<p>I think as parents of athletes at selective schools we need to own the fact that our kids can compete academically; however, without their sport, their chances of getting in would have been less. They certainly wouldn’t have been guaranteed a spot in October of their senior year! But these students bring incredible “added value” by being willing to represent their college on the field of play, giving up hundreds of hours during their college years to practice, travel and compete, and they also contribute in the classroom and bring home the grades. They earn their places at these schools.</p>