<p>My daughter is a junior, interested in some Northeast LACs. She runs track in HS, and would like to run Div. III track in college. We think her times fall within the range of the schools she's interested in, but they will probably be faster this spring when track season rolls around.</p>
<p>Should she wait until she has some junior year times, or send forms in now?</p>
<p>NOW! She can update coaches with junior year times as she gets them. Best of luck!</p>
<p>I agree 100% with fishymom. I strongly urge your daughter to try to establish a dialogue and hopefully a recruiting relationship with the college coaches now. As she progresses, she can update the coaches on her progress. This gives her “an excellent excuse” to continue to follow up with coaches during the recruiting process. Not only should she fill out forms, she should email and call the coaches at the schools she is interested in…this is the process. Many on this board have been through it. So if you have questions don’t be shy! Good luck.</p>
<p>I agree your D should make contact now. This would be true regardless, but especially since you are from the west coast it’s important to demonstrate interest at this time. Coaches tend to recruit in their own geographic area for reasons of practicality–ease for the coach and because of the student-athlete’s likelihood of attending.</p>
<p>I’ve gone through the recruiting process.</p>
<p>The forms didn’t get me any results in terms of legitimate action from the coaches. They only responded/referred to the forms if they were ALREADY interested in me. </p>
<p>For example–I sent in one of them to Georgetown, got an automated response back. Didn’t hear a word about it from the coaches until I visited in the beginning of fall. </p>
<p>Basically, they aren’t enough to get you anywhere, but they definitely show interest and will be referred to to get quick stats by coaches. Maybe other sports/schools are different, but that’s what I seemed to see in my experience.</p>