<p>After years of playing competitive basketball, my D (a junior in HS) took up cross country this fall. She's been quite successfull for never having run XC (she plans on running winter and spring track). She's been placing very well in her meets and has begun to receive letters accompanied by questionnaires from several colleges. She would very much like to run in college. She's a great student with a 4.0 average (all honors and AP classes). She will be registering with the NCAA as soon as the season wraps up.</p>
<p>Can anyone explain to me the meaning of these letters and what she may expect in the coming months?</p>
<p>That’s great - sounds like she has a lot of natural ability and will only improve with training. If the letters and questionnaires are generic in nature, it doesn’t mean a great deal. If the schools interest her, by all means follow up with the coach and fill out he questionnaires. But if she really wants to run in college she should take an active role in seeking out schools that interest her athletically and academically and initiate contact with the coaches.</p>
<p>As for athletic scholarship money in XC and T&F - most athletes will earn partials. There are 18 womens D1 track scholarships to spread out over the entire roster of XC and Track women. So don’t get your hopes too high about a big athletic scholarship. Also, make sure she takes a good look at D3 programs. No athletic money but with her academics she may get great merit-based FA.</p>
<p>Agree with Varska on the above post, however I would only add that there is no reason not to fill out the questionnaires. Someone once described it best by saying a coach will send out A LOT of questionnaires etc… similar to a fisherman casting out a wide net and who knows what fish they may catch. Unless it is a school she is completely uninterested in I would suggest filling out all of them. The more opportunity for her the better. I would also add to look into NAIA. My daughter is a freshman bb NAIA player and she received both academic and athletic money. Private schools often have more to give, thereby making it less expensive than a public education in the long run. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you for the info! She definitely plans to contact the coaches of schools she plans on applying to in September 2012. She’ll send back questionnaires only to schools she would consider attending. </p>
<p>momof 2010, can she register with he NCAA and the NAIA?</p>