<p>I say you have as good a shot at admission as any other applicant, even if they might have higher grades. Even though you’re young, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders if you’re a) actively thinking about college already, and b) hardworking and focused enough to already be a standout athlete. </p>
<p>I ran xc for 7 years and have played soccer since I was 4; I chose to play soccer at UChicago.</p>
<p>You are right that DIII is without scholarship money. I generally think of that as a good thing. If you’re getting paid for your sport, it becomes a job. You are obligated to perform at your best and if you don’t, your scholarship money can be dropped. In opposition to that is DIII, especially at the University of Chicago, where students play sports because they love them-- not because they’re doing it for the money.</p>
<p>In regards to your main concern about the application process:</p>
<p>Coaches have the opportunity to write a letter of recommendation on the behalf of the applicant. That is yet another person vouching for your diligence and character. </p>
<p>Colleges (including UChicago) look at the whole package when a student applies. Someone who may be 1st in their class and have a perfect SAT could have sat at home for 4 years and done little with their extracurricular time besides study. A college won’t likely admit that student over another with lower academics but a strong tradition of extracurricular excellence. </p>
<p>Also, you might know of a distinguished student applying to UChicago with great stats and think you cannot compare in the admissions process. I would disagree; UChicago is looking to fulfill 1/4 of their community with each new wave of applicants. Having 1/4 of the community with amazing stats doesn’t necessarily ensure that there is a proportionate amount of students interested in theater, or music, or swahili, or community service, or athletics. Being a good student but a standout in one area-- be that athletics or anything else-- can mean you’ll be a great asset to our community.</p>
<p>I encourage you to keep UChicago in the mix, and to contact the coach when the window of eligibility opens. However, I also encourage you not to rely on your athletic strengths to get you into college. Though it will very likely have a sway at most colleges you will apply to, I am a firm believer in the student-athlete mantra of the University of Chicago, as in you are a student before you are an athlete. If you are injured and have to quit or take off time from the sport you love–and you’re at a University that is not right for you academically and/or socially-- you will be miserable. Likewise, the University of Chicago is very academically rigorous, and if you’re not willing to put a greater priority on your academics in college than on your athletics, I’d encourage you to pursue other institutions. [Side note: I think you can be very well balanced with your coursework and your training at the University of Chicago, but I am also a strong believer that my schoolwork comes first. I think the overwhelming majority of those associated with athletics at UChicago would agree.]</p>
<p>Lastly, as I would recommend to any prospective student: focus on your admissions essay. UChicago LOVES its quirky essay prompts and if you can write a strong essay (i.e. something that clearly demonstrates your voice and shows you spent some time and thought considering your reply) you can definitely sway admissions in your favor. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>