Hello, I go to an Independent school in the Northeast(ISL) and had a below average GPA first year(3.3 unweighted), and I was wondering what my goal GPA should be and what my Test scores should be when appyling, as I want to go to college more than likely at a NESCAC? My school already has people committing to the admissions process at these NESCAC schools, so I imagine the connection between my school and all the NESCACS is established.
Also my school has a median Sat of 1440 and median ACT of 32 and from 2019 to 2023 we sent 20 to Williams,13 to Bowdoin, and 24 to Middlebury
As far as athletic recruiting goes, it’s often said that the NESCAC schools are more difficult to clear the academic threshold than at the Ivy League schools.
1 Like
Your GPA and rigor are more important than a test score (generally speaking, at the NESCACs.) With that said, some NESCACs have higher academic thresholds than others. A 3.3 GPA is probably not going to cut it at the schools on the higher academic end, while it could at the schools in the lower end (in some years and in some sports.)
There is no magic formula for GPA, rigor, test score, and athletic talent for the NESCACs. Control what you can…get good grades in rigorous classes, prep for and take the ACT and/or SAT, enjoy competing in your sport. Good luck.
2 Likes
Talk to people involved in your HS recruiting (coach, guidance counselor) and see if they can give you guidelines to strive for in order to achieve your goal.
If NESCAC doesn’t work out, stay open to the many other fine options out there.
1 Like
What do you run and how fast are you?
And what year?
It is important that you shoot for a HS transcript that YOU are proud of. Try your best to put together grades you feel good about in courses that challenge at the level that is right for you. Do that from here on out, and there will be opportunities.
2 Likes
If you are an outstanding athlete (one that will start and make an impact as a freshmen), the minimum academic hurdle can be lower in the NESCAC. If you are not an impact recruit, you will likely need to be as strong academically as all other admitted students.
2 Likes
That will vary across NESCACs, sports, and how much of a priority recruit you are for a particular coach/program. When/if you first establish contact with NESCACs you’re interested in, send your transcript along with video, etc. or tell them over the phone, and they will let you know if you’re recruitable. If they want to proceed (your GPA seems on the low end), they will tell you what test score, rigor, etc. you need. Are you a rising junior? You should be in regular contact with the programs you’re interested in and sending regular updated stats, grades, etc. If you’re getting no traction/response by doing that, you may want to broaden your search and look at other options.
2 Likes
Which is why I asked what they ran and how fast they are.
Big difference between being a good Sprinter (of which there are many, even in the NESCAC) vs. a good Pole Vaulter.
In either case, you have to be good enough and have convincing demonstrated interest to get you some grace on grades.
Note the “some.”
I’m a thrower, and my PB this season was 31.5 in shot and 84.6 in disc. My shot is probably my best, and Next season, my sophomore year, I will spin and hope to hit low 40s to mid-40s in shot before I contact coaches and low 120s to low 130s in disc. My school sends all sports recruits to the NESCACs or Colgate, essentially, so I think we have a good connection with all NESCAC coaches, and from talking to people this year, they have told me if I have a 3.5 plus, I have a good shot at getting recruited.
Im going into sophomore year, should I self study to take the psat myself or should I just start studying for the SAT this year? Also my rigor is not the best as I am taking only one accelorated class next year but I plan to take majority APS my Junior and Senior year.
No I am only a freshman thrower, My shotput is my best mark I think cause i went 31.5 with gliding this year and plan to switch to spin and My disc was 84.6 but last season I was throwing 90-100 in. practice just couldnt put it together in meets. Talking with my track coach and other people trying to be recruited if I can get my shot up to 40-45 next season and disc up to 120-130 I should start contacting coaches. My goal would be williams, middlebury, or Amherst as I want to go into finance and these are the best schools for this.
Okay thank you, I know my school will be giving us college counselors towards the tail end of next year, should I ask them to reach out to coaches alongside my track coach or should I have my advisor reach out alongside my track coach.
really? I know they are academically rigourous but I know people at my school that have 3.5-3.7s that talk with these schools. I even know someone who got a 3.3-3.5 I think and was recruited by Uchicago for sports. Does the fact that some people would be full pay change how much leway the school gives to grades? I would be on full scholorship at any NESCAC so will they want more from me grade wise?
Freshman thrower, 31.5 shot and 84.6 disc but hit 90-100 in practice on more than a handfull of times. Switiching to spin for shot and have been lifting and doing olympic lifts so hopefully my throws will be 40-45 feet next year in shot and 120-130 for Disc.
Look here for event distances that you will need to be competitive: https://www.tfrrs.org/
Insights for OP @politeperson?
You should reach out to coaches via email when you have competitive distances to share. Do not rely on your coach to help you. You counselor/advisor also will not be reaching out.
Plan on taking the SAT or ACT next spring/summer. Take the PSAT NMSQT the fall of your junior year. Do you know your approximate class rank (even if your school doesn’t rank?)
You are early in the process. I would not target specific schools right now. Your rigor and GPA are low for the schools you mentioned. Again, control what you control…do well in the most rigorous classes you can handle and continue progressing in your events. You can get to finance from many schools. Getting a finance job from the schools you mention is difficult and highly competitive.
1 Like
It’s often said on this forum that NESCAC athletes are good athletes but great students. The bar is pretty high. Ivy League is D1 so they are said to be great athletes but good students. Ivy coaches generally have more leeway academically for a great athletes they really want.
Just curious- how are you able to be on “full scholarship” for any NESCAC school? Not sure what you mean by that.
2 Likes
Its too early to reach out to coaches for track and field. But when it is time to do so, ALL contact should come from you.
Yes, @Momofthree24 is correct here. The top NESCAC schools do not give athletes as much sway as the Ivy League will for the athletes they want. My son was told he needed a 1500 SAT at one NESCAC a few years back. The flip side of this is that the top throwers in the Ivy League are looking to score at D1 nationals.
This is a great reference, but one must remember that the weights used for the throws in college are heavier than they are in high school (hurdles are higher, too), so it is not a 1 to 1 comparison.
3 Likes
At any NESCAC I couldnt afford it so based on net cost calculators I would be paying sub 5k per year