what are the types of schools that I would receive interest from if I run 4:18, 9:22, 1:57

Any tips for not spending an absurd amount on college? I'm currently a junior with times of 9:30, 4:23, and 1:58. I want to run in college but the money's a big thing. I don't think I can get a substantial scholarship. Looking through this thread, it seems like it's possible to walk on to a lot of places, but it's really hard to get money. I don't want to spend 300k+ on college. Academic wise I have a 4.1 and 1460 SAT.

Generally speaking, at most programs that aren't qualifying for D1 nationals (i.e. most of the Ivies, not Harvard or Princeton), a 4:25 as a junior with strong academics can get a coach to give you a nod with admissions, especially if you apply early. I think there are multiple discussions going on here. One is what do you need to run to get a little help with admissions. You pretty much need to be academically competitive and be able to convince the coach you could be a conference scorer by Junior year. A 4:25 guy as a junior who loves the sport and is a good kid can easily convince most coaches they have a lot of upside. There is little downside for a coach to help on the margins. Remember, though there are maybe a lot of sub 4:25 juniors, not all of them can afford an ivy, want to go to an ivy, have the grades for an ivy. So that brings the pool way down. If the question is what will it take to be actively recruited or get scholarship money, that is a whole different set of standards.

No. None of the coaches will use one of their folders on a 4:25. Not even close. The kid won't even receive a response. And there is no early or regular with coach's assistance.

Several student athletes that I worked with did not get in to the university of their dreams. Fortunately, they found a different route and attended a less expensive community college with a good cross country and track program. This avoided them attending a four year school they had little desire to attend. With their AP credits and an excellent plan for taking key honors/transfer courses at the community college they finished their AA degrees in a little over one year. Their excellent community college advisors helped these students then apply and get accepted into their dream universities. Instead of four years of expensive tuition, these student athletes saved on their college costs. Lastly, their final degrees look identical to the ones of students who attended those schools for four years.

There are only about 25 schools that cost that much. There are hundreds that are cheaper. What state? Your state school likely cost $100K for 4 years.

But few kids are willing to do that. They think they are too good for JUCOs.

Not true. My son ran 2:01/4:22/9:30 as a junior and had a coach vouch for him at one of those schools. He has a teammate who ran 1:55 as a junior and 4:18 as a sophomore (definitely more talented than my son)... but still... didn't do much as a junior other than that 1:55... and he is now at an Ivy with a coach's nudge. They both applied early, had the grades and SATs and had help. I also went to an Ivy (different era- mid 1990s)... applied early and had a coaches help. I wasn't very good (4:40s/2:02 as a junior and good at cross country... but again, a very different time). This is first hand experience. Both kids had good respective senior year cross seasons as well, which certainly helped.

Restrictive early action? What is this term early that you mentioned? Must be a new term that your JUCO uses. You are way off on everything that you stated. If you are an Ivy grad, did your son get in as a legacy? I assume you are earning way over the amount to get any aid. So you chose to pay $320K for an education?

Early decision. Like I said. Not early action. Can't remember now which is which. I believe early decision was Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth and maybe Cornell. Early action the others. My kid did early decision, so was committed. If my terminology is wrong, forgive me... but I don't think it is as that's how we have referred to it. Don't know why you're being so adversarial. Yes, I am fortunate enough to do well and pay the money. Why does that bother you so? No, he is not at my alma mater and I think these days it actually hurts, doesn't help, if you went to the school (unless you give a few million). They don't want to seem like they support legacy. Anyway, best of luck to you.

Just to clarify I ran 930, 423 and 158 last year as a sophomore. My junior season hasn't gotten underway just yet, so I'm looking to get the times down. I live in CO, and boulder is roughly 25-30K a year not including room board and other expenses. So, not cheap. CSU is cheaper, but I'm not really looking to go there. Both are probably out of the picture for running as well. What times would I need to get down to for a coach to get scholarship or get help with admissions?

As I was scrolling letsrun I came across this thread. I have barely started thinking about college and I don't really know who to ask for stuff like this. Thanks

We have a senior athlete that runs around those times and academics. He has been looking at some smaller southern D1 schools. They aren't giving full rides but something...

Just FYI to all those HSers looking at schools - never, ever take the posted "recruiting/walk on standards" on a team's website at face value. Most are BS as many of the current athletes on the team aren't even running them. I can't tell you how many D1 schools I've seen that have standards like "walk on - 9:15 two mile" and only to have like 1 or two guys break 15:00 in the 5k for the season. Your best bet is to make your desired list based on academics/affordability FIRST, research the teams by going through the roster and team results, then reach out to the coaches.

100% what Kenneth Copeland said.

You should talk to real coaches and not ask the deranged lunatics who populate this board.

Name 3 schools. I just looked at Liberty. Every guy ran faster than their atabdarsa thus indoor season so it is likely that they wouldn't currently take anyone who hits them.

I'd agree with this, but a 4:18 mile is way different from a 4:25.

Thanks for the information on this thread. My daughter ran 4:58, 10:42, 2:17 as a junior and got the offer for her school of choice and committed this indoor season as a senior. We followed the advice of targeting her schools of choice and filling out questionnaires and reaching out. Good luck parents it’s a bit of a fun journey.

Give a bit more info. What category of school and type of offer? Why did she sign late if she started early?

Marist College