How much influence on athletics do D3 schools place on admissions?

pandajack0 · 10-25-2009, 03:26 AM

I understand that D3 schools cannot give athletic scholarships, but how much advantage does being an athlete have on admissions to D3 schools?

More specifically, I am looking at Harvey Mudd, Pomona, and Pitzer. My SAT score and subject test scores are within the average for these schools, etc., but naturally since these are such selective schools I am worried about getting in.

However, I am a gifted track and field athlete. I am almost 6' 8" (no typo) and high jumped six feet last year, which I understand is used as a recruiting benchmark for some colleges. In addition, my height means that I have the potential to jump even higher with more training, which is significant because last year was only my second year of track and I come from a very small high school, around 400 kids, so the coaching is not of the same quality as you would see at a larger school.

In fact, last spring I received a letter from Pacific University in Oregon about athletics, and after I filled out a questionnaire with my SAT score and GPA, the university sent every piece of mail possible and even went so far as to call me at home.

I have looked at the stats for Harvey Mudd, Pomona, and Pitzer on athletic.net and see that for the most part I would fit right in statistically with their jumpers, and even be especially competitive, ie place at some meets, if I can add a few inches to my PR this season.

So my question is, since these schools clearly focus on academics, will my performance on the field help my chances of getting in? And if so, how do I proceed from here?

ihs76 · 10-25-2009, 06:53 AM

panda: you might start by reading some of the other threads on the board. There's a wealth of information there that should help you.

What do we tell the coach(es)?

has a long post by MJP that outlines the general procedure. I realize that the process at your schools will likely be less intense but it's a good starting point as far as the general interaction with coaches.

If you are looking for 2010, realize its pretty late in the game as most of the heavy recruiting/help is done through ED/EA. I suggest you e-mail the coaches ASAP with your academic and athletic information, and call them in a few days if you don't hear from them.

Generally with the schools where sports are not a big deal, thought seems to be that sports will help you like a good extra-curricular will. With all else being equal, it will help you stand out, so get on it.

riverrunner · 10-25-2009, 10:36 AM

panda, two years ago I asked this question of the Pomona coach, on behalf of my daughter, who is also above the standard for her sport at that school. He said he has zero say in admissions, but would be overjoyed to have her walk on, if she were admitted.

She ended up pursuing other options, so I don't know how that would have turned out. It's OK to ask this question of any coach, and you are right to post it here as well, because there may be other families who can tell you how things played out for them at particular schools, and in your sport.

Best wishes!

Jumper101 · 10-26-2009, 07:00 PM

Generally speaking, it doesn't do much for D3. A coach doesn't really have a say in admissions.

EMM1 · 10-26-2009, 07:26 PM

"Generally speaking, it doesn't do much for D3. A coach doesn't really have a say in admissions."

lat wrong as a matter of fact at most D3 schools. However, at least with some sports there is a consortium thing at the Claremont colleges, and someone who should know told me that Pomona is in the same sports consortium as Pitzer, which supplies most of the athletes. But I didn't pursue the issue, so you should check it out with the relevant coach.

OldbatesieDoc · 10-26-2009, 07:45 PM

Jumper is wrong. It totally depends on the school. The Amherst coach told us he had 4 "slots" for his team, and that he wouldn't give one to our son, but he would give him a "tip",; the "slot" is a guarantee, and the "tip" is a little push for the qualified. It varies hugely by school and sport, but it absolutely exists. Read other posts as suggested by prior posters.

MJP2558 · 10-26-2009, 09:41 PM

OldbatesieDoc is correct. It depends on how competitive the athletics are at the school and if the sport generates buzz for the school. Most of the major sports at athletically competitive schools are also well funded and backed by the schools AD. I can confirm that my son and I have received "slot" confirmation from coaches in meetings with admissions after confirming that he was qualified academically to meet the school standards for admission. Talented high level recruits turn down D1 and D2 offers all the time based on the extensive time commitment, travel, limited scholarship money, and the associated potential for delayed or late graduation. D3 coaches know from experience that these types of athletes can and will make a huge difference in their programs, they also know they can survive academically. Athletic Directors, coaches, and admissions typically always support them with "slots" to attract and secure their attendance when they show interest.

Jumper101 · 10-26-2009, 10:06 PM

Hmm, interesting.
I talked to several D3 admissions officers about it before but they all have said "no, it doesn't do much." I guess it does depend on the schools then....

ihs76 · 10-26-2009, 10:38 PM

I think admissions officers are unlikely to come out and say so. Coaches are more likely to talk about what they can do for you, sometimes indirectly. One D3 coach at a T20 school told us supported athletes applying ED have >80% acceptance rate, >60% for RD. That sounds to me like a lot of 'tipping.' I'm sure if we'd taken him up on a 'pre-read' he offered, we'd have been looking at >>80% acceptance rate. And we're in a small, non-revenue sport.

speedo · 10-26-2009, 11:30 PM

Athletics is a huge plus in D3 recruiting. Even at top ten LACs coaches have the ability to impact admissions on a number of athletes every year. If you are a desirable candidate your SAT scores may be in the lower 25% and you're still a candidate. Among the drawbacks are - it's D3 no scholarships, and you often have to apply ED to gain the coaches tip.

keylyme · 10-27-2009, 08:17 AM

Our local DIII...it's a state school with mediocre academics and not very strong athletics...even gives tips (or whatever). The coach always comes to the local public school games and goes the extra mile to get kids in who barely qualify academically.

DVC Daisy · 10-28-2009, 04:45 AM

MJP2558 is absolutely correct!

You mentioned in particular the Claremont schools. They do participate in this, with different levels of support for applications. From, I really, really want this kid, to, If he/she gets in I would love to have them. They do team up for sports. Harvey Mudd, Scrips, and CMC all form one athletic group. While Pomona and Pitzer join up for the other. They are considered "rivals" :-)))

As far as I know, even with a very top tip/slot, you do not need to, or are even asked to, apply ED at these schools. You do need to be somewhere in the range of the stats for the school however, as they want to make sure that you will be able to handle the academics.

Reread MJP2558's post - it says it all! And it does happen all the time that a STUDENT-Athlete, very talented ones in their sport, do choose to go to a D3 school, even if they are heavily recruited by D1 schools for the reasons that MJP2558 mentioned. D1 and D2 schools tend to emphasize sports (in general!) over academics, while most D3s emphasize academics over sports. For most, it all comes down to the students ultimate goal in life after college.

Also, if you are looking at 2010, you should contact the Coach right away, as they will need to know of your interest, and may want to follow up with you asking for recommendations, etc. Also, if they give you any type of positive response, you will need to make sure and apply to the school :-) however applying ED is not usually necessary - at least at the Claremont Colleges. Also, D3s usually start their heavy recruiting period just after the November signing for D1 schools. So, if you start now, you do have the time to persue a D3 school.

vballmom · 10-28-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

D3s usually start their heavy recruiting period just after the November signing for D1 schools. So, if you start now, you do have the time to persue a D3 school.

That's a really useful tidbit of information to have, Daisy, thanks for posting.

DVC Daisy · 10-28-2009, 01:58 PM

Hope it helps vballmom!

They wait until all of the early signings are done, then they can start to recruit those players who, for whatever reason, did not sign during the early signing period. :-) Gives students concentrating on D3s more time to find the perfect "fit" if that is the way that they decide to go.

10scholar · 10-28-2009, 02:39 PM

^This may be true for the Claremont Colleges, but NESCAC (DIII) schools were calling me back in the spring. They get a substantial number of kids who play DI and fight for them from the beginning (at least in my sport)