<p>I’m a junior in high school currently. In the past, I have ran track and field. I am not amazing, but I have potential to be amazing. This year I decided to quit running the four hundred and compete only in long jump. Last year, my farthest jump was about 16 feet. I think if I dedicate my self to long jump, I can pull out amazing length. Here is a video of me jump: <object width=“425” height=“344”><param name=“movie” value=“http://www.youtube.com/v/BxiG1TXpCyM&hl=en&fs=1”><param name=“allowFullScreen” value=“true”><param name=“allowscriptaccess” value=“always”><embed src=“http://www.youtube.com/v/BxiG1TXpCyM&hl=en&fs=1” type=“application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=“always” allowfullscreen=“true” width=“425” height=“344”></object></p>
<p>The thing is though, I have no idea if I can or can’t. I have a 4.6 GPA right now and I’m taking high rigorous courses. My question is if later this year/ senior year, I get really good marks, is there a possibility I can get a scholarship to a top school like UCLA? I read on the site they want most of there recruiting done by freshman/sophomore year, but I was wondering if I show talent, and good academics, is there a chance I can get a scholarship, or should I give up now?</p>
<p>Also, one you are awarded a scholarship, and you later decide to quit the sport, are you kicked out of the school and your scholarship removed or what?</p>
<p>An athletic scholarship is awarded based on participating in athletics… so yeah, you have to participate or you’ll lose the scholarship. They would not force you to leave the school, however.</p>
<p>As to your question of timing, it’s one of those things you can’t do anything about. If you want to put your energy into this one event in hopes of a scholarship, then go for it. Yeah, it is late and many coaches will have their eye on other athletes already, however, things can be very fluid in sports recruiting and it’s possible a late opportunity could arise… if not at UCLA, then perhaps elsewhere. You really should just do it, though, because you want to pursue that event for the sake of personal challenge, and then see if it may open other possibilities for you. It might, it might not. Since you can’t know, it’s best to just follow where your interest takes you and see how it all shakes out.</p>
<p>If you are interested in UCLA for track and field, why not attend their summer camp? They put one on every summer and coaches from UCLA T & F run it. If no camp, look up what the younger members of UCLA’s team are jumping and see if you are in the ball park. If so, send the jumps coach your resume, a dvd of your jumps, a transcript, SAT scores, and a copy of your spring schedule. Can’t hurt, might help. Your athletic scholarship is taken away when you stop competing. Injured athletes usually get a medical scholarship instead of an athletic scholarship. You can stay enrolled in school regardless. Send your info to any schools you are interested in, your stats may help a lot with admissions. Good luck.</p>