I'm starting my senior year and looking at schools for next year. I might go to a junior college my freshman year. Would it be better to take classes and train by myslef or to run on the team? Do d1 coaches like transfers or is redshirting better?
I'm starting my senior year and looking at schools for next year. I might go to a junior college my freshman year. Would it be better to take classes and train by myslef or to run on the team? Do d1 coaches like transfers or is redshirting better?
This has come up in several other posts, but prioritize your academic plans (major, college) first. It doesn't sound like you are considering any scholarship offers, so this is especially important. There are several community colleges in CA with very good track/XC teams and coaches. Some community college coaches were previously at 4-year schools (including d1). Unless you are on the cusp of greatness as a runner, and two years at a community college will get you to scoring points at the NCAA national championships, expect to be a walk-on athlete at the school you transfer to. Several community colleges in CA have transfer agreements with 4-year schools nearby that you should look into based on the 4-year school you ultimately want to transfer to. The transfer agreement guarantees admission if you take an equivalent set of classes and maintain a certain GPA. The admissions office should be able to tell you what community colleges they have transfer agreements with.
I will assume you are in California, so what part of California do you live in? Several of the DII coaches like jc transfers since they tend to transition better to their programs and tend to stay eligible and graduate. A few DI schools like transfers, but it just depends on their needs and how you perform at the jc level. As suggested earlier, decide what you are going to major in and let that guide your decision. Best of luck. By the way, I ran at a jc and then went on to run DII competing in 3 NCAA champs and earning 2All American honors. I also coached at the jc level for a couple of years as an assistant and we sent athletes to Sac St, Chico, Adams, Cal Poly SLO, Davis and Stanislaus, as well as a fe private Christian schools. So, yes, run for a JC.
Was it hard to transfer? Did it take longer than 4 years to graduate college?
I do live in CA and there's a jc with a pretty good team that I live near. I'm not sure about running for them because their runners don't transfer anywhere after they finish.
Go to OCC. Solid program track and cross country programs. Or it at least they used to be so I assume they still are. The girls are hot. The school has a good transfer program to the UC schools. Great places to train close by - Crystal Cove, the beaches, Newport Back Bay ect.
I'd opt for going on the team. You will meet people and be part of something at the school and more importantly you will be able to register for your classes early. There are so many people going back to school it would be almost impossible to transfer after two years if you aren't on a team because you won't be able to get the classes you need.
If you live in NorCal go to American river college. Solid program that has been dominant the past few years. The coach is very good at developing young runners. If you live in SoCal occ is where you wanna be.
It is fairly easy to transfer, however, my understanding is that you now need the AA/AS before you transfer. No big deal if you are a serious student too.
I concur, if you are in NorCal, American River, SoCal OCC, Mt Sac, Mesa if in San Diego, and Sequious if you are in Central. Not too sure about central coast, maybe Questa, but not sure. The key thing is, get in a program, run well, and during your second year, start contacting 4 year school coaches yourself. Honestly, most coaches like athletes who take the initiative. Good luck.
You can go to a California Community College NOW! and still attend your high school dances, prom, etc.
CC's have a Middle College Program for high school kids.
You can take real college classes and get real college credit.
It's not high school rote learning so be prepared. Actually college you know is alot harder. You cannot memorize like the SAT and AP wants.
O.K. yeah, CC's have no academic rep, BUT the schools the CC profs graduated from have rep so look at their websites and choose accordingly.
You are not limited to CA JUCOs either. The AZ schools have a waiver for CA, CO, NM residents to attend while still paying instate tuition. Just an FYI.
I ran at the JUCO level first and made vast improvements in both running and school work. I received a D1 scholarship and had some great experiences.
You stated that you were not sure about the local JUCO team because their runners never went anywhere after, why not be the first? Maybe the coach is not good at connecting his athletes with good schools - Be your own advocate.
Good luck.
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