<p>I have a few quick questions and concerns regarding Academic Index and recruiting.</p>
<p>Most importantly, I have visited tier one's AI calculator (recommended the most), and put in some hypothetical numbers. I placed a unweighted GPA of 2.6, 30 on ACT composite, and 2 700's on the SAT II subject tests. I received around 200 as the score, which is reasonably safe for most ivy league schools. The question is, is 2.6 just not accepted by say Harvard, and will coaches bat an eye at it? I keep getting information on that the AI is the main tool used by coaches, however I will think that Harvard will not take to kindly to a 2.6 (current GPA as of freshman year). Therefore the questions I ask are as follows.</p>
<p>Does Harvard truly follow a minimum GPA (3.0 according to top posters), or is this rule if it exists negated by recruited athletes. Because if I have a 200, I will be pretty safe for my sport. Not saying that I am going to slack off, as the higher I get the GPA the better, but it will be a relief if it simply counts only for the AI score.</p>
<p>Do coaches give likely letters after reviewing AI score and talent only, or do they consider AP/honors courses, or additional facts about the recruit?</p>
<p>I am glad to hear additional facts on the process, and wish to learn everything possible that I can in order to have a advantage against my competition.</p>
<p>Paul - the AI is primarily a tool for evaluating groups - teams, overall athletic cohort, and student body in general. When you are being evaluated as a potential recruit - your whole profile is taken into account. A 2.6 GPA will probably be a problem moving forward. </p>
<p>You had better be pretty darn good at your sport to be recruited - and accepted - with a 2.6 GPA.</p>
<p>You also have to think about whether you could compete academically at the school. </p>
<p>My son has a 3.36 GPA unweighted, and his AI is 218, which is in the highest category. </p>
<p>And we know of a student who was recruited by Harvard, then rejected because he got a D, then Princeton, then they couldn’t take him, then Penn which he got into. He left after a year for a state school. </p>
<p>Do you want to go through that, assuming you didn’t get saddled with a bunch of horrible teachers and that’s why you go bad grades? Or do you want to go to a college that is a better match for your abilities?</p>
<p>I’m afraid that a 2.6 GPA is pretty much a non-starter at HYP and likely every other Ivy. The admissions office would have great difficulty being persuaded that the candidate could succeed in a rigorous academic environment. Has it ever happened? Perhaps, in the case of a helmet sport recruit who is the best in his position in the country, but pretty rare. </p>
<p>^, How about a 3.0+ athlete, who has the excuse of taking many AP/Honors courses? Because if necessary, I can easily put myself in modified classes and get a 99 in each one easily, but I doubt that will be more helpful than saying in AP/Honors. I intend to get around a 3.0-3.2 by the end of my junior year, and with high test scores, and a good highlight film, I hope I can convince them to take me. I already know that extension students can’t play, so I am basically forced to due everything possible to get in.</p>
<p>Any possible suggestions on what I can do to well, increase chances, other than hit the books, study really hard for the tests, and simply keep lifting iron?</p>
<p>How about looking at schools that more realistically match with your academic performance? I would venture to say that most - if not all recruited athletes - take the most rigorous curriculum available at their schools. Athletes at HYP are very very special - tremendous on the field and in the classroom. </p>
<p>That having been said, on S’s team was a player who had slightly more than 1800 and 3.2 (rigorous classes) and 670 SAT 2s. He was arguably the best player EVER in Ivy recent history. He has continued to successfully display his skills on the professional level. He was projected to be an incredible player during his recruitment (so his top shelf performance was not a real surprise). Unless you can realistically be projected to be that caliber player, your grades will be an anchor on your chances.</p>
<p>Also, all of your academic stats are mere projections - you just began your sophomore year. You have the formula: hit the books, take hard classes, prepare for the tests and keep your eye on the goal. If you don’t hit those goals, don’t panic; simply find a school that matches better to your skill set. Every day, in every way, get better.</p>
<p>^ Thank you, however I am dead set on that Harvard goal. You are right that I am just projecting atm, and all the forum posts that I do won’t change the fact that It can all change in the future. However that player on your sons team, with 1800 SAT and 3.2, just answered my concern about academics that I need to do. I don’t know what sport your son plays, however I am lucky in that football is the least academically rigorous sport (evidence points, I can be wrong) in the ivy league. I simply need to get myself a good highlight film, and get a very high ACT and SAT II score.</p>
<p>I have a 2.6 right now, it is going to be a pain to get it to a 3.2, however it is completely do able. I think I will have a meeting with my guidance counselor, discussing my goal for a 90 average this year, and see what I can do.</p>
<p>I am still on the hunt for exceptions, so if you know any student athlete that got into Harvard and the big league school with a 2.6 or lower, please let me know. </p>