Say you are a good runner, but not good enough for a scholarship to go to your dream school, let's say Stanford. Can the coach push for your admission if you promise you will walk on?
Also; What year/time of year in high school should you start filling out the questionairres on the schoool websites and taking school visits? Should I email the coach if I am coming to their school for a visit?
Bump
All I can tell you is that most athletic departments have their own people who can help guide prospective team members in the admissions process, regardless if one is a scholarship recruit or a walk-on.
If you feel you will be allowed to walk-on (aka assuming you're not a total slug, that you might show some promise for development as a collegiate athlete), contact the coach(es) and tell them your plan and see if they would be accomodating to you walking-on. If so, they'll be willing to help you get enrolled and all that if you ask.