Where should I run in college? (Looking to transfer)

La Crosse returns 6/7 from a 4th place finish this fall, if you want to be part of title runs for the next two or three years you can take a trip 3 hours west on the I90.

Try the University of Texas - Tyler!

OP email me I have some ideas of good schools for you

So I'm not sure if I should transfer for my sophomore year or junior. It looks like all the transfer deadlines are March. That is so soon and I got a mediocre first semester college GPA (3.4). I also didn't put up any great times in my freshman year of cross country.

I appreciate all the suggestions listed so far and checked out a couple school pages but haven't found anything I'm set on. Does anyone else have more programs to recommend or think I should take a closer look at one already mentioned?

Good running program, strong academics, fun time, that's all I want. I want to make running a big, enjoyable part of college. I want teammates that care. Guys who don't want to get blasted would be preferable.

If I try to transfer this year would I have to do it by March like everyone else or could a coach get me in later on say May-June? Do you guys think I should transfer now or as a junior? If I do not transfer this year, I don't think I will run at my current school. I will train hard regardless and maybe find some races to run unattached so I can have results to show potential new coaches. Might give me more time to run faster and get my GPA up. But also, I would say the pros of transferring now would be getting used to a new team as a sophomore and having 3 years, also just being able to enjoy a new school for a longer time instead of just 2 years. But I just need to find the right school first.

Help

If you want to run in college and are going to stop running on the team at your current school, then you should definitely transfer as soon as possible? Is your current school good academically? 3.4 isn't too bad.

Thanks for the reply. It's alright academically, nothing special, perhaps a bit below average overall. I just don't enjoy it much here. I could stick it out though and I'd be fine. I don't want to transfer and be unhappier so I wanna make a good decision, but I just am not too keen on staying at my current school the whole four years.

I probably should transfer asap, but I suppose just the concerns I listed such as not getting coaches attention and the March deadlin in 3 months is overwhelming. Part of me wouldn't mind training on my own (probably with a friend who runs casually but has time to workout with me) but at the same time I will be missing out on a year or running with a potential new team and new friends. That's why I'm just not sure if I should take things slower and get my GPA up and get stronger on my own and then just apply junior year.

Put up a killer time and transfer when you are going to be a junior

I was asked to pick the "non-american" runner to make sure i wasn't a spam-bot... Both Haile and Meb were listed... I guess I picked the right choice...

Anyways, look into MSU-Billings. They have a fantastic program that is continually their "best year in the book". 5 years ago, 4 of us freshman came, and we were the best team in history. the team only got better and better each year. Recently they were ranked 10th in the GNAC DII. They took 3rd. They have a few 4:20 miles, and 1:55 guys. Seriously, you might overlook this school. But Coppock is a great coach...

Hey you're in an interesting situation OP. I don't know many guys who run solo and try to transfer, but if you run a solid time in a legit race then I guess that's good enough to coaches. Unorthodox but time is time right?

I'm looking to transfer to, mainly for location reasons, and I am also wondering if coaches can pull strings to get someone in later on in April/May, or will I have to apply by the strict deadlines in Feb/March for transfer students. I also feel like this is too soon for me to get the attention of potential coaches from other schools.

UF

Only you can triangulate between the various weight you assign school rep, location, size, perceived team characteristics, etc.

With that caveat, and given that it sounds as if you had a good SAT score, you should try to get your grades up, and transfer as a junior to the school with the best academic reputation, that fits your personality and learning style. Are you someone who will thrive at a middle size or large school- or is a smaller school, where you'll get more individual attention (at the possible costs of a less varied course selection), more your style?

I'd advise choosing a list of schools that fit you academically, then using running to decide among that list, rather than the other way around.

And you might consider a school with "just" xc or just track, too. Off the top of my head, UC Merced is an example of a good university with a young xc coach, medium to small sized school, NAIA, looking to move to D2. Just using it as an example. Lots of research for you to do. Good luck.

