Need help finding a good college fit

No National Merit with those scores? That would open some additional doors for scholarships. Assuming no, Wash U or MIT or University of Chicago. But they cost $75k per year unless your parents and lower middle class.

Ok, brother, your running keeps you from the vast majority of D1 schools. Just not fast enough. Not really even worth your time looking there...EXCEPT for this -- if you actually run under 17:00, give Vanderbilt a look. Great school, no scholarship money for men's CC, no men's track. If you actually want to compete though and have a chance to contribute, DIII schools are for you.

You could run for a DII school if you get under 17:00 in CC, but most DII schools suck academically.

DIII schools are your best bet.

Even in DIII though, you aren't fast enough for top programs like WashU for example.

My advice would be to look into these very good academic schools:

Colorado College (CO)

Oberlin (OH)

Centre College (KY)

Amherst College (MA)

Tufts University (MA)

Johns Hopkins University (MD)

Bates College (ME)

Bowdoin College (ME)

Colby College (ME)

Carleton College (MN)

Macalester College (MN)

Hamilton College (NY)

Vassar College (NY)

Not a complete list of great DIII schools, of course. Your acceptance to medical school will mostly depend on your performance in college and then on entrance exams, but a good school doesn't hurt either.

Your research should include whether you think the teams would be a good fit and whether the school would be a good fit. You should consider area of the country, food options, housing options, male to female make up, political view makeup, areas of study in case you change your mind about medical school, out of pocket cost, etc.

Good luck!

Scholar Expert wrote:

No National Merit with those scores? That would open some additional doors for scholarships. Assuming no, Wash U or MIT or University of Chicago. But they cost $75k per year unless your parents and lower middle class.

You are incorrect about the cost to go to those colleges regarding having to be lower middle class. All three of those college meet full financial need, and the aid they give (grants) is significant even for families making $125,000 per year. You are just flat wrong about that...very affordable to go to those colleges for people who aren't lower middle class.

This. OP is not D1 material athletically, not even in a small conference setting. And at Vandy you'll just finish at the back at SECs and regionals, pretty emasculating. Go D3, brother, you'll have a better experience.

Like I said, lower middle class. 41% of MIT students pay full price.

Ye I have no problem going d3. Im just looking for school names rn so keep em coming.

How much do your parents earn and how much do they have saved? That is the driver for recommendations.

another thing I was wondering was if I decide to go to a school and Im not good enough freshman year, can I train on my own and try again sophomore year? I feel like I can still make some improvements cus I have only been running for 1 year.

Some D3 school do not cut. Some have tighter rosters. Those will probably not have much interested in you after they tell you in high school that you are not fast enough.

Check out the Patriot League schools.

Short answer: Clemson

Easy school (see NCAA probations), hot girls, nice campus, no real academic pressure.

I graduated before the century started. Back then we had guidance counselors and computer programs that helped us decide. Does this stuff not exist anymore?

have you tried the Barrons manual wrote:

I graduated before the century started. Back then we had guidance counselors and computer programs that helped us decide. Does this stuff not exist anymore?

Lol

Where I’m from the guidance counselors don’t do anything but fart around and collect a salary and retirement benefits for doing nothing.

They gave the same advice to me and all of my siblings. They recommended that we go to the local branch campus of the big state school. We went to Ivy League schools instead.

Why put yourself in all of that debt? Studies have shown that kids who are Ivy material, earn just as much as Ivy grads even if they attend their state school. So your counselor gave you the correct advice.

Never underestimate the value of alumni networks if you have a preference where you end up. Even in the medical profession where people tend to bounce around a lot between med school and where they ultimately practice, alumni networks can get your foot in doors that might otherwise be closed. So, if you are planning on staying close to home after graduation, you should prioritize schools that are close by.

If not, take a look at Rice. No scholarships for the men's XC team and very little money for men's track distance runners. It is possible to walk on with a 5k in the 16s. If you can run track this year and get a decent 1600/3200 time, that would help too. Rice is definitely a top pre-med program.

Case Western Reserve and Amherst are also top pre-med programs.

I would be careful if you are really looking for a high flying med school program that you do not compromise your undergrad program for a lesser div 3 school just to get to run XC. The top med schools are ruthless meritocracies. But if you are not too picky about getting in a top med school, you can go somewhere fun for undergrad.

ye not too picky about med school. most of these are colleges I have been looking at but a few are new which is why I started this thread in the first place.

I'd say John Hopkins is your best bet, really look there. Known for their Med School, academically competitive and very big roster.

I think Flagpole's advice is sound. A top 20 (academically) DIII school will give you a solid education, a respected degree, and the opportunity to continue running at a level that should be achievable for you. And the running program likely will have lesser demands and expectations than DI, so you will have more opportunity to enjoy other aspects of college.

Both my sons played soccer at DIII schools, one at Bowdoin, and they are happy that they chose that route.

Guidance counselors basically just exist to give you the safest answer possible.

Community college/state school for cost

"Oh you have good math scores? Maybe you should try engineering majors" (this is because you will get a job by the end of it-doesn't mean it will be a GOOD job)

"Hmmmmm you know what would make you look better? Some extracurriculars. Join a few clubs you don't care about."

On the other hand, lots of those college websites are glorified advertisement forums. Finding someone on LRC who is experienced with a school you're interested in is pretty viable compared to how unhelpful conventional resources are. With how much costlier school is now making the wrong choice up front can be prohibitive.