Isn't it unreasonable, today, to argue that a coach's desire for a student athlete plays no role in the admission process; that it is all random! Clearly, a coach knows well the standard of the school and that of the student athlete. This is why we are sometimes shock (when we shouldn't) that a student might decide on MSU over Uconn and why a Stanford/ND are wishful thinking (And why it is so difficult to compete with schools like Stanford for high scholastic students).
Tara- like other coaches, send the student papers to Admission with supporting evidence concerning how the athletic dept will facilitate that the student athlete in question holds herself to a given standard. An evaluation is then made by the Admission Office. This is not a negative against any specific school (cf. MSU), but to say, the profile of the admitting student athlete cannot be radically different than the overall student body.
One other thing I'll like to say on a related subject. People here have spoken aloud a few times why a European player decides to go Pro in the Euro Leagues than come to the U.S. colleges. A recent example is that of the young Finsk player. (Not sure if she has decided her fate as yet) There are several explanations. 1) If you are good enough the Leagues offer a good salary- certainly more than the WNBA. And the schedule is such that one can simultaneously pursue an education. So, it is not unusual that a player might simultaneously pursuing a medical education while playing. 2) A univ/college educ carries a different set of premises in Europe than the U.S. Here, universities are not yet 'business' enterprises as they are in the States. I'd give an example. I believe the U.S educ system has given up-- for the most part- technical high schools (and even colleges- with the exception of a few). But in Europe the technical hs compete with the so-called academic gymnasiums, and the populists here are blaming the elitism that has moved into the culture as to why fewer students are heading to the tech hs; and, to the so-called Professional Colleges upon graduation.
What this means is that in Europe ( France, DK, S, Finn, Ger, etc., the B.S degree is radically di than that of the U.S for the most part. There isn't the flexibility that one sees in the States. For example, you will not be able to get a job working in a pre-school with a degree in psychology. Such jobs are opened only to those who have gone to a Teacher College and majored in childhood educ. Your psych degree is seen as a research degree-- not a practicing degree.
Lastly, why are European students older than American students when they come to the States as freshmen? Simply, we start school at an older age. Childhood is really cuddled here. Then come pre-school, public school- 4years and gymnasium-3years. After Gym it is common for students to travel the world for a year (my generation headed to the Americas; today's generation are to be found in Asia). This is standard. And it should be kept in mind that gymnasium here overlaps with 1-2 years of college in the States. So, a typical Danish student coming to an American college should academically be qualify to enter as a soph. As I said earlier all bachelor degrees are 3-years. My overall point is this, the Finn or Danish student has some serious calculations to make in accepting a scholarship.
