Train Me

SlowAFRunnrMom wrote:

The 17 yo has been filling out college applications all week. It's so bitter sweet. Then she sent out emails to all the coaches letting them know she applied and is interested in their program. Every teacher she has said to pick the college based on academics and the money she gets from that and don't worry about if she gets to run or not but every time we talk about it all she wants is to see if she can make one of their teams even if it is as a walk-on.

She's sent off applications to Texas Tech, Dallas Baptist, UT, Arizona, Oregon, Northwestern, Baylor and Arkansas that I'm aware of. Dallas Baptist contacted her about running but I know nothing about their program or school. Texas Tech is like her safety school. She knows she can go there for free but doesn't really want to.

Why not Rice?

Idk? Should I suggest Rice? I mentioned it to her a while back but I guess she ignored me. Lol

The 10 yo did a 1500m racewalk today. She's been dying to try it and I'm pretty sure there's since rules she doesn't know about but she came in 1st with a 10:33. Lol. Watching people racewalk makes me giggle.

UPDATED PRs:

17 yo:

10k-46:47

3200-11:55

3000-11:23

1600-5:26

800-2:32

400-66?

15 yo:

2k steeple-9:27

10k-51:12

3200:13:54

3000:12:52

1600-6:04

800-2:44?

400-69/70?

14 yo:

10k-58:??

3200-13:45

3000-12:53

1600-6:03

1500-6:01

800-2:43

400-69/70?

10 yo:

10k-1:01:51

2 mile-15:12?

1600-6:38

1500-6:44

1500RW: 10:33

800-3:02

400-86

Me

10k-53:45

5k-25:16

2 mile-15:24?

1 mile-7:00

400-87

Updated the missing PRs[/quote][/quote]

SlowAFRunnrMom wrote:

Idk? Should I suggest Rice? I mentioned it to her a while back but I guess she ignored me. Lol

The 10 yo did a 1500m racewalk today. She's been dying to try it and I'm pretty sure there's since rules she doesn't know about but she came in 1st with a 10:33. Lol. Watching people racewalk makes me giggle.

Rice is possibly the best school in Texas. Based on the list you provided, I'm guessing she has good grades / test scores.

But if 17 yo really wants to run in college, she should look hard at some D3 schools.

I'd like to take a poll...

Who here would:

1. Go to a D1 college based on education/merit

2. Go to a D2 or D3 college to run

In this scenario you are

Valedictorian of your class

1350 SAT

32 ACT

Have a $0 EFC

Both situations likely free or nearly free after grants and scholarships.

We'll see how running turns out this season but currently not fast enough for most (or maybe any) D1 programs.

Will those D2/D3 programs have the same level of education? The same opportunities? I really just don't know anything about any colleges except the one I attended.

I asked her again about Rice and she said that she doesn't think her test scores are high enough... I'll keep y'all updated on her choices as I hear anything. She also mentioned tuition is free for valedictorian at public colleges the first year. Rice is private but so are a bunch of the other ones she already applied to. She's supposed to retake both tests this fall. The school counselor suggested August retest but it falls on the date of a xc meet and she flat out refused. I think it's scheduled for October instead.

There are plenty of D3 schools that compare academically to the top D1 schools.

SlowAFRunnrMom wrote:

Who here would:

1. Go to a D1 college based on education/merit

2. Go to a D2 or D3 college to run

I went to a Community College the first two years, and later got the B.S. and M.S. from two different Universities. Afterward I chose to go in a different direction and ended up working for myself.

It's probably easier to run on a team at D2 or D3 and to be appreciated more for it. I'm not convinced of any special merit from D1. Having been to two of them, I think they're way overrated, and would likely go the CC and/or D2/D3 route. Whichever school looks the best / easiest and is the least expensive, i.e. free, is the one that I'd go for. Personally, I'd also pick a school that has a more relaxed atmosphere, i.e. no football and not a party school etc.

SlowAFRunnrMom wrote:

tuition is free for valedictorian at public colleges the first year

What happens after the first year?

I'd look at the overall cost for 4 years. The closer to free the better.

If you will get aid- you must visit Trinity in San Antonio. Meet with the distance coach. My daughter wanted to go out of Texas so chose another college, but the coach is very impressive and yes, there are many great academic opportunities. She can run there and get great coaching and education, and be in Texas. I have no connection to the school or the coach, but I have met a lot of D3 coaches from well-known academic and distance running schools, and Coach Emily was outstanding- individualized coaching focused on development, support for academics, and just a very caring and engaged coach (who was a great D3 runner as well).

dunes runner wrote:

SlowAFRunnrMom wrote:

tuition is free for valedictorian at public colleges the first year

What happens after the first year?

I'd look at the overall cost for 4 years. The closer to free the better.

After the first year, she'd be on scholarships and grants. I'm pretty sure she's going to qualify for $15k a year in financial based grants. I've done a bit of googling and her SAT and ACT scores well probably get her another $7500 (one time) give or take a little depending on the school as a one time. She has $13 and some change in scholarships she's picked up through high school. That's free tuition the first year plus almost $80,500 already. She should be able to finish just about any degree in 4 years since she will have 57 credits (my estimation) at graduation.

Just FYI Trinity has been talking to her A LOT. She just mentioned going over in August to do a school visit there.

