Did you know that only approximately 7% of high school athletes go on to participate in college spots? In other words, only 1 in 13 high school athletes move on to the next level! Then, just 1 in 57 (55 for women) go onto play Division 1 sports. 

With those kinds of odds, it is important to be aware that rejection can happen with at least one or two colleges on your list during the recruiting process. Nobody likes rejection, but if you want to play a college sport, you better be ready to face it. Everything happens for a reason, so when you get rejected by a college or university, at the end of the day it was because it was not the right fit for you. 

Even so, rejection stings–here are some things you can do to deal with it. 

Related: Recruiting FAQ: What if I'm a Recruit in a State That Doesn't Get a Lot of Attention

Acknowledge that rejection is a  part of the recruiting process

When you accept that a coach didn't recruit you to be part of their team you are opening doors to new opportunities. Embrace this as part of the process and don't give up because if you are persistent you can still find a school that fits you in all aspects. 

Learn from it

When a college coach has rejected you, turn it into a teaching moment and try to understand why. Is it because you are not looking for schools that fit you? Is it because you are not saying the right things? You can also ask the coach directly why he/she rejected you if you can't  figure it out on your own. Remember: nothing is a failure if you learn from it and apply that knowledge in your future. 

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

Be honest with yourself 

Once you've figured out what you did wrong, consider asking yourself which athletic level is the right fit for you. If you're only looking at D1 schools, have you considered D2, D3, or NAIA options as well? Would you be better suited there? Being honest with yourself and expanding your options can make  your college search easier and more enjoyable. 

Rejection is one of the hardest parts of the recruiting process but if you accept it, learn from it, and are honest with yourself, you have a better chance of being successful and going to the right school that fits all your abilities, not only athletically but also academically and socially. Never give up, be persistent, and enjoy the process.

 
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* Originally published on July 7, 2022, by Camila Cramer