<p>I have been recruited by two ivy league schools for swimming. I'm not a great swimmer (sectional cut only). I am a minority. My SAT scores are horrific. I have Scholastic All-American (GPA >3.5). I didn't take any honors course or AP course. Should I consider not applying? Should I take honors/AP classes my senior year?</p>
<p>Talk to the coach. They will know what you need to get in.</p>
<p>And actually visit the schools. Because if you get in for athletics you may be happy on the swim team but miserable in the classroom and socially.</p>
<p>I think you are misinterpreting what recruited means...
Sports like swimming only offer 5 or 6 spots per school per year, so coaches are encouraging to everyone in hopes of some kids getting accepted anyways and coming out for the team. I am saying this because you said that you are: not an amazing swimmer, have horrific scores, and have a weak GPA/course load. If you haven't gotten any offers, then you haven't been recruited.
I suggest being blunt with the coaches and asking them where you truly stand for starters. Ivys usually give little to no lax on grades apart from fball, bball, hockey, and even sprinting for obvious reasons. You will find that truly recruited swimmers have similar scores, grades, and other qualities to recruited athletes.</p>
<p>Maybe I'm confused about the term/process of "recruiting".
Am I being recruited if:
1-the coach writes to me and states that I should consider their school/team
2-sends me athlete profile forms to complete
3-calls me on my cell phone to talk about their program?</p>
<p>SPA: Yes, you are being recruited. Not so much with the letters, profiles, etc., but if coaches are calling your cell phone you are definitely being recruited by them. Still, recruiting can be a little like a game of musical chairs: not every student athlete has a place to sit when the music stops. Call the coach and ask if he has had athletes with similar academic profiles get past the admissions commitee. Ask to meet with one of their academic counselors: each sport usually has one. They can advise you on the senior courseload. Ask him how may people he is recruiting for your event. Ask to see a prospective depth chart for your event in your frosh year. Have they asked you to take an official visit? That usually means a real offer is in the works. Also, you may not think you are a great swimmer now, but colleges recruit on potential and what they think you can do for their program once they are training/coaching you. Most coaches will say things like, "You are our top priority at this event/position" if they really want you. Find a coach who really wants you and believes in you. They don't like to be wrong about recruits so will do their best to develop you into the athlete they thought you were. Aside from swimming, try to pick a school you like and can do well in. College sports are all consuming so you want to like the place you are living and you want to meet people you will have things in common with. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Oh yes, I know several kids with very few AP's and pretty mediocre SAT's that have graduated from Ivy league schools as athletes. HS test scores and classes don't always accurately predict college success. Sometimes it is the amount of hard work a kid is willing to put in that determines his level of success more.</p>