<p>Can tennis help me at all in the college admissions process? I am a 4-year varsity player on a team in N.J. that regularly wins our competitive county and goes far in the state tournament. Is competiting in/having a ranking in USTA tournaments really important? Are there any specific schools that you know of in which this could be more helpful in the admissions process than others? Thanks a lot, everyone!</p>
<p>I am part of the USTA and I'm a 4.5. I don't think it'll matter but mention it on your app. anyway.</p>
<p>Unless you are good enough to play for the college you apply to, tennis will be considered just another EC. Showing committment and leadership can help though. And it certainly depends on the college. My son was recruited from some Div III schools (like Dickinson) - he is a 4.5 player, active in section tournaments, captain of his varsity team (his team also competes at the state level). But his skill level was not a match to most of the schools he applied to (Wake Forest, UVa, Richmond Penn State - all strong D1 tennis schools). I think it helped a bit from an EC standpoint - but it was not a hook in any way. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you. But in my part about USTA, I was wondering if you can still get "recruited" or, more likely, have a coach put you on his list, if u don't have a USTA ranking because you don't participate in their tournaments. Any other specific schools/types of schools that this could have a "big" effect on?</p>
<p>This thread might help you on your quest:
<a href="http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=91288%5B/url%5D">http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=91288</a></p>
<p>That's a pretty high profile player in that tennis warehouse thread. You have to be an elite player to get recruited with a scholarship at places ike Penn State, Duke and WF (this kid is likely nationally ranked).
I think some coaches in the less elite programs would look at someone who didn't have tournament experience. Do some reserach by going on web sites of the schools you are targeting and checking out the backgrounds of the tennis players. Send tapes and letters to the coaches of those places that you consider possibilities. Just keep a realistic mindset. Not all divsion III schools are easy marks. Emory, W&L, Middlebury have excellent programs, for example, and it may be very hard to get their attention. Other schools like Drew, Wilkes, Ursinis, Hamilton, and Clarkson might be open to non-tournament level players.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, toneranger...</p>
<p>But actually, I wouldn't consider myself "non-tournament level." I am a very solid player and have been playing since I was very little, but don't play many USTA events. However, I do participate in some.</p>
<p>In addition, does anyone know of specific schools that are pretty high ranked academically that I may be able to use tennis to help me get in? Probably division III would be my guess though. What do you think? I've heard JHU? Does anyone know about MIT tennis? etc. etc.</p>
<p>Thanks again, everyone!</p>
<p>our 3A boys tennis state chamion dominated...state titles freshman, soph, jr. sr years...he even dominated 1A,2A,and 4A state chamions...got fullride to cornell to play...pretty sure he was a 5.5+ player...</p>
<p>espn - i guess it's hard to tell how you stack up to the competition as a non-tournament player. Do you have individual state titles? What is your rating? The really good tennis players at my son's school have gone on to be successfull at schools like Williams, Wesleyan, Washington and Lee, JHU, Tufts, and Haverford. These are usually 5.0 -5.5 players who put in many hours of work. Very good (but not elite) players, gave gone to schools such as Elon, Emory and Henry, Loyola in Maryland. We have one kid right now who is on track for a top D1 school like Duke or UVA - he is amazing. Top 5 in the state (PA), plays nationals regularly, I'd say he's a 5.5 (maybe higher). The competition is very tough - and in my experience, tennis players generally have excellent academic profiles. Many good players on the team (like my son) decide not to limit the application process to schools with realistic tennis opportunities. Club tennis programs are a nice alternative. Good luck!</p>
<p>Check out Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Famous for tennis. They may be interested in someone like you. 7 NCAA Division III championships, I think more than any other school in the nation.</p>
<p>I posted this information on another tennis thread. This D3 college might be a good source of information about tournament experience as it relates to recruiting.</p>
<p>Kalamazoo College Men's Tennis: <a href="http://www.kzoo.edu/sports/mt/%5B/url%5D">http://www.kzoo.edu/sports/mt/</a></p>
<p>Distinctions:
--Sixty-seven (67) consecutive MIAA championships, the longest streak by any team at any level at any time. (1936-2005).
--A record of 408-2 in the MIAA from 1935-2005.
--Seven (7) NCAA Division III national championships, more than any other tennis program in Division III.
--Twenty-three (23) consecutive NCAA III Championship Appearances (1983-2005), the longest streak in Division III and third-longest in all divisions.
--Stowe Stadium: One of the finest tennis facilities in the nation. Home to several NCAA national championships and the annual USTA Boys 18 & 16 Super Nationals.</p>
<p>Momof3--Didn't see your post before replying...ironic!</p>
<p>I think the USTA tourneys/rankings are critical in recruiting for many college tennis programs. You should look at the rosters of the schools you are interested in and cross-reference the rankings and you'll get a good idea.</p>
<p>"We have one kid right now who is on track for a top D1 school like Duke or UVA - he is amazing. Top 5 in the state (PA), plays nationals regularly, I'd say he's a 5.5 (maybe higher)."</p>
<p>Who is it? Our school has #8, 12, 20, 28, and 53 for PA/NJ/DE B 16 Singles.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I was also wondering if anyone has any "strategies" for how often/what types of USTA tournaments to play in order to get ranked, or how well you have to do in USTA tournaments in order to get ranked. In addition, what # ranking would qualify you for some of the higher DIII programs that were mentioned before. I want to let some of my friends know that are wondering about this that are still freshmen. Thanks again!</p>
<p>In addition, I was curious, for myself, if you should put down team honors on your application (example: team winning our county tournament in 2006) etc. Thanks.</p>
<p>Well unless, you're a highly contributing member on one of the Top 20 teams in the state, tennis is going to be just another EC. Colleges will like that you're devoted to it and whatnot. I know for a fact that Millburn is the dominant force in NJ tennis this year...just thought I'd flaunt my knowledge.</p>
<p>Thanks, dvlfnfv5.</p>
<p>Yes, Millburn is currently ranked #1 in the state. To answer to what you said at the beginning of your post, yes, I am a highly contributing member of a top 20 team in the state.</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>Are you in the state singles tournament? Do well in that.</p>
<p>The number one singles starter for Millburn is going to UPenn, but he can thanks his parents for that. He's an arrogant kid, I don't like him.</p>
<p>To what extent can tennis help if your aiming for Ivys?</p>