Division II: Provides partial athletic scholarships. Recruits some students, also many opportunities for walk-ons without scholarships.

Division III: Does not provide athletic scholarships. Athletes are eligible for academic and/or financial assistance, but no money based on athletic prowess. Cannot recruit without the student making the first move, by either informing the coach or the admissions department of an interest in the particular sport. A good choice for students who enjoy playing sports, but want to focus on academics first and foremost.

If you are being recruited and you want Track to be your life first and foremost, consider a DI offer. With your “average” academics, an athletic scholarship may be the best option to pay for a majority/all of your tuition.

If you want to have more of a balance between your academics and your love of Track, a DII (if you depend on athletic money) or DIII (if your grades are good enough to qualify you for some scholarship money) would be your best bets.

But I would really encourage you to sit down with both the admissions departments and the athletic departments at the schools that you’re interested in and discuss what your personal goals are in both sports and academics, and they can give you a better idea if their program is a good match for you (and if you’ll qualify for any athletic money) than we can.

It depends on how important athletics are to you and your abilities to determine which division school would be best for you. If you want to concentrate more on academics with athletics being a component of your college experience, then don’t go to a D I school.