Choosing a College or University
This is the 6th part of a mini-series on Tips for High School Runners.
Catch up on the previous topics in the mini-series:
For many high school student-athletes, choosing a college or university is easy. Maybe you got in to your dream school and have no interest in looking elsewhere. But sometimes deciding on a school is a tough choice. Here are some things to consider when making this big decision.
Visit in-person if possible
An in-person visit is the best way to get an idea if a school is a good fit. Tour the campus, meet with the coach, and get to know the current team members. Visits are even more helpful if you can visit multiple schools and compare the experiences.
Prioritize Academics
It’s easy to gloss over the “student” part of “student-athlete” while considering schools, especially for incoming freshmen who are undecided on their major. But make sure to consider what your life will be like apart from the team, because sports are never guaranteed. If you get injured, if your interests change, or if you get cut from the team — would you thrive at that school? And in the long run, will your education and degree set you up for success in the workforce?
Consider also that not all schools are equally challenging in their academic programs. You’ll have to maintain a minimum the GPA to be academically eligible to play sports.
Ask about what kind of academic support is offered if/when you have to miss class due to athletics.
Avoid Debt
Education is certainly an investment in the future but in many scenarios it is not necessary to take on the amount of debt that so many young people do.
If your dream school is out of country or state/province and offers no financial aid or scholarships, going to that school could easily result in overwhelming debt for you after graduation. Even if the program is top-notch, you will be there for 4-5 years at the most while incurring debts that you’ll have to pay for decades.
Consider schools and programs that are most likely to have scholarship or financial aid available for you. Consider staying in-state/province and attending a public institution or community college (even if only for a year or two while working through prerequisites) before transferring to your expensive dream school. You will not regret minimizing the amount of debt you take on.
Know Yourself
Ask yourself what is most important to you as a runner and what you want for your experience as a student-athlete.
Consider:
Do you want to be on a winning team even if it means sometimes you don’t make the travel squad?
Do you want to be surrounded by athletes better than yourself or would you rather be the team star?
Do you want to walk-on to a nation-leading team even if that means knowing you’ll have to improve quickly or risk being cut?
During my time as a student-athlete and as a coach at the University of Michigan, some walk-on (non-recruited) student-athletes improved quickly and ended up as Big10 Champions and All-Americans, while others ended up being cut from the varsity squad.
Would you like to increase the impact of your individual performance by joining a team that isn’t crazy deep, or a division that isn’t the highest level?
I had teammates who came to Michigan for graduate school and became national champions. But as freshmen, they were not ready for D1 competition. They earned their undergraduate degrees at schools in DII and DIII conferences and along the way enjoyed scoring points, winning championships and leading their teams.
Be realistic and thoughtful about what you need to thrive, both while getting your education and beyond. Ask yourself first and foremost where you will get a great education, because life and career after sports is in your future.
And when it comes to running, ask yourself where you will be given the attention and opportunity you need to develop your talents and continue to improve. Understanding your own needs and dreams as an athlete can help you choose an institution where you will thrive.
My Personal Story
As a prospective student-athlete, I visited 5 different colleges in the US. All 5 had D1 athletic programs. 3 were small or very small private universities and 2 were large public universities.
Early on, I felt decided on a small private school who had recruited me hard and where I would be the star. I grew tired of traveling on recruiting trips and wanted to commit and move forward. But the visit to Michigan was already scheduled.
In Ann Arbor I met teammates who could be my actual friends in a year’s time — and who were running really fast. I trusted the coach and felt comfortable with the training philosophy. My major was undecided, but Michigan’s great academic reputation gave me confidence in the education I would receive. And I really liked the campus and city. Ultimately, the in-person visit changed my mind.
Upcoming Topics
Role of the Parents
Freshman Year - Tips for success and adjustment during the first year of college/university.
Nicole Sifuentes is a full-time Running Coach for adults of all ages and abilities. She is a former professional runner and 2-time Olympian, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Read more about her services, and schedule your free coaching consultation.