Did you know that the first modern college track competition was held in England in 1864? Oxford and Cambridge fielded their best track athletes, and the match ended in a draw. Indeed, this track and field tradition dates back to the beginning of time when running, jumping, and throwing have been natural human movements.
Nowadays, women's track and field athletes shine at the college level as much as their male counterparts. Sydney McLaughlin, K. Gill, and Delaney Smith are just a few of the bright stars, and, soon, you may be one too!
Although college is expensive, they can significantly reduce the costs with an athletic scholarship based on your best track and field qualifications. You will see that Division I and Division II institutions in the NCAA award athletic scholarships to their student-athletes. But the Ivy League division does not offer athletic scholarships per CE at the school - instead, they offer a combination of scholarships, funding, and grants.
The number of scholarships allowed under the NCAA rules varies by division level, as detailed below: (Note that this number is only for best colleges for women's track and field scholarships in 2021.)
- Division I – 18 scholarships
- Division II – 12.6 scholarships
- NAIA – 12 scholarships
Most track scholarships are partial rides, meaning that the scholarship will include only a fraction or part of the cost of attendance but will not cover the entire cost of attendance equipment. Colleges and universities can offer full-ride scholarships to the best athletes, as long as the scholarship limit is met, as per NCAA rules.
There has also been a reduction in the rules and regulations regarding scholarships and need-based financing, not athletic ability. The NCAA One Council has decided that from August 1, 2020, you will not count academic scholarships and need-based funding for athletes provided for track and field against the maximum athletic scholarship limit. Û” Before this decision, student-athletes had to meet strict criteria for any additional funding that did not cover the entire program.
More and more athletic scholarship ceilings will still apply. But student-athletes will now be allowed to receive as many scholarships and need-based financial assistance as they are eligible for. This means that student-athletes will have more breathing rooms, which is a welcome respite for families who feel their income is declining due to widespread unemployment.
But going to the track and field program with the best opportunities for an athletic scholarship is not a walk in the park! It would be best if you started scouting the best schools as soon as possible, maybe in your junior high school. It would be best if you also prepared your educational and athletic customs so that recruiters can take notice.
Here are a few steps to get you started on the right foot for the Best Colleges for Women's Track and Field Scholarships in 2021
- Understand the level of rigor of each Division first. Although NCAA Division I schools are the most attractive, their athletic programs are the most demanding, both academically and athletically. The process of recruiting and selecting them can also be brutal, resulting in only elite players joining the program - and staying there.
- Research the schools you are interested in. You should consider the schools' educational and athletic reputation, location, scholarship programs, and culture. You have to consider that you can live the next four years as well as the life, say, Florida Gator, so a fit must be.
- If you are not a good prospect for track and field programs, build your system and make yourself look good. Ideally, you should include skill videos, academic transcripts, athletic stats, and ACT / SAT scores. You should check this several times until you are satisfied that it will get the coaches' attention.
- Communicate with college coaches, usually via email. Put yourself in the shoes of coaches and find creative ways to get out of the crowd. Be sure to provide a link to the video for your skilled video, line up an appropriate article on the email, and create an individualized email.
In many ways, going to a great track and field program in college is a race in itself! You have to be the best and run with enthusiasm, preparation, and perseverance - like a real champion.
Check out these page jumps to learn more about
The 15 best colleges for women's track and field scholarships in 2021:
- University of Southern California
- The University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- University of Oregon
- University of Georgia
- University of Florida
- The University of Texas at Austin
- Texas A&M University
- University of Notre Dame
- Purdue University
- Baylor University
- Virginia Tech
- University of Alabama
- University of Missouri – Columbia
- Auburn University
- University of Kansas
Conclusion
Now that you know the best colleges for women's track and field scholarships in 2022, you should start researching these schools!
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