<p>MIT does recruit. That is a demonstrable fact. Coaches are present at high school age events, wearing the colors.</p>
<p>I agree that coaches submit a list of candidates who they believe…informally…would pass minimum academic muster. If they would like X number of athletes for the team this year, they might submit a list with 2X or 3X number of names. Following ATPmolecule’s insight, this would lead to athlete acceptance rates of anywhere from 33%–50%.</p>
<p>These rates are high, but if the coach has done his/her job, the pool is pre-screened. By comparison, what proportion of the entire applicant pool is cut in the first triage? 50%? In other words, is it correct to say that in the first review, about 50% of the applicants are easily identified as not having the requisite qualifications? All the people on the coaches’ lists (presumably) are qualified.</p>
<p>This would bring the overall acceptance rate of minimally qualified applicants and the athletic acceptance rate a little closer in line.</p>