For Student Athletes

Module 4.4: For Student Athletes

Athletics is a major driver in prep school admissions. Schools like Exeter, Deerfield, and Choate have historic rivalries and need athletes to fill their rosters. However, the process is nuanced.

The Three Tiers of Recruits

Tier 1: The "Impact" Recruit

• Profile: You are nationally ranked, an AAA hockey player, or a USTA tournament winner. You will immediately start on the Varsity team as a freshman.

• Strategy: The coach will advocate for you with admissions. You should be in direct contact with the coach before you apply.

Tier 2: The "Program" Player

• Profile: You are a strong club player or captain of your middle school team. You might make Varsity eventually, but you'll start on JV.

• Strategy: Athletics is a "hook" but not a guarantee. You need strong grades. Your value is being a hard worker who strengthens the program's depth.

Tier 3: The "Participant"

• Profile: You play for fun or fitness.

• Strategy: List the sport to show you are healthy and active, but do not make it the center of your application.

Communicating with Coaches

If you are Tier 1 or Tier 2, you must market yourself.

The Outreach Email Template:

• Subject: [Sport] Recruit: [Name], [Grad Year], [Position/Stats]

• Body:

  • Brief introduction.

  • Key stats (times, rankings, position).

  • Link to a highlight reel (YouTube or Hudl). Keep it under 3 minutes.

  • Ask: "Do you need a [Position] for the class of 202X?"

  • Attach your "Athletic Resume" (a one-page PDF).

The Highlight Reel

• Keep it short: Coaches are busy.

• Identify yourself: Use an arrow or circle to show who you are in the footage.

• Show skills, not just highlights: If you are a soccer player, show your first touch and passing, not just the one goal you scored.

The "Student-Athlete" Balance

Admissions officers worry that jocks won't do the homework.

• The Essay: Do not write the cliché "Game winning goal" essay.

• The Pivot: Write about how discipline in sports helps you in the classroom. Or write about leadership. Show you are a Scholar-Athlete, with the emphasis on Scholar.

Repeats / Reclassifying

It is common for athletes to repeat a grade (e.g., repeat 9th grade) to get bigger, faster, and stronger.

• Note: Schools are open to this, but you must have a valid academic reason too (e.g., "I want to solidify my math foundation before college").