what college should I go to?

A lot of missing information:

How much scholarship money at the D2 school?

Which coach would be the best fit?

Does the D1 school have an active club track team?

Any idea on which teammates you might fit in the best?

I would probably go with a successful D2 program than a struggling D1 and trying to compete with the powerhouses.

tycobb wrote:

A lot of missing information:

How much scholarship money at the D2 school?

Which coach would be the best fit?

Does the D1 school have an active club track team?

Any idea on which teammates you might fit in the best?

I would probably go with a successful D2 program than a struggling D1 and trying to compete with the powerhouses.

The D2 school offered me very small athletic scholarship (very small) and the academic scholarship was around 50%. The coach and team of the D2 school felt better to me. I was made aware that I would have to race unattached for track at the D1 program since there is no club track or team.

slowrupp wrote:

tycobb wrote:

A lot of missing information:

How much scholarship money at the D2 school?

Which coach would be the best fit?

Does the D1 school have an active club track team?

Any idea on which teammates you might fit in the best?

I would probably go with a successful D2 program than a struggling D1 and trying to compete with the powerhouses.

The D2 school offered me very small athletic scholarship (very small) and the academic scholarship was around 50%. The coach and team of the D2 school felt better to me. I was made aware that I would have to race unattached for track at the D1 program since there is no club track or team.

What I've heard from talking to a few XC only coaches is that you get a few opportunities to race in uniform with travel, entry etc. paid by the school during track season but no conference or national championship eligibility.

There are only a select few D2s that are academically strong, but if yours is one of them or they have a strong program in your degree, I'd say go D2 since you like the program better. It would be hard for me to turn down a full academic scholarship at a D1 though. At the end of the day, just make sure the academic program will provide you with the skills and credibility to get a decent job afterwards. That's what matters the most.

trust your gut

Which college, not what college.

Most D2 colleges are crappy academically.

D2 with track are you serious? What real runner would ever go to a school that only has XC?????

Idk about you, but I’d take the opportunity to run track any day. You can earn scholarships from track and XC and a large percentage of students will lose their full ride scholarship within a year of school.

Unless you are running times that indicate the possibility of going pro in a few years, I’d pick the school that would be best for you academically tho.

d2 can run wrote:

Most D2 colleges are crappy academically.

The above statement is not strong intellectually.

For some reason, you haven't mentioned your HS times. I am not asking so that others can look you up on the internet, maybe give a range: sub 1:55 800m, sub 4 1600m, sub 9 3200m, sub 15 CC 5k, are examples of what I might want to know before offering a suggestion.

slowrupp wrote:

I have narrowed down my college search to 2 colleges and would like to hear reasoning from you all on where you would go if you where me. Here are my options:

D1 college with only cross country team, no school sponsored track team, full academic scholarship

or

D2 college that has xc, track and indoor and was top 20 in the D2 national meet last year

both schools have the degree I want and I like both colleges equally.

Is the D1 school big and likely to last? Is the D2 school small and expensive or cheap and has enrollment been consistent and steady or declining? I would not trust a small DII school if tuition is really high and enrollment has been up and down; at least find a cheaper school that fits that bill. The small expensive colleges are clearly not managing their costs effectively, and they are most at risk of closing down over the next tens years. Unless it is a long time school of prestige, I would avoid those as you don't want the degree you get to be from a defunct institution. Right now, I would balance security of the school over running at all levels, even if you have a scholarship.

Are you a likely Olympian?

No?

Then pick a college that will prepare you better for a career. In 10 years you'll be jogging for fun anyway

CopperRunner wrote:

Idk about you, but I’d take the opportunity to run track any day. You can earn scholarships from track and XC and a large percentage of students will lose their full ride scholarship within a year of school.

Unless you are running times that indicate the possibility of going pro in a few years, I’d pick the school that would be best for you academically tho.

Most runners do not lose their scholarship, that is nonsense... especially at XC only schools who are likely not nationally relevant! Stop it

With the information given I would choose the D1 school and a full academic scholarship. I'm assuming this covers book, tuition, room & board. If so, go with the D1. Ten years down the road no one will care that you ran XC and track at a D2 school. Your degree from a more prominent school will go much further in getting you that first couple of jobs which will enhance your career much more.