This article was written with contributions from Melvin Briggs II.
Starting your recruiting process can be just daunting as it can be exciting. Athletes and families across the country dream of the moment when they can begin to search for their next home. How can you be sure you're making the right decision? The most important thing you should remember during this period is to be 100% honest with yourself about where you currently are and where you can realistically be in the next 3-5 years.
Your recruiting process should begin with a plan that addresses these three college decision factors:
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
Academics:
The beginning and the most important part of every recruiting process regardless of division is your grades. Your academics can be the only difference between attending your dream school or Junior College. During high school, it is important to monitor your academics and hold yourself to the standards that universities and college coaches would have for their students.
Related: Athletes' Tips on Balancing your GPA and College Football
NCAA Clearinghouse
Ensure that you are first and foremost registered in the NCAA Clearinghouse to begin your recruiting process. If you want the opportunity to receive an athletic scholarship from a Division I or II program, you must be registered AND cleared.
What to Look For
Once given the green light, you should begin deciding what type of institution will be the best academic fit for you. You can look at 2 different criteria based off your current academic standing:
- GPA
- Study habits
Having a clear idea of where you stand academically can help avoid wasted time with colleges and recruiters who may not fit your standards, or whose standards you may not meet.
Related: Recruiting Horror Stories™: My Grades Cost Me Scholarship Offers
Focusing on the right schools includes knowing what type of student you are. Some schools are hands-on and research-based, while some are more thesis-based. There's nothing wrong with either one! The important thing is you are placing yourself in the best position to succeed in the classroom. No classroom, no athletics.
Know what type of experience you are looking for! If academics has a higher priority over athletics, and you are currently doing well in the classroom, then the NAIA, Division III, Ivy League, or even academic Division I schools such as Stanford, UCLA, Duke, and Notre Dame may be ideal destinations for you.
Related: Recruiting Must-Do's: Division I Academic Requirements & Eligibility
Athletic Experience:
What is your desired athletic experience? This portion of the recruiting process requires you to be honest with yourself about where you currently are as an athlete. With millions of high school athletes around the country, only a small fraction go on to play NCAA athletics. In order to know how to market yourself, having an idea of what caliber player you are will allow for you to know where to start.
Related: I Transferred from DI to DIII & Became a Two-Time National Champion
Getting Noticed
If you are currently ranked or have invites to exclusive high-profile camps and showcases, then you are likely on someone's radar. Others may have to work towards reaching coaches through different ways such as emails, open-invite camps, and purely outworking competition without the lights on them.
Know What You Want in a Coach
You want to ask yourself, “What type of coach brings the best out of me?” There are many different types of coaches out there; the firm coach, the loud mouth coach, the chill coach, and the parental coach. It's important that your coach fits you as an athlete. The coach-athlete relationship is one of the most vital parts of your college experience, and often a college athlete's horror story can begin with an unfit relationship.
Related: 4 Types of College Coaches
What Role You Want on the Team
You should know whether or not you want to make an immediate impact. Not every sports program is built the same. Some are well-established, well-oiled championship contending teams with a winning formula. This may be a program where, unless you are college ready, you could be looking at little to no playing time within your first year or two. Others are in the rebuilding stage, and have room for players to come in immediately and compete for a starting spot. Competition is never something to shy away from, but ultimately, you only have 5 years of eligibility, so understand what you are walking into.
Related: How to Decide Which Division to Play College Sports
Financial:
Affordability! The last question you should ask yourself before pursuing any institution is, “Can I afford to attend this school with or without athletic or significant financial aid?” If the answer is yes, then you may continue. If not, it may be in your best interest to either advocate for increased financial assistance or move on to another school. It is important to remember, even though a student-athlete arrives on campus with a scholarship offer, it does not guarantee that they will make it through their 4-5 years with that scholarship. With risks of being significantly injured, or even out-competed by another player, you want to make sure that should the worst arise; you are prepared!
Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]
* Originally published on March 25, 2022, by Gema Fernandez
