Need college advice

Are there any geographic restrictions on where he would go?

It's hard to say where you'd be able to compete because xc times don't mean anything at all. If you've placed high in state that will give you some credibility, but without track times you'll probably have to try out for just about any DI school. I think most DIII schools allow anyone on the team, so that might be your best best. Academically you're probably not ivy league caliber, but they're DI anyway so I guess that doesn't matter. It's really hard give you a specific idea of a school, but maybe if you give some more information about what you're looking for or where you're interested in going that might help.

Research the schools that fit your description of top notch academics, small classes, and a great science program with the previous post's consideration for geography. I assume a competitive private school's college counselor would be a valuable resource.

Narrow your choices down to a dozen and contact the XC coaches at those schools to learn first hand about their programs. Know what you want out of your collegiate running experience before contacting them.

Plan on a summer trip to visit schools to get a feel for what schools look like and hopefully make some contacts on your visits.

Apply to schools in fall of senior year. Get accepted to schools by March of senior year. Get financial aid package by April of senior year. Put deposit down on school by May 1 of senior year.

Unless you have placed highly in a state meet or other highly competitive race, you are probably under the radar for athletic recruiting. Don't be discouraged. Do your homework on colleges.

Don't be discouragded. You will not get replies from some coaches. Be prepared to show your academic transcript after your Junior year to interested coaches.

Don't get discouraged. Financial aid packages are very late in the process and are a major factor in your decision. Your favorite academic school or favorite cross country program may not be your best finanical aid package.

Lastly, until your acceptance letter is in writing and your financial aid offer is in writing, you have not been accepted and you have no financial aid. These won't be coming for another year. You have a lot of time left.

Thanks for the advice. Actually, he won states/several competitive invitationals and placed relatively high at Footlocker regionals (his 10K road was 33:20). He doesn't really have anybody to train with because he's about 1 minute faster than the next kid on his team. (As an aside, his school places kids at top colleges with similar GPAs and no athletics.) Geographical area of interest is NE, mid west, CA).

Check out patriot league schools (Bucknell, Colgate, Lehigh, Lafeyette, American)

Oberlin College. Small school, great academics including the physical sciences, small class sizes. Distance coach is Ray Appenheimer (sp?) former stud 13:20(?) 5k.

Also one of the best music conservatories in the country. It really offers one of the best liberal arts educations in the country. Check it out.

Drake is a pretty solid place. Smaller school which means smaller classes, but a good school at that. Pretty solid sciences from what I've heard...They're D1 and always seem to have a pretty solid team in Cross. Not to mention the Drake Relays and Midwest track regionals in '07 and Outdoor Nationals in '08...Strongly suggest checking it out

Hershey1 wrote:

Need college advice for HS junior who's quite successful in xc, 5K PR is 15:40. He doesn't run track because he competes in another sport at a high level (won't continue this sport in college) and because he prefers longer distances. (10K road race sub 34 when he was 15). He's looking for an academically top notch Div. I or Div. III school with small classes and a great science program. GPA 3.3-3.5 from a very competitive private school, no recent SAT (1300 in 9th grade). What are his options with these kind of stats?

check out the ivies: harvard, yale, priceton, cornell