Running Recruit for Top Colleges

Athletic Recruits
1

Hi,
I’m new to College Confidential but I wanted to post in case anyone can advise me on the admissions/recruiting process for athletes. I’m a high school junior (female), and I want to run for an academically-prestigious college.

My dream school has always been Stanford, as I love the location, campus, academic rigor, and running program. Of course, I understand that my chances at being admitted to this school are very low (particularly if I go the regular admissions route). I have begun to email the coach, and met with her in person, and she seems to be very receptive. Still, I’m not sure if this is considered being recruited? She did say that later, if it seems that Stanford is a good fit for both of us, she would theoretically write a letter of support to the admissions office. This is not a guarantee by any means, so I wouldn’t want to go down this route, not get accepted, and then lose opportunities at other colleges.

I’m interested in Ivy League schools as well (UPenn, Harvard, etc) particularly because academics are prioritized over athletics there more so than Stanford. However, I’m not sure if I would have a chance at getting into these schools.

Some stats to give you an idea of where I stand…

My times for track are:
10:17 in the 3200m
4:50 in the 1600m
2:14 in the 800m.

In XC the times vary depending on the course, but I have broken 17 minutes for 3-miles and am generally in the mid-17:00’s.
So far, I’ve run 3 seasons of XC and am on my 3rd season of track. I have some high-caliber performances (state/national meets). I run 30 - 35 miles per week.

Academic wise, I have a 4.0 GPA, 5 AP’s by the end of junior year, and next year I am taking 7 AP’s. I got a 1470 on the PSAT and am shooting for a mid-to-high 1500’s SAT score (taking it next month).

Let me know your thoughts; where I stand for recruitment and what steps I should take to make myself a good candidate. Thanks!

2

Go to College Signings: Class of 2023 and filter on Stanford to look at the class of 2022 (and prior year) signers. It looks like you are in the mix - and they do sign some of the best athletes in the country. Expect recruiting competition from Chmiel (Saratoga) who is also in your class and is 4:44 in the 1600 and sub-10 in the 3200 and will probably have her choice of schools.

You can’t be recruited yet - not until after July 1. If you are, the likely first step will be the coach asking you for grades/transcript over the summer to do a pre-read with admissions (essentially to determine if she needs to use an admission slot to get you). Good grades, we found, were a huge advantage.

Try to stay healthy. Junior/senior year is when a lot of the top female distance athletes seem to get injured.

3

You need to develop a list of about 10 schools you would like to attend, and start emailing those coaches too. You are looking for the school that is the best fit for you that also needs an athlete like you. Try to email the coaches periodically with updates to keep your name fresh in their minds.

4

Agree with the above post. You would be recruited by ivies with those times - make sure you do an official visit at the school that you are interested in. My D eliminated a top contender based on what she experienced at an official, and the ivies definitely have a different culture. Read “What Made Maddy Run” before picking a school for prestige unless the fit is perfect.

5

Agree with what others said. Keep in mind most coaches will want you to apply ED if your want their support. Make sure you can afford the school, as ivy league schools do not offer athletic scholarships.

6

Look at G-Town as well, more similar to Stanford than some of the Ivy’s you listed… much better weather and running.

7

You can be recruited before July 1, unless that is some specific track date. September 1 of your junior year is the first date you can be contacted by coaches. Even then there is some recruiting going on before that in some sports. My understanding is that girls track is a late recruiting sport though. It sounds like you are being at least considered.

You should scan through the posts here from the last couple of years. Even things that are specific to a different sport frequently will have good information that helps everyone.

If you are interested in Ivy schools, I would advise you to contact those coaches. Lots of athletes are not academically eligible or in the right place financially to go to an Ivy. So I think with those schools in particular it is good for you to reach out to them and let them know you are interested and will probably qualify. Send an email with an academic/athletic resume. Be sure to personalize the email a bit. Lots of info about that on old threads.

8

Track recruiting for DIII starts Jan 1 of your junior year and DI and DII starts on July 1st after junior year. You can initiate contact and make campus visits before then and coaches may DM you prior to that, but that’s it.

9

NCAA rules for D 1 have just changed. Recruiting now can start on Sept 1 of your junior year

10

Starts with the next school year, which to me means it will apply to rising juniors.

11

Thanks for all of the replies everyone.
From what I understand from my coaches, I think it’s true that the “official” recruiting process starts July 1. But I am in email correspondence with a few coaches, and I have provided Stanford and some other colleges with transcripts upon request. The junior class is especially competitive for running, which I’m very aware of, and so I don’t want to be unrealistic. Still, I’m fairly optimistic about my running career – and although I don’t expect to be at the same level as the top national runners, I am currently peaking in my track season and I think I can produce even more competitive times by the end of the season.
I should definitely start researching other colleges to visit and make contact with, but I’m hoping that Stanford is within reach! I visited over Spring Break and I fell in love with the campus and the town, and also my brother is a current junior there (non athletic).
In terms of academics I feel like I have a bit of an edge, but I’m not sure. I go to a very competitive school (top in my state) and take a lot of AP’s so maybe that helps?
I’ll see how things play out, for now I’ll take the advice given above and do more research, contact coaches, and maintain my academics. If anyone has experience with recruiting or Stanford admissions please drop in your thoughts!

12

@teabillowy : In your original post in this thread, you wrote that “I run 30 - 35 miles a week”. Expect that to change.

13

The best thing to do is to keep all of your options open at this point. Girls/women often peak in their junior year and coaches know that. Keep sending updates via email to coaches at all schools you are interested in. Do not wait for coaches to contact you, reach out to them first.

My second hand experience with Stanford is that the coaches are fairly direct with where you stand and can influence admissions if they want you. However, as with most schools, coaches change often and you are two years away from attending and a lot can happen. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t know where you stand when applying, that happens a lot in track and recruiting for non-Ivy’s goes well into senior year.

14

I think you are in a good position athletically and academically for Stanford, and in even better shape for the Ivies. Definitely email the coaches at about 10 schools you are interested in and see what response you receive. If you know students who currently run for the colleges you like, try to get a sense from them about team dynamics and how they feel about the distance coach. They will be understandably and correctly reserved about voicing negative opinions, however faint praise will be a clue you should tread carefully.