Athletic Recruitment in College Admissions
The college admissions process is already a daunting task for most students, and when coupled with the attempt to become a recruited athlete, it can be a completely different ball game.
Firstly, it is important to note that you are not "recruited" until you receive an official offer. Athletic recruiters have a large pool of candidates to consider, and they often send interest letters, which are like brochures sent by colleges to prospective students. Therefore, if you receive a letter or social media follow from a recruiter, don’t get too excited as it does not guarantee that you will be recruited, but it could be a start.
It is crucial to actively campaign for a recruiter’s attention as recruiters have thousands of candidates to consider. It is advisable to talk to your high school coach to identify schools where you would be a good fit for the team. Once you have one or more specific schools in mind, reach out to the recruiters. Send a resume of your athletic accomplishments along with a highlight video of your playing. Familiarize yourself with the NCAA rules and timelines and register with the NCAA clearinghouse to ensure you are eligible to play. Importantly, know when and how college coaches are allowed to communicate with you.
Finding a good fit is everything. As with any college search, it is crucial to ensure that you are a good fit for the team/school and that the team/school is a good fit for you. While a school might have an amazing team where several players are recruited for professional sports or they win several games each season, if the team is not a good fit for you, you will never be able to showcase your skills or talent. Therefore, it is advisable to visit various schools that have a good team and determine which one is the best fit for you.
It is important to note that even if you are an athlete, grades still matter. Many schools, especially top schools, have a GPA requirement and minimum ACT/SAT scores. Coaches only have so much power if the admissions offices do not want you. Therefore, it is crucial to study just as hard as you play so that you have the grades/scores to impress colleges without the athletic ability. This will significantly increase your chances of admission.
Furthermore, it is important to complete your regular college applications, even if you are confident that you will be recruited. Coaches can change their minds at any time before an offer is made, or their offers to you are subject to the final say by the college admissions office. Perhaps your grades begin to slip, or they find a better athlete at the last minute. If you do not have a backup plan, which involves having your college applications ready to send out, then you will be stuck without a school, possibly delaying your plans for another year.
Lastly, an athletic scholarship does not necessarily mean free education. While free rides do exist theoretically, many athletic scholarships do not cover the full cost of college. The amount of the scholarship correlates with what Division the school is. For example, Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships at all and instead may offer academic scholarships based on merit. Therefore, it is advisable to have a financial backup plan ready in case you are not offered a full ride, and make sure you have your financial aid materials ready when you apply to a school.
In conclusion, the recruitment process for student-athletes is a challenging and rigorous process. It is important to keep in mind that being recruited is not guaranteed and that you need to actively campaign.
