What are some great academic schools that don't have that great cross country/track teams?

The Ivy Leagues

If you aren't good enough for a D1 school to recruit you, you aren't good enough to get any admissions pull at a school with a crappier team.

Guess why their team is crappy, they don't let shitheads in just because they ran a 4:28 mile.

If I ran a 4:28 I could just go pro now.

If you are a girl you have even less chance unless you want to go to an engineering school.

Well not so much "pull" as "reassurance." My SATs are pretty good, 2300+ (out of 2400, just reading/math would be 1500+). I took lots of hard courses and my GPA is definitely not as good at the SAT, but there's a huge upward trend.

A girl at another school was recruited by MIT...

Not all of the Ivy League schools have weak teams. Obviously, Princeton's women are good. But Harvard is not doing well.

Don't let the LRC negativity get you down. Your academic record (and I will assume your running resume) gets you in the mix, even if not perfect (2400/4:28). Admission at competitive schools is somewhat of a crap shoot anyway. So: (1) most important part, figure out what you want to study or do post grad; (2) grab a list of the best schools in those areas, as best you can figure, that you would have any interest in attending (based on location or whatever other factors you want to apply); (3) look at the top 10 (after scratching off any state schools other than one where you are in-state); (4) look at their respective XC and track performance levels (obvioulsy not just the top performers, but for any league meet scorers)and see if you are, or could be, close, (5)if you eliminate anybody during step (4), go back to list (2) and add schools up to the original top 15 and then repeat step (4) for those schools running programs; (5) contact the coaches remaining on the list - I think most will be straight up, more or less, and tell you whether (a) they would be interested in having you on the team and (b) whether they can/will provide a tip toward admission or at least signal this in some way; (6) apply as you see fit with that info - use early decision, etc if available with your top pick - and keep in mind that a strong running resume may help your app generally (there can be some great essay topics from running) even if your times etc are not to a level that gains a tip from coach - and the coach may (find out in step (5)) welcome participants who are otherwise admitted to the school for depth even if they don't have an admission tip to offer. The key is part (1) and with that information seeing if running can get you into a school that is top drawer in your selected academic area. Even if your running times are not "national" caliber, are there factors - e.g., low milage program, late comer to sport, also playing ball sport, etc. - that might demonstrate untapped talent? Sell yourself to the coaches. Don't give up. Keep in mind that DIII running at a great school can also be rewarding, if that school fits your academic/career profile. If you follow the above, the worst that would happen is that you scrap collegiate competitive running, still go to a great academic school that fits your needs and thereafter you move into a rewarding career. Doesn't sound too bad, does it?

Try my alma mater, Georgia Tech. It's mainly engineering but there are other majors (mine was biology). Alan Drosky is a pretty good coach and has coached several top athletes, David Krummenacker being the biggest name. Atlanta's also a fun city. Good luck.

So assuming you're a girl and you're asking this question... just making sure but you're 1600 PR should be less than 5:20-5:25 but greater than 5:00... am I correct? Because if you are over, let's say 5:30, I don't think there are many D1 schools who would try to help you get in (MAYBE a few you could walk on). But there are D3 schools who would be happy to have you.