<p>@kotbala: Here are some data on athletic recruits. The numbers are a few years old, but they give a sense of the magnitudes involved. </p>
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<p>[Bock:</a> Early Decision admissions ?works in the context of Swarthmore? | Daily Gazette](<a href=“daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed”>daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed)</p>
<p>As I mentioned above, there is a first screening that occurs when the athlete provides the coach with information on GPA and test scores. This step removes many from contention. So, the 40% acceptance rate does not necessarily mean that athletes get a large advantage. (I happen to think that there is an advantage, but the question is how large it is.) </p>
<p>Many coaches strongly encourage recruits to apply ED, so athletes comprise a much larger share of the ED pool than the RD pool. That means they have a greater (positive) impact on the ED acceptance rate than on the RD acceptance rate. </p>
<p>As for the question of whether a student is hurt by being in the RD pool, we have one answer from the Swarthmore admissions blog:</p>
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<p>[To</a> Apply ED, or Not to Apply ED? | Parrish Beach Patrol](<a href=“http://parrishbeachpatrol.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2012/10/22/to-apply-ed-or-not-to-apply-ed/]To”>To Apply ED, or Not to Apply ED? | Parrish Beach Patrol)</p>
<p>Of course, this does not speak directly to those who were deferred, but here is a thread that provides both advice and hope:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/swarthmore/1047572-deferred-ed-swarthmore.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/swarthmore/1047572-deferred-ed-swarthmore.html</a></p>