There are two factors here, one - qualified to attend Williams and two - getting admitted also known as accepted. You may be qualified to attend Williams just as a time of 56.29 would qualify you to go to the Olympic Trials in the 100 Free. However, relays aside where four swimmers are required, only the top two finishers in the final heat get to go to the Olympics. There is only so much room on the Olympic team bus. Selective schools like Williams don’t have the space to accept all qualified applicants. It’s a school of around 2,000 people. All things otherwise equal; SAT scores, grades, letters of recommendation; applying as a recruited athlete gives you an edge. While Williams like all NESCAC schools downplays in public the role athletics play on campus, Williams really wants to do two things - one, beat Amherst and two, win the NESCAC. Many application readers are recent graduates and carry a lot of school spirit. It’s not just athletics where you get an edge. If you play the violin and the school orchestra is weak in the string section, and you apply, again all things otherwise being equal, you have an advantage. At schools like Williams admission is very, very competitive and holistic qualitative decisions are made. Being qualified without a hook gets you a look. After that a lot depends on the alignment of the stars. Good luck. You are a great kid and a strong applicant but keep in mind that Stanford rejects 6 qualified applicants for every 1 it accepts. Keep things in perspective - acceptance is predicated more on what the school needs that year to build their community then your worth or value as a student or person and all the work you have done. If you applied ED, I think you will have your definitive answer this Friday. And, if you get in, go out and buy a lottery ticket 'cause the Irish eyes are smiling on you.
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