Where should I go to school

College Running D1

7 years ago 05/18/2016 2:27am EDT

I'm a junior and have run 14:35 last season in XC and a 4:15 mile. I also ran a 1:57 800m as a freshman but haven't ran it seriously since.

I need to start thinking about where to start applying to colleges / where to run. My grades are good but not stellar. Think 3.8x / 4.0 GPA and 34 ACT. I'm also white middle class.

My goal is to go to a top academic school with a decent athletics program. I want to get faster in college but I have no dreams (or hope) of running professionally. I want to take it somewhat easy in college, run, study, party, meet girls (who are not runners).

Should I focus my efforts on schools with strong running programs but shoddy academics like Oregon or Wisconsin, or should I just say "F it" and go for Stanford or a 2nd tier Ivy like Cornell? What are my chances of getting into these schools and getting some scholarship money?

I've been approached by a few schools but none of the big ones. Should I cold-call them first if they don't reach out to me?

I'm in California so paying full-price to attend a school like Michigan is completely out of the question for me unless I get a substantial scholarship, since I won't qualify for need or merit-based scholarships.

7 years ago 05/18/2016 2:30am EDT

re: prospective D1

Also a related question.

What's the thought process behind some of these top high school prospects who go to schools like Oregon or Wisconsin just to be the 5th man on the team, when they could have either gone to a lesser school to be top-dog or a school with a better academic pedigree to help get a job afterwards?

7 years ago 05/18/2016 5:27am EDT

re: prospective D1

Can't speak for the thought processes of others, but college is what you make of it. I went to a D3 program (the only one I applied to) when I realized it was a better fit than the D1 schools I got offers from. Which were admittedly not Stanford or Oregon level. Ivy League doesn't do athletic scholarships, though if you were banking on that.

Find a school with respectable academics and a coach who gives a crap about your development as a person. Take from the program what you will and enjoy yourself.

Credentials:

4:15 / 1:55 high school kid

7 years ago 05/18/2016 9:47am EDT

re: prospective D1

"...haven't run it seriously since."

7 years ago 05/18/2016 12:46pm EDT

re: prospective D1

I'd go to the best school you can get into and afford.

Some top schools that also have strong to good distance running programs are: Princeton, Cornell, Columbia, Penn, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Stanford, UVA, Notre Dame, UNC, Cal, UCLA, Michigan. I would think that any of them would give you admissions help (except maybe Princeton and Stanford).

My concern is your statement that you want to take it easy. College running is hard. If you're not fully committed to academics and athletics, you're going to fail in one or both.

BTW, I'm not being critical. There are lots of guys who use running to get into a great school, then don't put a lot of energy behind training. That's a very valid way to go. Just don't expect to be happy with your running.

Go to Cal or UCLA and have fun.

7 years ago 05/18/2016 1:27pm EDT

re: prospective D1

prospective D1 wrote:
I'm a junior and have run 14:35 last season in XC and a 4:15 mile. I also ran a 1:57 800m as a freshman but haven't ran it seriously since.

14:35 in XC as a high-school junior? For what distance?

7 years ago 05/18/2016 1:54pm EDT

re: prospective D1

Wisconsin isn't the best school out there, but it by no means a "shoddy" academic school.

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

Where should I go to school

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

Where should I go to school

Follow SCIENCE!

Block SCIENCE!

Follow Haz Bin

Block Haz Bin

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.