In our experience (D1 so I don't know if it's different at other levels), the teams gather information (unofficial transcript, SATs, coursework your senior year) and pre screen you with the admissions department so you know that you will get in. You still have to apply but when you sign the NLI they have gotten a provisional acceptance.
If you commit young, they generally let you know what GPA you need, coursework you should take and, if applicable, College Board scores to get in. Depending on the program, they are given some leeway with a few student-athletes but it's much better to be the guy who needs no help or very little help to get in. For my daughter at Northwestern, she was relieved when she didn't have to retake the SATs (she test exceptionally well) but was ticked that she couldn't drop down from AP Spanish her senior year.