How much pull do the D3 schools have with admissions? We all know that the D1 schools have massive pull to get their top recruits in, and often make big academic/score exceptions for top recruits. Is it the same at D3's?
It depends on the school. Some of the higher academic schools have no pull such as MIT. Some of the higher academics have a little pull and have some athletics slots with admission but not all slots. But the majority of D3 do have pull but if a kid is way below the standards of the school, there is only 1 slot if any at all. But if the kid is close the athletics will help.
Very little pull, and if someone told you the D-1 schools have massive pull they are lying, they don't. Duje isn't letting in a kid with sub-standard grades, Ivy's are not getting a kid in who isn't a top scholar, D-2 schools are not very competitive academically, so no pull needed there, they just have massive tuition costs so a lot of academic money is needed, so a good SAT score will be required there. Amherst and the rest of the NESAC schools are a no-go without top academics. not sure where you're getting information from but it seems way off here. Went through this already with a couple of kids, so you may want to email a few coaches.
I wouldn’t say very little pull but the kid needs to be in the ballpark. Many of the coaches have told us if the school takes usually 3.8 and above someone with a 3.6-3.7 with athletics may get a shot (with the exception of schools like MIT). And they all encourage SAT/ACT even if the they are test optional. And they may reserve one spot for someone much more below the standards but they have to be an exceptional player.
