Ivy Invited Walk-on

True, there are no athletic scholarships in the Ivy League. To me, at least, it's not clear what you're asking. What do you mean value? Value to whom?

No athletic scholarships in the Ivies.

Recruited players have a special path through admissions; if they get over the academic bar, that's good enough.  

Walk-ons have the same path as every other applicant. The advantages which may be available to them (e.g., child of an alum, sibling, developmental) are the same as for every other U.S. student.  That means essays,  LORs, scores, ECs, and the rest must top virtually every other applicant.

Ivy teams have those walk-ones. A coach telling a kid that there is a space for him on the team if he gets in will have a spot waiting - because at virtually all, if not all, the schools the roster doesn't max out.

As for playing time, whatever is earned is earned. Very even opportunities given to every player to perform. Best player wins time.

"Value" was the wrong word.  I was trying to assess whether the hill might not be quite as steep for a walk-on in a non-scholarship program (assuming he is admitted).  Thx.

b i g m a c posted:

Ivies don't give bb scholarships, right?  Assuming so, does that suggest that invited walk-on status has somewhat more "value" than an invited walk-on for a scholarship program (since they are not quite as "invested" in their roster)?

Any Ivy walk-on experience out there?  Thx!

Difficult to compare the two situations because it is an apples to oranges comparison.  Regardless, the recruit has to prove his value to the team in either situation because he didn't prove his value during the recruitment timeline.  He either wasn't seen by the coaches or passed over for other recruits.   The bottom line is the recruit didn't make the coaches list the first time around either when the coach was handing out athletic scholarships (traditional D1) or supporting the recruit through academic admissions (Ivy).   So, that recruit needs to prove he belongs.  Whether that is making the roster, the travel team or the starting line-up in either situation.....it is going to be a difficult hill to climb as it is for most players transitioning from high school baseball to college.  Do I know people that walked on, worked hard, won the coaches "over", got playing time and deserved it....absolutely.  My son had 2 teammates at an Ivy that were big contributors to a 2012 championship team.  Coaches are looking for these kind of guys....difference makers that can add competition for positions and make the team better.  

JMO

BigMac: Fenway and Goosegg are spot on. Recruited ("likely letter") athletes have definite advantage. Usually only 7-8 of those per IVY. Then I see 2 categories of walk-ons. 1) Those who are offered a spot if they make it through admissions (definitely harder as you are competing against ALL applicants), and 2) those who may have been looked at previously at and "try out" in the fall. In each case, players got no "pull/support" from coaches.

I know of 2 2015's that were in the first category at one Ivy, one was on the team, the other didn't try out. Don't know of any in the second category that made team.

Incidentally several years back Harvard had a walk-on  (MI) that made the team, became captain of the team as a senior and is now an assistant coach at the school.

Bigmac - Agree with the others.  I would just add that keep in mind, even in scholarship conferences, the max that can be on scholarship for a 35 man roster is 27.  Further, the percentage of schools that are fully funded to the 11.7 available scholarships is a lot smaller than most think, which is to say many, many schools don't even have the max allowed of 27 on scholarship.  In that sense, everyone is utilizing walk ons to some extent.  The Ivy is a great deal in many ways, if your son is interested in the conference, keep posting, there is a lot of knowledge on the board about the conference.

Great insight -- thanks guys!