<p>I'm from New Mexico and I'm applying to top schools (Stanford, Duke, Yale, Harvard, Hopkins, UPenn) with fairly strong academic stats:</p>
<p>33 ACT
2210 SAT
SAT IIs:
800 Spanish, 800 Math II, 730 Physics
4.0 GPA UW</p>
<p>I've been on varsity track since 9th grade, but I have never even qualified to the state meet (although I'm a contender to place at it this year). Here are my track stats, for anyone they're meaningful to:</p>
<p>Whatever helps, right? You should send in a form and find out if you can talk to the coaches. I did this with the colleges I am applying to, but then again it was easier since they are smaller schools…also check the websites to see what standards/records there are in order to find out how you’d fit in. And yes, sending in a recruitment form could possibly help your chances.</p>
<p>Even the Naval Academy golf team “gets 2-3/yr,” that is students who might not have gotten in w/o golf. But get cracking b/c coaches’ slots are taken first come first serve. You won’t get an athletic scholarship, but they find ways to help athletes they want.</p>
<p>compare your stats with the lowest stats on the team at the colleges you are interested in. If they are even close, write the coach a letter including your track stats, SAT/ACT Scores, unofficial transcript, phone numbers of coach & references and see if they want you to be a recruited walk-on. Can’t hurt, might help. I hear about kids who this works for every year. The recruiting forms go into a huge data base. Fedex your letter if you want someone to see it.</p>
<p>I’m sending you the link to the results of last spring’s Ivy Heptagonals (championship meet for the ivy league) in track and field. You should be able to look at the shot, discus and triple jump results and see how you fit with the top athletes from those schools. You are below the champs, but maybe not by much? My point is the Ivys aren’t always as competitive as other D1s, and your grades/scores make you a match for those schools. If I were you, I’d email the coaches, ASAP, at the Ivies of interest to you, with your academic marks followed by your throwing/jumping prs. You might be pleasantly surprised. The coaches’ emails are easy to find on each school’s athletic website. They will be able to tell you very quickly if you are a recruit or not. </p>
<p>You can pull up results for every school you are interested in to see how you fit. My guess, without digging, would be that it would be tough sledding to make Duke or Stanford, but the others are worth looking into.</p>
<p>“Hello Coach X,
I’m a high school senior from NM. I’ve been on the track team throughout high school, competing as a thrower and triple jumper. I’ve attached an academic and athletic profile. I’m not sure if I’m a fit for your team, but I’d love to hear from you if there is any possibility of my competing for X university.”</p>
<p>lavaplatos
address
phone
email</p>
<p>Your brag sheet should include your academic highlights and also your PR’s in your events. Also include contact information for your track/field coach: his phone number and email. Be brief and to the point. Don’t embellish.</p>
<p>Have you thought about some of the LAC’s like Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, and so on, where your combination of academic excellence and sports performance are very highly valued? You should check their PR’s as well. Here are results from a meet last spring, and there are lots of amazing schools on this list. Your PR’s are still a little low, but you never know what a college coach will see. They KNOW they can make you throw further than you do right now, but how much? You’re a wild card!</p>
<p>Your stats are well below the level that will result in an athletic “tip” by the coach at any of the schools on your list and the NESCAC schools. . Track and field tips are few in number, as compared to the helmet sports. However, there is no harm in completing the athletic recruit applications.</p>
<p>Definitely send a letter. I would suggest avoiding saying anything like, “I’m not sure I fit, etc..” Rather, I would say something along the lines of "hello, my name is… I am interested in attending xyz college in Fall xxxx and want to introduce myself. I think I would be a great fit for your track team in the following events. I would like to learn more about your program. I have enclosed my unofficial transcripts, PSAT’s/other test scores, meet statistics, numbers of my HS coach and other references. If NCAA rules permit, i would like to invite you to see me at the following events on these dates. I will be in touch. sincerley, john doe. Include a photo, ht. & wt. and contact information. colleges recruit on potential, not necessarily what people have already done.</p>
<p>The WUSTL head coach emailed me back and said he’s “very interested.”</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>I’ll look into smaller LACs riverrunner. After glancing at Amherst’s site I can safely say I’d lead their team in each of my events. Unfortunately, that school in particular is a little too cold for me.</p>
<p>Thanks for keeping this thread alive everyone!</p>
<p>Yes. My son did not think he could possibly play college level but there are some small schools, some sports where they are looking for anyone who is interested and the teams are no cut. How much of a strong hook that would be for admissions is up in the air, certainly not as strong as being an athletic recruit, but many colleges want to see kids who are going to be interested in those athletic clubs, facilities and activities. You never know who likes seeing this kind of enthusisam.</p>
<p>OK, If your athletic abilities are that strong[ referring to you post about Amherst], you should also apply to Pomona and Claremont Mckenna in sunny S Calif.</p>
<p>Yes, menlo, good idea. I think he would contribute to the team and be a good academic match. Personal experience with coaches there tells me they can’t/won’t be able to help much with admissions, but it could be very fun to be a student there, and be on the track team. For that matter, Pepperdine and Occidental, as well, depending on major.</p>
<p>Hmmm that was a stupid mistake… I meant to say that Amherst is a little too SMALL for me, but I guess my subconscious had more to say about it :)</p>
<p>Good luck. I am going to walk on for track wherever I get accepted at. I’m not really trying to get recruited, I’m not sure why but I just don’t want to go to school mainly for sports. I’m still not sure whether I want to run or not either, </p>
<p>I’m pretty good but I’m not sure if I am willing to sacrifice my college years just for training.</p>
<p>dank08, DIIIs and the Ivies can’t give you a scholarship, so there is much more motivation to find a mutual fit and make things work. And if it’s not working, you can walk. College student-athletes in these programs seem to do fine academically, possibly because the structure of school/workout/study is so ingrained. Plus the community and other benefits of working out daily are there. However, if it feels like a sacrifice, don’t do it.</p>