Hi all,
I was wondering how the D3 recruiting process worked. For instance, I’m applying to a combination of selective D3 schools and highly selective larger schools.I know I couldn’t run D1 but if I got into one of the D3 schools and I toured it and want to go there could I contact the coach saying since I’ve got accepted, given my race times is there a spot on the team available for me? or would this be the wrong approach as the track and cross country teams would be full by then? should I reach out to coaches now even though I don’t know which schools I’ll get accepted to?
thanks for the help
What are your 5k times? I know a kid (male, assuming from your “Andrew” name) who just graduated from a smaller D3 who ran in the 19 minute range in HS, but 17:30 or better gives you many more chances. It never hurts to contact the coach with your times and your interest.
Don’t know much about times and all, but I just wants to make sure you knew D3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships.
If you are picking the school without a guarantee of running (you’ll go there anyway) you can contact the coach after you are accepted. If you want to run and will pick a school that will let you run, and have a choice among several schools, contact the coaches now so that you’ll know what the chances are of making the team when the acceptances come in. If you want help in getting into a D3 school and you think your athletics are good enough to be on the team, contact the coach NOW. He may be able to give you a boost in the admissions office.
There are hundreds of D3 schools. Some will recruit and have a full team, others will have try outs, still others will take all who want to be on the team. You have to look up the times for each school and the policies of the coaches.
At many D3 schools, coaches are not given as many recruiting tips as they need to fill a roster, especially if the team had a lot of seniors the prior year . Also, at many schools, coaches are happy to take all comers in sports like XC, swimming, crew and have them practice. Whether they compete is a different story, especially when travel is involved, although they will often find a way to include them in home events. Effectively, this means that without having been recruited, you could be on the team.
If you look at meet results and see you are competitive at the schools where you have applied, by all means reach out to the coaches and let them know you have applied and are interested in running next year. They might put in a word for you with admissions. Regardless of what they can do for your application, arrange to talk to them at accepted students days; they’ll let you know how they run their programs and whether you can be involved.
Talk to your HS XC coach. They will likely be able to give you guidance on your chances in college and may be able to guide you to schools that give you the best opportunity. Often they will have contact that can help (D3 is much different in recruiting rules than D1 obviously) or if nothing else can describe the process at this level. Good luck!
D3 is a bit easier than the other Divisions in that there are loss NCAA requirements and red tape.
You just need to start a dialog with the coaches at the schools you are considering. Most college websites have an on line form for prospective athletes where you can input your running times and submit to the coach. They will then respond back to you.
Every school has different time requirements so you will only know by contacting the coach. You can also e-mail them and ask what the walk on standards are for a baseline. This is just a guide. Getting accepted and sitting in the coaches office eager to join the team can go a long way. All coaches want athletes that are good dedicated people that will bring good energy to the team. If you have this, then they are glad to have you.
Good luck.
Are you a junior or senior currently? Do you want to be a walk-on athlete or recruited? Each school will have events/times listed on their website from the previous season. Are your times comparable? Would you be an asset to the team? If so, email the coach and fill out the recruitment form. They will tell you how their team is handled.
My 5k PR is 1730, and I’m currently a senior I just finished applying to a lot of schools. they were a combination academically competitive D3 and D1 schools. if I get into some of the competitive D1 schools I might just go there and run club or something. I don’t have a number 1 school in my mind so I can’t say I want to be recruited necessarily. For example, if I got into Cornell I would just go there because it’s an amazing school and I think they have club cross country, so I’d just do that. I’m wondering is there anything wrong with reaching out to a bunch of D3 coaches to let them know I’ve applied and I’m interested in running? or should I be pledging my allegiance to a single school? how does that part work?
thanks
Tennis player here. I was recruited by D3 schools and I started but did not complete the recruiting process because I attend a D1 school. Depending on the school the coach will contact you and you’ll follow the steps for admission and NCAA requirements. You will sign a letter of intent which is a written agreement to go. With D3 it is quite possible to walk on as well. Best bet is to call the coaches personally. It will also help to have records, an athletic resume, and maybe a recruitment video put together if possible.
^^ you only sign a NLI if you receive a scholarship in D1 and D2. Some of those teams have walk-ons too, some don’t. No money, no commitment.
Yes, you can contact multiple coaches and let them know you want to run. If you get along well, you might select School A over School B just because of the opportunity with the coach.
17:30 would find a place in most D3 programs. You probably won’t be in the top 7 and may not get to race much, but most D3 coaches are happy to have runners like you working out with the team. And you might improve! You can do as @twoinanddone suggests just to get a sense of the coaches and programs. Just let them know you’ve applied and you’re wondering if someone with your times may be able to join the team. You don’t need to act like any school is your first choice. The coaches aren’t recruiting you and they will understand your position. Clubs at D1 can be really fun also.
okay thanks, I’ll start reaching out to coaches just to cover my bases and see what happens.