
<p>wsox~ Haven't read it, and you're probably correct. Of course, like everyone else, I'm biased. My thoughts/opinions etc. based on my experiences (which is a mistake, I know) with atheletics and admissions. At my school, frequently I have seen students with 1150-1300 SAT scores and average GPAs (3.3-3.5) get into Ivy League schools (or equivalents) via athletics. In other words, these are students who would have no chance at most of the top schools without their sports. But maybe my school isn't the norm and most students in sports get accepted on academic merit too.</p>
<p>haha. Wouldn't it be great for the other new students to be formally introduced to Princeton by seeing a group mauling on the first day of orientation? Haha, good times, good times. Dizzy-son...<em>chuckle</em></p>
<p>lol nooo
I don't want to be pegged down as a bouncing poofy-earringed girl. For the record, I'm not like those uber-girly girls with roomfuls of Hello Kitty stuff ok? I'm actually quite calm...but yes I like hugging people =)</p>