<p>Does anyone know much about the whole "playing a varsity sport at UCLA" thing works?</p>
<p>I'm interested in walking on the Track team at UCLA, and my coach did just email UCLA today. However, I'm not 100 percent exactly sure if I want to run there, but I'm leaning towards yes. Does anybody play varsity sports in this forum? If you do, could you tell me some of the services that athletes get? </p>
<p>BTW does anyone know how much power they have to influence admission decisions?</p>
<p>I think only recruites gets admission through athletics..</p>
<p>bumpppp</p>
<p>or do people in this forum just not know much about the process?</p>
<p>btw, I know only recruits gets admission thru athletics. I want to know about walk-on's though. If I contact UCLA's coach, how much influence will he have on the admission decision?</p>
<p>Doesn't walking on generally happen AFTER you're a student?</p>
<p>Yea, but my coach has already emailed UCLA's coach since I guess a lot of people from my school go on to play D3's or low D1's athletics so it's pretty common for our coaches to contact the college coaches before hand.</p>
<p>I don't think there is too much coaches do even if they receive your coach's email and frankly I doubt they care that much about walk ons, they are definately focused more on recruites... also if you are good enough you'll be recruited, if not I doubt they'll play any favors to get you in the school just because some highschool coach emailed them...</p>
<p>OP: Many UCLA athletes are recruited walk ons. The coach can get you admitted if you meet the admissions standards of UCLA. Not every athlete who is good gets recruited. Some do not get the exposure they need or are overlooked for other reasons. I know several kids who have gotten offers to attend schools (some on scholarship) as athletes after they initiated contact with the college coach. Having said that, if my memory serves me well, UCLA has a very good track program and it may be difficult to get a spot on the team. Another option you might try is being a team manager... they get tagged for admissions sometimes as well. At UCLA, some are even on scholarship. UCLA is a great school that places a huge emphasis on their athletic programs. They demand excellence and the athletes are under a lot of pressure to perform at the highest level. Be prepared. Once on campus, athletes receive first crack at all the classes (enrolling before the other students), academic tutoring, and personal attention that can be hard for a regular student to find at a large school. Division I sports are grueling and it is like having a full time job where you cannot ask for any days off. Pick your college based on whether or not you would like it if you were not an athlete. Stuff happens and you want to like your college even if you are not playing sports. Good luck.</p>
<p>BTW: any others considering contacting colleges, I would advise a fedex letter including your transcript, test scores, sports stats, dvd of performance if possible, phone numbers of references (coach, etc.), and a letter introducing yourself and stating why you are a good fit for their particular program. Make it easy for them to have all of your information right on their desk when they first find out about you. It isn't too late for you seniors... I know a senior who just now got invited to take a visit for sports to a prospective college.</p>