<p>In the Ivies, there is a big difference between “being recruited” and receiving a Likely Letter and subsequent acceptance.</p>
<p>Coaches recruit. Admissions admit. In the Ivies, that distinction is key; in many other leagues, that is a distinction without a real difference.</p>
<p>Ivy coaches will recruit the best athlete the coach believes can pass admission; but there is a point at which admissions will say “no.”. What is that point? Lots of variables, but as a general rule of thumb: the better the athlete and the higher visibility of the sport the lower the objective stats need to be (so long as the stats are over a particular threshold).</p>
<p>I have personal knowledge of athletes who have been “recruited” by Ivy league coaches, but were unable to get that coveted Likely Letter due to academic stats not reaching the threshold.</p>