Understanding the Academic Index (AI) for Ivy League Track & Field Recruiting
After coaching in the Ivy League for 7 years, and competing as an Ivy League Track & Field athlete, I am excited to democratize this information that would otherwise only be accessible to those who can afford a private consultant. While I can’t boost your GPA or help with your SAT score, I can share everything I learned about the admissions process for athletes. We are giving this information away for free, but if you would like to support the project you can donate here. Either way, I hope this info helps you find your way onto an Ivy League Track & Field team. We hope to see you at our clinic!
Gaining admission to an Ivy League institution is a highly competitive endeavor, even more so for student-athletes. Beyond athletic prowess, academic excellence plays a crucial role. The Ivy League utilizes a metric called the Academic Index (AI) to assess a student's academic profile. This article delves into the intricacies of the AI, explaining its calculation, the impact of test-optional policies, and strategic considerations for prospective recruits.
What is the Academic Index?
The Academic Index (AI) is a numerical value assigned to every student applying to Ivy League schools, not just athletes. It's a composite score derived from two key components:
Standardized Test Scores: A numerical value assigned to either SAT or ACT scores.
Grade Point Average (GPA): A numerical value assigned to the student's GPA.
In a pre-2020 world, a perfect AI was 240, achieved with a perfect score on either the SAT (1600) or ACT (36) and a perfect unweighted GPA (4.0 on a 4.0 scale or 100 on a 100-point scale).
The Impact of Test-Optional Policies
The landscape of college admissions shifted dramatically in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ivy League adopted test-optional policies, allowing students to apply without submitting standardized test scores. This decision, initially made due to safety concerns, has had a lasting impact on the AI calculation.
Currently, and potentially permanently, two distinct AI scales exist:
Test-Inclusive Scale: This scale, capped at 240, is used for students who submit standardized test scores.
Test-Exclusive Scale: This scale, capped at 221, is used for students who do not submit standardized test scores.
This difference of 19 points signifies the Ivy League's continued emphasis on standardized testing, even in a test-optional environment. While the exact average AI for admitted students varies between institutions and years, it's estimated to be above 230. A 221 AI, the maximum achievable without test scores, places applicants significantly below this average.
Strategic Implications for Student-Athletes
The dual AI scales present a unique strategic challenge for student-athletes. While it might seem advantageous to forgo testing and achieve a 221 AI with a perfect GPA, this strategy often puts applicants at a disadvantage. The 19-point gap between the scales sends a clear message: standardized tests remain a valuable indicator of academic potential in the eyes of Ivy League admissions.
However, the situation is nuanced. A low standardized test score can negatively impact an applicant's AI, potentially making them better off relying on the test-exclusive scale. For example, a student with a 4.0 GPA but a 1200 SAT score might have an AI around 200 on the test-inclusive scale. In this case, their AI would be significantly higher (221) if they chose not to submit their SAT score.
A Crucial Strategy Pro Tip:
The most important takeaway is to strategically present the information that yields the highest AI. When submitting information to the admissions department, only include the data that maximizes your AI. Ivy League admissions offices have stated they will use the scale that results in the higher AI. However, admissions officers are still human, and a lower test score, even if technically disregarded in the final AI calculation, can create a negative impression. Therefore, if your test score lowers your AI compared to the test-exclusive scale, it's generally advisable not to submit it.
Calculating Your AI:
1. AI Without a Test Score:
Calculating the AI without a test score is straightforward. The following table illustrates the correspondence between unweighted GPA and AI:
The Ivy League uses unweighted GPA to standardize comparisons between students from different high schools with varying grading scales and course weighting systems. While course rigor is considered elsewhere in the application, the AI calculation focuses solely on the unweighted GPA.
2. AI With a Test Score (SAT):
Calculating the AI with an SAT score involves a few more steps:
Determine your Converted Grade Point Score (CGS): Use the table below to find the CGS corresponding to your unweighted GPA.
Calculate the SAT component: Divide your SAT score by 20 and multiply the result by 2. You can use superscoring (combining your highest Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores from different test administrations).
Calculate the AI: Add your CGS to the SAT component.
Formula: AI = CGS + (SAT Score / 20) * 2
Example: A student with a 4.0 GPA (CGS = 80) and a 1600 SAT score would have an AI of 240 (80 + (1600/20) * 2 = 240).
3. AI With a Test Score (ACT):
Calculating the AI with an ACT score is similar but uses a different conversion table and does not allow superscoring. You must use your best single-sitting ACT score.
Determine your Converted Grade Point Score (CGS): Use the same CGS table as for the SAT calculation.
Find the ACT conversion value: Use the table below to find the numerical value corresponding to your ACT score.
Calculate the ACT component: Multiply the conversion value by 2.
Calculate the AI: Add your CGS to the ACT component.
Formula: AI = CGS + (ACT Conversion Value) * 2
Example: A student with a 3.6 GPA (CGS = 73) and a 31 ACT score (Conversion Value = 70) would have an AI of 213 (73 + 70 * 2 = 213).
Choosing Between SAT and ACT:
If you have taken both the SAT and ACT, calculate your AI using both scores and choose the one that yields the higher AI. Do not report the lower score.
The Academic Index is a critical component of the Ivy League admissions process, especially for student-athletes. Understanding how it is calculated, the impact of test-optional policies, and the strategic implications of presenting your academic information is crucial for maximizing your chances of admission. By carefully considering your GPA and standardized test scores and strategically presenting the information that yields the highest AI, you can put yourself in the best possible position to succeed in the Ivy League admissions process.