While the college search and application processes look different for everyone, recruited athletes face a different set of hurdles in the initial college search process. Their goals necessitate a slightly different approach and timeline than non-athletes, particularly in 11th grade. Once you’ve moved through 9th and 10th grade, read below for suggestions to make the most of your 11th grade year!
1. Create your personal account with the NCAA.
We always recommend starting with a free NCAA Profile Account, which is all you need to be recruited at the Division 3 level. If you are contacted by a Division 1 or Division 2 school that would like to formally recruit you, the free account can be switched to a paid Amateurism & Certification Account.
2. Double check your coursework.
For Division 1 and Division 2 institutions, the NCAA has strict academic coursework requirements that must be completed by the end of your sixth semester of high school. This includes a minimum number of “core course” credits and a minimum GPA. Confirm with school officials or the NCAA’s list of approved courses for your school to ensure that you are on track to hit these minimums.
3. Confidently build your test plan.
Ideally, you’ve figured out whether you’ll be focusing on the ACT® or SAT at this point, so schedule your first testing date if you haven’t already. While the NCAA no longer requires standardized testing as part of your academic eligibility, some colleges may require testing for your application, and many coaches like to see a test score early in the recruiting process. If you find yourself needing help studying or strategizing for standardized testing, Marks Education offers personalized standardized test prep packages with expert tutors who have helped students just like you achieve their dream scores and attend their top choice college.
4. Gather necessary materials.
It’s best to have unofficial transcripts, a School Profile from your high school, and a strong highlight video or list of times (depending on your sport) at the ready. A resume is a great idea as well! These are things that coaches will ask for early in the process, so it’s best to be prepared.
5. Make your interest known.
Recruiting timelines vary wildly by sport, but it’s best to be proactive! Nearly all schools, regardless of NCAA division, have recruiting questionnaires available on their athletic websites. Choose several schools that interest you based on the overlap of their academic, social, and athletic environments and fill out these questionnaires to get yourself on the radar of a specific coaching staff. If you’re interested in a particular school, check out other schools in that conference as well!
6. Familiarize yourself with NCAA policies.
Though they differ by sport, it’s helpful to understand a little bit about recruiting policies, including NCAA dead periods and quiet periods where types of recruiting, such as home and school visits, are not permitted. This can help you manage expectations and create a personal recruiting timeline. Remember that, while receiving an offer is exciting and should be celebrated, verbal offers and commitments are not binding on either side. While it’s best practice to think of your commitment as binding and not jump on the first verbal offer you receive just for the sake of committing, know that either the athlete or the school can withdraw any verbal offer or commitment at any time, for any reason; this is true even if a coach has seen your transcript or has been recruiting you for an extended period of time.
7. Consider asking for a pre-read.
Many schools offer academic and/or financial pre-reads, especially for recruited athletes. If you know that you might be an applicant “on the bubble” for admission to a school or that financial aid is going to be an important part of your application process, ask your recruiting coach if the school offers pre-reads. This is typically done once you’ve narrowed your list to a very small number of schools or have verbally committed to one institution. For an academic pre-read, you’ll likely need to provide application information such as a transcript, list of planned 12th grade courses, and perhaps an activities list or resume. For a financial pre-read, you’ll need your parents’ tax information. The spring or summer before 12th grade is a great time to ask for any necessary pre-reads!
8. Work with your high school.
You will need the support of your high school officials in sending and uploading transcripts, helping to host coaches on campus, and sticking to your school’s policies on excused absences for recruiting trips. Communicate early and often throughout this process with important adults at your high school to make sure everything moves along smoothly.
Conclusion
Students sometimes say that getting recruited to play college sports is like having a part-time job. You need to be professional in your communication with coaches, even over text message and on social media. You should work to respond in a timely manner to all outreach, while balancing the recruiting process with your schoolwork and athletic competitions. To a point, you should be gracious and open, not closing too many doors to quickly. Competing in college – at any NCAA level – is like a part-time job as well, so consider this an excellent opportunity for on-the-job training!
Ready to start applying as a student athlete? Marks Education has a wide array of college advising and essay packages designed to help you stand out to admissions officers. Don’t miss your chance to check out what to expect in a college counseling session and enroll today!
