Can I walk-on at a lower level D1 school?

I ran 4:32/9:37 and received full scholarships to five DI programs, including Swarthmore (DIII), Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida, and Miami.

Were you good in Cross Country (Top 10 at State; Foot Locker qualifying performance)? How are you academically?

It's not all about the numbers. It's about potential and your character. I never won state, but all these coaches realized my potential, as I was running 17-21 mi/week.

Keep working hard, but you are scholarship material unless your form is horrendous and a coach just feels you can't physically go any faster and you've been logging 60-80mi weeks.

Send out some emails. I did and was rejected by many. My favorite letter was from UCLA, stating I had to run 9:10 to walk-on and potentially score in their conference. That was a great reality-check.

GRod wrote:

I ran 4:32/9:37 and received full scholarships to five DI programs, including Swarthmore (DIII), Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida, and Miami.

Were you good in Cross Country (Top 10 at State; Foot Locker qualifying performance)? How are you academically?

It's not all about the numbers. It's about potential and your character. I never won state, but all these coaches realized my potential, as I was running 17-21 mi/week.

Keep working hard, but you are scholarship material unless your form is horrendous and a coach just feels you can't physically go any faster and you've been logging 60-80mi weeks.

Send out some emails. I did and was rejected by many. My favorite letter was from UCLA, stating I had to run 9:10 to walk-on and potentially score in their conference. That was a great reality-check.

Though the first sentence is a little screwy--you didn't get a full athletic scholarship offer from Swarthmore, given that (as you point out) it's D3--I think that otherwise this post is sound.

WalkHard wrote:

These were both nationally ranked D1 programs, but before Title IX started enforcing inequality in athletics. Not many programs have "no cuts" anymore.

This. I can really only echo the advice others have given: CONTACT COACHES.

As someone said, what's the worst that can happen? The coach says no, or doesn't return your call/email. Well, isn't that useful information? Doesn't that tell you something that you want/need to know about a particular program?

A lot of guys somehow seem to think that, if they contact a coach in advance, their chances of walking on will be poorer. Think about it: does that make any sense?

I ran for SLU and graduated just a few years ago. The programme (and SLU athletics on the whole) has made great progress of late. When I started, there was no arena and no track. Now both exist and are excellent facilities. Post your email if you want me to give you more information.

I would agree with most of the statements made here. Look at the school as a whole, not just running. With that said, SLU is a great place, though I am obviously biased.

GRod wrote:

I ran 4:32/9:37 and received full scholarships to five DI programs, including Swarthmore (DIII), Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida, and Miami.

This is a lie. Unless this was 40 years ago. Or this is a woman.

GRod wrote:

My favorite letter was from UCLA, stating I had to run 9:10 to walk-on and potentially score in their conference. That was a great reality-check.

This, however, is likely true.

Bottom line if both have a spot for you and you are still trying to decide between them: If you want to compete for a program with potential, make sure they actually have track as a sport...if just being on a team and "being there" is more important than competing, a "xc only" school is for you.