I admire your decision to refrain from drinking and you seem extremely dedicated to the sport. However at 5'5 you are going to be the odd man out on virtually any team. Don't let that get to you though. I can't specifically find a team for you that doesn't party much or has shorter guys on the roster, but the only way you would find that is if a poster knows the specifics of a school's program. Anyways keep your head up and regardless of your physical appearance and personal decisions I think many coaches would be happy to have you. Your PR's are solid. The most important thing is finding the right program because you do not want to be unhappy again after transferring.

I do not believe coaches can help you after transfer deadlines. If you feel it is approaching too soon you may want to wait until you are a sophomore to transfer for your junior year. However a year and a half is quite a long time to compete without a team, and you will miss out on bonding with a new program like you stated.

Its best you do it now. I wanted to transfer out after this year but waiting for it was a pain.. The reason you should do it now is you never know what can happen during the next 1.5 years. You might hit bumps like failing grades, getting into trouble. These bumps can affect your transfer.

I have hit these bumps though Im still on campus. College gets harder too, which is why these bumps occur. If you transfer out asap and get failing grades, or in trouble, IMO its not a big deal if these happen once. Because I got into these issues, Im heading to CC for a semester. Ill apply for transfer just for kicks.

Transfer apps don't take that long. So you'll be fine.

Appreciate the last several posts. "Well.." are you trying to transfer to a different running program, or just for school in general?

Thanks for the MSU-Billings suggestion, but with all respect, with that school and a few others that were previously mentioned, I just don't want to transfer to a remote mediocre program. Looks like a fine group but I just don't want to move out to Montana to be with a bunch of in state guys and I'd like to find a school that is well known to most and regarded highly. That being said I know my options are limited. I am perusing through the Wisconsin schools.

I suppose I will do some transfer apps this year then. If anything it will just be money down the drain if I don't get in or decide not to actually transfer. I may apply to Washington and Chicago but that might be pointless since those schools are ridiculously hard to get into. I'll apply to a few Wisconsin schools although none appeal too much at the moment.

I've been looking at so many teams pages but haven't found anything I feel is a great fit. It's discouraging but I am determined to find a program I can do well at for the remainder of my college career. I looked at the D3 Nationals from the past few years but it just seems like every option is either too expensive or too hard academically for me to have a chance to get in. Perhaps North Central but it appears they have a huge team already and I'm not too sure about their academics.

Would coaches be able to help me get in later in the year or do I need to do these transfer applications in 2 months? I have nearly nothing to show extracurricular wise. I only did cross country in college. My GPA is nothing special either.

Happy Holidays to all who have helped me so far. I'm still on the hunt. Thanks!

Adams State U in Colorado. Small school. Far from prestigious academics, probably just average or below. Depends on your major. Big team with loads of guys better than you. High mileage training. Always gunning for D2 national titles. Party very infrequently. One of the cheapest universities you could ever find. Based on what you said the academics are probably the only thing not up to your standards.

GVSU

above average academics, great team atmosphere, always competitive on a national scale, awesome facilities, etc..

Carnegie Mellon fits what you want but just might be too expensive

Wilmington College. They have the best facilities in all the land, a divine dining hall, and not to mention an absolutely stellar coach.

its school in general. i want to go to a better school. Im keeping my options open at least. If things don't go well, i can stay and get a masters of finance somewhere good right after undergrad because I will have one more year of eligibility assuming i grad in 4 years.

Those good d3 schools are expensive but u get a good education. If you use loans, a degree from a great college can help you pay your loan faster. My cousin went to CMU and ended up with a job at Wall Street.. He paid his loan faster than my other cousins who didn't graduate from good schools and have loans.

Apply first and then talk to the coaches.

There is no diversity at a D3 school either, most are just like high school where professors actually take attendance and sometimes make you participate in class, sigh. Plus every girl at d3 schools want the same typical douche like hs.