D3,IVY, and high academic recruiting

Bobbyaguho,

Thank you for that post!  The information is just what we have been looking for!

2014prospect

Very well written personal journey as it relates to baseball recruiting among academic schools.   There is a huge aspect that was not discussed....grades and SAT/ACT scores.  Amherst and others are unbelievably selective with admissions.  Not only is he a talented enough baseball player, he is an exceptional student too. 

The authors post script noted it is difficult to get a reading on your sons baseball talent level.   The same can be said for academic performance.   When you combine the two, it can get a little intimidating and confusing.  There are resources for each but not both until you feel your way through the process or come to sites such as HSBBWeb.

I agree Fenway - The Blogger left out the key point.  Amherst, Williams & Swarthmore have 15% acceptance rates with student average SAT/ACT scores requirements north of 2100/32.   Compared to the Ivy League, where many more non-athlete applicants know they don't really have a shot, Am/Wil/Swat students apply because they really want to go and know they have the scores in hand (In fact, every school makes this information public in a publication called "The Common Data Set").   However, the 6 baseball recruits can "jump the line" as long as their numbers roughly match the matriculating class.  It always amazes me how many kids fit.  It also amazes me how the top academic D3's fight for the same kids just like D1's fight for kids.  I see the occasional outlier with very high baseball ability and slightly lower scores but these situations are very rare.

The blogger just blew past the important academic fit stuff.

Just my .02 cents to this.  My son went to a local showcase at which a Yale coach attended.  Yale coach said you'll need a minimum 3.90 GPA and even that may not be high enough without the very high SAT/ACT scores and extras that they want.

I don't think anyone with a GPA below 3.90 should be dissuaded by the prior post from shooting for Yale or any of the other Ivies. The Academic Index still applies. Experience in our family is that Ivy coaches are circumspect in their description of the academic stats that are required, rather than specific about GPA or SAT/ACT numbers.

Surprised to hear that since there is a tremendous variance between the caliber of High Schools through out the U.S. Some schools use a 10 point scale for grades others a 7 point scale (where a 92 is a B) Some HS's have GPA's maxing out at 5.0 plus and others do not give much of a kicker if any for taking AP classes. As such I know that players coming from very challenging HS's and having a high HS academic rigor can get in with less than a 3.9. I agree with Green Lights post as well

One of the things that concerns us about the prospect of our son being admitted to an Ivy or high academic D3 is the focus on class rank.  Our son attends a highly selective private high school that requires all incoming students to test in and does not allow students to remain at the school if they cannot maintain at least a 2.0. Each class is also very small (105 in our sons case).  As such, our sons school does not have the same grade distribution that you would see at the large public schools in our area.  The majority of students at our son's school would be considered high academic and take AP and Honors classes and therefore class rank will affect the AI. Our son does have a 3.9 and good ACT scores. 

To my knowledge, a university such as Yale will always examine where you attended HS and how academically challenging your curriculum was.  I gave you what the coach stated.  Is it a drop dead number?  Obviously not.  As I stated above, it's the "extras" they want to see also.  If you think that you can glide through HS with a 3.90, and take no AP courses, be a part of no committees, debate clubs, volunteer work, etc., best of luck to you. My neighbor played baseball at Yale and every year there are at least a couple of kids from my sons HS that are accepted to Yale.  Trust me, all of these kids are academic studs.  I believe the coach mentioned it more to discourage the kids that have no chance then the borderline kids.

Education is at a premium in my son's MS and HS.  Level 1 8th grade math is 9th grade, Level 2 8th grade math is 9th grade regents, and level 3 math is 10th grade honors math.  My son is not going to Yale.  

If your kid's a pitcher and he can keep his GPA at least 1 above his ERA, he should be in good shape

I know a baseball player who entered Yale two years ago. He did not have an unweighted 3.9. When Columbia expressed interest in my son he was told he needed an unweighted 3.5 and 1250+ on Math and English SATs.

 yes class rank is important but the quality of the High School is certainly taken into consideration. I would expect an athlete in the top half of his school(assuming it is a very good HS as you mentioned) with a 2000 plus SAT and a solid core of classes very good GPA with 3 plus APs would be in the hunt for sure. Also the SAT subjest test scores come into play. Some Ivys can be tougher than others. The admissions folks know a great deal about most high schools backround and it's academic rigor.

We found that that each of the Ivy's and high academic DIII's that my son was recruited by had their own "quirks", but the coaches and admissions coordinators would guide you through the requirements of the school. I would not get too wrapped up in any one issue, they are looking at the complete package. 

Exactly.

You shouldn't worry about class rank because it is no longer part of the Academic Index.  They got rid of it two years ago.  If your son attends a well known high school known for quality academics, he will get a boost with the Admissions Committee.  How much of a boost will vary between schools and the college considering him.  Focus on academic rigor, academic performance and baseball tools.  Cast a wide net, and you will have a lot more options to consider.  Good luck, and feel free to Dialog me if you have specific questions.

Thanks Fenway!  We appreciate the information. I am always impressed by the collective knowledge of this board!