Potentially a great fit wrote:

If you will get aid- you must visit Trinity in San Antonio. Meet with the distance coach.

Coach Emily was outstanding.

Their track and cross country coaching staff has no one by the name of Emily.

Curious` wrote:

Potentially a great fit wrote:

If you will get aid- you must visit Trinity in San Antonio. Meet with the distance coach.

Coach Emily was outstanding.

Their track and cross country coaching staff has no one by the name of Emily.

You are wrong.

As of 1 minute ago, Emily Daum is listed as XC coach at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

New.trinity.edu

Trinity’s website wrote:

As of 1 minute ago, Emily Daum is listed as XC coach at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

All righty, I had the wrong state and wrong school.

Emily Daum is head coach of women's and men's cross country.

It doesn't state what her role is in track. I would make sure she is "head coach"

one way or another for the women's distance program before considering to go there.

The official women's and men's head track coach is a sprinter, Marcus Whitehead.

Curious` wrote:

Trinity’s website wrote:

As of 1 minute ago, Emily Daum is listed as XC coach at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

All righty, I had the wrong state and wrong school.

Emily Daum is head coach of women's and men's cross country.

It doesn't state what her role is in track. I would make sure she is "head coach"

one way or another for the women's distance program before considering to go there.

https://www.trinitytigers.com/sports/xc/coaches/Daum_Emily?view=bio

The official women's and men's head track coach is a sprinter, Marcus Whitehead.

https://www.trinitytigers.com/sports/track/coaches/Marcus_Whitehead?view=bio

What’s your affiliation and interest?

As I said, I am not connected to the school or coach, she is in charge of the women’s distance program , I spent hours talking to her and I saw a lot of the training system details- and I said the thread-starter should meet her.

Curious` wrote:

Emily Daum is head coach of women's and men's cross country.

It doesn't state what her role is in track. I would make sure she is "head coach"

one way or another for the women's distance program before considering to go there.

The official women's and men's head track coach is a sprinter, Marcus Whitehead.

The dad who advised to check TU wrote:

What’s your affiliation and interest? As I said, I am not connected to the school or coach, she is in charge of the women’s distance program , I spent hours talking to her and I saw a lot of the training system details- and I said the thread-starter should meet her.

None. I have zero connection with the school, other than having run on the track there several decades ago. I'm an unbiased observer, as opposed to yourself, who for some strange reason keeps pushing the school.

And you're wrong. Click the second line that I posted. Marcus Whitehead is the head coach of the entire women's and men's track and field program, including the distances. Emily Daum is not even listed as an assistant for the track and field program.

This is why I would make sure that Emily Daum is at least "unofficially" in charge of the women's distance program including track before considering to go there. A clueless sprinter head coach could cause problems. Also a good idea would be to talk with some of the women on the team, but only if considering to go there, and the same goes for any school that's being considered.

Well, I guess thanks for being the police to tap the brakes on a guy (me) who was impressed with a coach. We should all be so suspicious and protect the thread starter because the website says a sprinter is in charge.

Ok i give up good luck wrote:

waaa waaaa boo hooo booo hoooo i'm a crybaby.....

Ohhh boo hooo booo hooo booo hooo hoooo..... didn't get my way booo hooo hoooo.....

Waaa Waaa Waaaa wrote:

Ok i give up good luck wrote:

waaa waaaa boo hooo booo hoooo i'm a crybaby.....

Ohhh boo hooo booo hooo booo hooo hoooo..... didn't get my way booo hooo hoooo.....

Awesome, + 1 for you, you are winning the day.

Let’s get back on track with sound advice and ideas for the OP. You have anything else?

I've folllowed your thread for a long time, and have rally enjoyed hearing about your efforts and your kids. With the info you provided, especially assuming that when you say EFC = 0, this means that you will not be able to contribute and your family income is below 60k, then you might be shocked to know that she may be able to any of the top schools in the country.

1 - check out usnews and world report college rankngs - check both universities AND small liberal arts colleges.

2 - check out Questbridge.org, which is an organization that pairs top low income academic kids with schools offering finaincial aid. The info on this site will really help.

3 - even without running, she would be a strong candidate for any of these schools

4 - with running - she is an even better candidate, as admissions will basically add 200 or so points to SAT, or lower the requirement for an athlete.

Note the athletic divisions of D1, D2 and D3 really have nothing to do with academics. D1 are top athletes with schools offering athletic scholarships (except Ivy and Patriot League). D2 you can mostly ignore. D3 are small schools with no athletic scholarships. Some of the countries best academic schools are, however, in D3. Namely, Williams, Amherst, Chicago, Swarthmore, Haverford, MIT.

At D1 level, your daughter might get a 100% financial aid package, but she would be a "walk on" to the running team. She might never make a contribution to the team, or with proper training she might really improve. At D3 level, she would get 100% financial aid, and then be an integral part of the running team. She might not be a star, but she would be a valued team member, contributing to team results, and also hopefully improving.

In Texas, Rice really is the best academic option. U Texas is also very good. If she is willing to travel, the sky is the limit. matter of fact through Questbridge, the schools often will even fly in the kids for an academic visit. Please take a look at this stuff, she has a real opportunity. I'm happy to follow up with you offline, if I see you are interested. Good luck!!!