When you enter into high school, there is an excitement knowing that after high school is college, the experience of a lifetime. Getting through high school and preparing for college can be difficult, but is well worth it, especially planning for the next 4-5 years at a place you love. An important thing is to find the right college for you. Everyone is different in many ways and everyone connects differently with colleges. You need to determine if you want to play soccer in college and understand the differences in the soccer programs. You can fulfill that dream, just do your research and put in the effort it takes to find the right college for you. This guide is here to help you do just that.
Today, colleges and coaches are looking for students with more than athletic abilities. Competition is high, so it is important to present yourself as a well-rounded student athlete.
To get into the college of your choice you must:
1. Prepare academically
2. Show your soccer ability
3. Complete all administrative paperwork on time
4. Develop contacts among potential coaches
5. Choose the right college for you: Make sure you choose a college that gives you the experience you want, a place where you are happy.
STEPS TO TAKE: THROUGOUT HIGH SCHOOL TO PREPARE FOR COLLEGE
1. Academically
*It is important to get good grades! Your grades and test scores can make the difference. Maintain your highest grades throughout high school so that you can have more college options. It also prepares you for college life.
*If you were interested in top academic schools, it would help to take honors courses, if you can manage them. Talk to your high school counselor, ask about them and follow their advice. Also, talk to your counselor about which courses you need to take to fulfill your requirements of the NCAA. Plan your classes depending on the NCAA requirements for all colleges (division I, II, III).
*Take PSAT, practice ACT and SAT II tests as they become available so you can be ready for the tests in the future. Starting your junior year, start to take SAT (at least twice), ACT and AP tests that are offered throughout the year.
---During your JUNIOR YEAR, start to make a list of the colleges you are interested in. More importantly, while making this list, UNDERSTAND the academic requirements of the schools of your interest. Be realistic and honest in your personal assessment when considering your talent and the college that you may want to attend. You can visit colleges on your own and begin to get applications together. Colleges usually begin to send out recruiting letters September 1---
2. Student-Athletes
*Work hard on the field. Remember, the competition is high, so do your best.
*Fill out your Player Profile Download Here
*Send emails to the head coaches at the colleges you are interested in. (look at our samples) Your email should include a cover/introduction letter, attach your player profile, and attach a list of your upcoming playing schedules (games, tournaments, etc). You should do this as soon as possible. You can also ask the school if they would like for you to send a videotape of you playing, if you have them.
*At the end of your junior year, you must register and be certified by the NCAA INITIAL-ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE. The NCAA Clearinghouse will certify athletic eligibility.
a) Work with your high school counselor because they have forms they must submit as well. The high school must send in a copy of the form and an official copy of your transcripts to the clearinghouse.
b) Your counselor can obtain clearinghouse materials by calling 877-262-1492, OR you can register online at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.n
c) To be registered: student-athletes must complete the student release form (SRF), mail one copy of the form to the clearinghouse along with $50 registration fee (sometimes you can get the few waived), give two other signed copies to your high school counselor, and you should also keep a copy for your own records.
d) After high school graduation, your counselor must send in the other form with an official copy of your final transcripts that confirms graduation.
e) Please call the NCAA Clearinghouse (877) 262-1492 and talk to you counselor to make sure this is all correct and that we haven’t missed anything
*During your senior year, if necessary, retake the SAT’s. Also, maintain good grades as colleges have withdrawn applications due to a decline in academic performance. Submit your applications to the schools you are interested in. If you are accepted, complete all the paperwork.
*If you are offered an athletic scholarship, you will be sent a National Letter of Intent in February. You can visit http://www.national-letter.org to find out more information.
---Be aware that NCAA rules, dates and requirements can change, so please keep up with them; www.ncaa.org can help.
^^^Basic Recruiting Rules^^^
*Players begin in 9th grade: become “prospective student athletes”
*Players are approached by any college showing interest: “recruited prospective student athletes”
*A student athlete is recruited if: a) Take an official visit to that college, b) Getting phone calls from a representative of that college, c) Take an off campus visit by a representative of that college
*A student athlete is eligible to receive “general” university information through the mail at any time. Phone calls from faculty or coaches (not boosters) are not permitted once in March of your junior year and then not agin until July 1 after completion of the junior year of high school are limited to one per week with the following exceptions where calls may be unlimited:
=During the five days prior to the “official” visit to the college
=On the day of a coach’s off campus contact with the student athlete
=On the initial date for signing the National Letter of Intent through the two days after the signing date
=A student-athlete may call a coach as often as they like
*Letters from coaches, faculty members and students are not permitted until September 1 at the beginning of the junior year of high school
*A college coach may “contact” a student athlete in person off campus only after July 1 after completion of the junior year in high school. Any face to face meeting between a college coach and the player or parents of a player, during which any of you say more than “hello” is considered a “contact”. Coaches are permitted no more than three off campus contacts.
*An evaluation is any off campus activity used to assess a student athlete’s academic and/or athletic qualifications. A college coach may not make more than four evaluations during each academic year.
*During a student athlete’s senior year they are eligible to go on “official” visits to a campus if they are invited and notified by mail. Players should make it clear to the coach in question of they want to accept the invitation as a student-athlete is limited to a total of five “official” visits. Some players save those “official” visits for universities where extended travel is necessary. An “official” visit (no more than 48 hours) simply means that the costs are covered by the university. During any time, student athletes may go on “unofficial” campus visits as often as they like. During these “unofficial” visits players may contact the coach and receive any information requested including a campus tour. Nothing may be paid for by the coach or program in question or the visit becomes “official”. Players cannot go on an “official” visit until they give the college their academic transcripts and a score from the SAT taken on a national test date. The transcript may be a photocopy of official high school transcripts and in most cases the college will use the services of the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse to validate credentials.