Do athletics factor into the admissions process at...

MIT no. Other ones yes. Be smart though that's your way in

Athletics can help you get into MIT. I personally know 3 athletes that got in with the help of athletics. The coach has a # of preferred athletes that he gives to admissions, just like at other universities.

Athletics can help you get into MIT. I personally know 3 athletes that got in with the help of athletics. The coach has a # of preferred athletes that he gives to admissions, just like at other universities.

My understanding from the people I know who looked at and few who attend MIT is that it will help, but the coach cannot get you in. You still need to be on the bubble AT LEAST. Coach might be able to give you a little nudge, get you the nod over a similar student, but he can't just get you in.

my understanding, anyway.

In 2001 there was a book published called, "The Game of Life-College Sports and the Educational Values" by James Shulman and William Bowen. In the book they look at statistical data over decades. They conclude that athletic ability is the most important "non-academic" criteria used at all levels. But I agree with one of the posters that you still must be a good student at the elite private schools. If a guy has a 2.0 GPA with an 18 ACT they aren't getting into MIT. It was interesting to me that at the smaller colleges where they might only let in 400-500 freshman each year that sometimes 75 of those students would be special admits for the football team since in order to produce a team they needed that many each year with guys quitting. So out of a student population of 1800 there were 120 guys playing football with many of them special admits. Fascinating.