Getting recruited to a Division III school is different from other divisions in a handful of ways, and athletes may commit to a DIII school for very different reasons. It's important to understand the differences in the recruiting process and the reasons to choose DIII as you consider colleges to commit to.
4 Reasons to Choose DIII
- Money isn't a motivating factor
- You just want to play you sport, no matter the level
- You would rather focus on academics
- You simply didn't receive offers elsewhere
Related: Different Divisions – Different Intent Agreements for College Sports
3 Key Differences between DIII and DI/DII
- You can't get any athletic scholarship money when at the DIII level
- DIII sports are less involved, and usually less of a time commitment than at the higher levels
- DIII schools don't use the NCAA National Letter of Intent (NLI)
Related: What Makes Division III Scholarships Different?
When getting recruited to a DIII three school, make sure to remember why you are going to college. Because of the difference in competitiveness and the lack of athletic scholarships, most DIII athletes are going to school to get a degree, then play a sport, not the other way around. The odds of Division III athletes continuing their career after college is a lot less likely than a Division 1 and even 2 athlete. For this reason, you need to focus on your class and major.
Related: Top 5 Division III Football Stadiums
Your priorities may vary, but based on those priorities, DIII recruits need to go where they think the best fit is for them. How well they like the campus, the size of the campus, the team dynamic, and non-athletic scholarship opportunities all play a role.
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* Originally published on December 21, 2021, by Brendan Duffy
