<p>So, I know that I've definitely waited too long to begin thinking about this, but I've recently realized how badly I want to run (track and cross country, but particularly track) at some of the schools I'm applying to. Is it too late to even consider this?</p>
<p>This year's track season hasn't even began yet, so I feel like I might still have a chance. By the end of this season I'm pretty confident that I will be competitive with other runners at Columbia/UPenn/definitely NYU, and so I was wondering if I should even bother trying to contact the coaches there. </p>
<p>Also, should I have my coach contact them, or should I do it? I'm a girl, but I practice with the boys team at my school, so should I have the boy's distance coach (I pretty much consider him my own coach) or the girl's coach contact them? The boy's coach knows much more about my abilities and the times I run and stuff like that. It's only the second year the girl's coach has been here so she is still fairly new to the sport.</p>
<p>I was thinking that I could call/email the coach? The only reason I think that this *might[/] happen is because the track season hasn’t even started yet, and a LOT can happen in one track season (for better or worse). People can imporve a lot, or they could get a lot worse. It just depends on the individual.</p>
<p>There are a lot of track/XC posters here who can weigh in specifically about track timetables, but generally speaking I think a recruitable level applicant could still get a boost from a coach even at this late point in the game. It’s probably worth a couple of phone calls to coaches.</p>
<p>Have you already applied to these schools? If so, go ahead and contact the coach, you have nothing to lose! But if you have not applied yet, not sure about this, how about it CCers, how flexible are application deadlines in this situation?</p>
<p>You mentioned Penn and Columbia, I would say it is too late to get any sort of a meaningful admissions boost from the coach at this point. If your primary objective is just to compete and you aren’t looking for an admissions boost or scholarship (NYU) I’m sure the coaches will be happy to have you walk on.</p>
<p>Well, I’m a bit worried about getting admitted (my scores aren’t “stellar” - more like average for those schools) so I mean an academic boost would be absolutely great, but if I do happen to get in on my own I would definitely try and walk on. </p>
<p>Sorry if it seems like I’m asking dumb questions, but what would be the best way to contact them? Should I be the one to cal/email the head track coach or should I have my own coach at the moment do that? Should it be through email, phone call… both? Sorry, I’m just new to this.</p>
<p>This situation is new to me, too, so I don’t know. I think you should call the coaches and try to talk with them. Interactive conversation is much more productive than trading emails.</p>