Deciding on a college to compete at for the next four years is an important and stressful decision. As such, you want to make sure you have taken your time with the process and done your research for each college/university. In this article, I will discuss six things you should keep in mind when picking a college.
1. Do they have my major?
An important consideration to look into is the college or university's listed majors. If you are extremely passionate about pursuing a specific degree, you need to make sure the university has this as an option. Each college will differ in what majors they offer to students. Therefore, it is important to do your research about the degrees offered.
2. What are their requirements for AP Test Scores?
This question is often overlooked, but it is one you should ask in your recruiting process. Schools differ when it comes to the AP scores they will accept. This really affected me when I decided to transfer from Texas A&M to Nebraska. A&M accepted scores of 3 or better, while Nebraska only accepted scores of 4 or better. Therefore, I didn't get credit at Nebraska for some of the AP courses I took in high school. If you are looking to transfer or graduate early, this is an important consideration.
3. Does the university have a solid professional network for life after sport?
Usually, recruits do not even consider this question when deciding to pick a college. However, it is a very important and mature question to ask. Fortunately, I have been lucky to attend two great colleges that have an extensive connection and networking system in the professional world. It can be an absolute game-changer if you have a degree from your potential employer's university when looking for jobs after college.
4. What does the depth chart look like for my position?
This is an extremely important question to ask especially in today's world with the transfer portal. If you want to go in and make an immediate impact, research the depth for your position. If there are four seniors/grad transfers that you are going to have to compete against, take that into consideration. Understand that there will be competition wherever you go. Everyone wants to earn the starting spot. However, you can increase your chances of playing early in your career if you pick the right college.
5. Are the coaches loyal to their players?
When picking a college, look at the roster turnover each year. Does the team seem to have an entirely new roster each year? This could be a sign that the coach isn't loyal to their athletes. If you don't produce, you are out. However, if the roster seems to stay the same with some slight changes over the years, then it is a good sign that the coaches are loyal to their recruited players and their development. You want a coach who is committed to your development as a player and as a young athlete.
6. Will I be able to find a community outside of my sport?
Your sports team will be your main community while in college. However, it is important to branch out and make friends who aren't involved in athletics. This could be through a church, an extracurricular club, or a sorority/fraternity (if your team allows it). When touring a college, look around for potential avenues you could become involved in. These avenues could drastically alter your collegiate experience.
