By Ryan Turner
When you talk top tier academics and Division I lacrosse, no league marches to the beat of their own drum like the Ivy League.
Despite status as a Division I conference, it is important to note that Ivy League universities cannot offer athletic scholarships. Academic and grant based aid is very much available, however, and much like Division III institutions, the initial “sticker shock” of an Ivy League education should never deter one from considering an Ivy as an option. Also, with some of the highest endowments nationally, Ivy League universities do in some cases have a larger pot to dip into financially than many other DI, DII or even DIII counterparts.
Some great student-athletes become turned off by the elitist stigma associated with Ivy League universities. While it is true that academic superiority is extremely important, strong personality, the ability to excel athletically, and involvement in extracurricular and community service outside of the norm is just as. Coaches in any sport at any level do not recruit robots, and in no case does this hold truer than with Ivy League lacrosse recruiting. A well balanced and diverse background only can make a candidate more attractive to an Ivy, not just the high SAT and GPA, as is traditionally associated with getting accepted to a top college or university. Ivy League institutions want individuality, excellence, and experience on and off the field; not simply bookworms!
A few major differences to note in lacrosse recruiting at Ivy League universities are the use of the academic index and the issuance of likely letters. The academic index is a tool used to give a comprehensive overview of a potential applicant, to determine their chances of being accepted. The formula does not guarantee or rule out admission, but is used across the board at Ivies as a template to determine likely success as a candidate. The use of the likely letter is extremely important for the Ivies as well. Ivy League admissions offices send likely letters between January and April to inform applicants that it is very likely they will be accepted when decisions are made in April. These letters are used to offset other athletic scholarship schools that need to finish and plan for scholarship packages for incoming classes by February. The likely letters allow student athletes to make a more informed decision.
Ivy League recruiting is like none other, and knowing and understanding the process and admissions differences is vital for potential success. With many lacrosse student athletes looking toward high academic options with strong lacrosse, Ivy League programs remain a staple in the college search when seeking out the finest education with quality athletics. Preparation and focus throughout the recruiting process is always critical but pay close attention to the nuances of Ivy League recruiting.
