All variables considered, what is the BEST college to attend as a distance runner?

Stan the Man wrote:

It’s Stanford. And not up for debate.

A distant second is Harvard.

Why is Harvard distant? running? Academically I think the name does more.

career wrote:

Stan the Man wrote:

It’s Stanford. And not up for debate.

A distant second is Harvard.

Why is Harvard distant? running? Academically I think the name does more.

Weather- where would you rather train?

edinboro

The best place is the place that when you visit, it is a place where you get the other students and they get you. For me, this was the University of Chicago, not a great place for running, but the impact of running diminishes over time for most people.

It is worse for young people now, as it seems that most employers want internships and this is hard to do if you are running. I sound like a boomer, but it is rougher now for young people.

My nephew played soccer at Virginia Tech at a high level. His wife also went to VT and they are engineers with the same major and graduated at the same time. She is much higher up than him in their firm since she interned for two years and really learned the technology. He has to catch up. His gruff mother-in-law doesn't get this, but we all know the story. All ACC in soccer doesn't matter to his company.

By the way, since Dad was wealthy and did not want to contribute to my education, I couldn't go to U of C. I went the D1 Jock scholarship route instead and the teammate experience was great but the University was just so-so. When U of C is ideal, the jock factor/ frat boy thing is not a lot of fun. My STEM major was a hell of a lot easier at the Jock Factory than at U of C, so there is that. The coach at U of C was also far more technically proficient, but it is a brainy school in general.

You have to make the best with what life gives you, but I fit in there. I moved back to Hyde Park, Chicago in my late 20s and realized this fact once again.

If money is no object, go to the place for you! You are lucky!

Stanford

Michigan

Unc/duke/uva

Notre dame

Texas

Georgetown

High School guy wrote:

If you had the opportunity to attend any college in the United States to run, what college would it be? As a 5k/10k guy. Only variable to not consider is money. So academics/team/coach/location. What is the BEST college?

There always have to be IFs, but if you can handle the academic work, Stanford is the best overall place for a distance runner to go. Great weather to train in, top distance program with great facilities and top talent to train with, and then a college degree that is second to none in beautiful Palo Alto, CA.

That is a general statement, of course.

If you are a devout Mormon, then BYU would be it.

If you aren't that hot a student, NAU would be it.

There might be some other considerations for other schools, but Stanford is the clear winner, and I am only allowing the other two exceptions.

career wrote:

Stan the Man wrote:

It’s Stanford. And not up for debate.

A distant second is Harvard.

Why is Harvard distant? running? Academically I think the name does more.

If you like running there's too much cold weather and the city itself is quite flat. You have to get out into Jamaica Plain, Forest Hills to find a decent hill.

High School guy wrote:

If you had the opportunity to attend any college in the United States to run, what college would it be? As a 5k/10k guy. Only variable to not consider is money. So academics/team/coach/location. What is the BEST college?

Can't consider all variable because we don't know anything about the most important variables, things related to you. Type of student and person and runner that you are.

Why did Tuohy and Nico Young choose other schools? Why do thousands of runners with 35-36 ACT scores choose other schools? You guys just don't understand that there is a different answer for everyone. Some want to be near home. Some want fall weather for XC. Some prefer the Ivies. Some have a favorite school. Some are not liberal. Some are not fast enough. The Brojos could have gone anywhere and did not pick Stanford.

Long pole wrote:

Really? Why is it that most of the fastest runners choose other schools?

Because it's hard to get into Stanford unless you're a football player and even then they won't take anyone.

coach wrote:

Stanford

This is the answer.

I agree with Naperville Runner. Very, very few athletes should choose a school based on athletics. Even a 4:08/8:58 guy like I was in high school in the 70's is very, very unlikely to become a professional runner, and even if it happens, being a marginal professional runner is a tough road. Education today is all about value. Like Naperville Runner, I paid for a pricey school (Princeton). It was from what I could tell a great education, but i am not sure it was worth the money. In the end, I made my daughter happy, so that is what counts. But while I make a good living, there is no question that i will work a few more years to pay for the schooling. For most, I think the focus in 2021 must be on avoiding debt, especially at the undergraduate level. Student loan debt is just so toxic in that it so limits choices, especially for people in their 20's and 30's. My neighbors have five daughters. All started at the community college, took on no debt, and received guaranteed admission (they made the grades) at UVA, Virginia Tech and George Mason. Four of them have finished and are doing well, and the fifth is a bio-medical engineer with outstanding prospects. No debt anywhere. By the way, it is difficult to make a good academic choice at 18 (for many). If I had thought about factors other than running, I surely would have made a different choice.