Hi, I’m finishing up applications, just as I’m sure you all are. I just had an idea; being a decent cross country runner (district champ, state qualifier) I wondered if submitting the recruitment forms now would help my chances. My essays and EC’s show commitment and strength for running, so would the admissions officers know if I filled out the form? And would it help my chances?
It is not too late to be a recruited athlete at some schools, but it really depends on the school and how good you are. If you are asking if it will help at Harvard or Stanford, the answer is no, it will not help with admissions. If you are asking if it will help at Kansas State or at a D3 school, it might if the coach steps in to start recruiting you. It will not help at all if you are planning to be a walk on.
Also admissions does not see the forms, only coaches, who, in turn will contact you if interested. At this time, I would follow up form submission with an email.call to the coach
Will not help unless admissions hears from the coach that you are one of the handful of runners he is interested in helping with admissions.
Email the coaches directly (our experience was that the questionnaires were a waste of time by senior year) and tell them you are applying to their school. Give them your times/marks, your grades and test scores. Ask if there is a spot for you on the team. If they are interested, and you are a good fit, they will follow up with you and let you know if they can give you any help.
What “help” a coach can give varies dramatically based on division, school and coach, but unless you have been rejected already by admissions it is not too late to contact the coach. In more than one instance my son had a coach “check” the status of his pending application. However, if you do not initiate contact the coach will never know you exist.
@cappex : The fact that you’re just now considering filling out those forms makes me wonder if you are genuinely interested in running for a college team?