<p>My guess is that if 1 in 12 applicants are accepted and all 12 have very similar SAT/ACT scores, grades, academic achievements, etc., you would stand out to admissions as adding diversity to the community if your unique talent happens to be in athletics, if you are a very high level athlete compared to someone with the same academic credentials and no other unique/different ec’s. My guess is that the same would be true if you bring some other talent to the community such as acting, writing, cheerleading, as long as you have the same academic credentials. I know the Ivy’s cut corners on admissions for athletes but time and time again you have seen and heard that MIT will not cut you a break on the academics for admission if you are an athlete. But if you are a good athlete and have also accomplished what those other 11 people have academically, well…</p>