|
The keys to success
Academics
REMEMBER, MOST OF YOU WILL GO ON TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL IN SOMETHING OTHER THAN SPORTS. FOCUS ON YOUR EDUCATION FIRST.
Grades are key - Believe it or not, the first thing coaches ask for when they are looking for a prospective athlete is GPA. It is really important to keep your grades up if you want a coach to seriously consider you.
Think about what you want to study - Choosing the right college is a difficult proposition. Obviously looking for a school that has a sports program and coach that is a match for you is a priority but you need to spend at least as much time, if not more, researching the academic program related to the field of study you are interested in. If you are not happy there you won't be happy overall.
Don't forget about the social makeup of potential colleges - Take time to visit the college, talk to the admissions office and get a tour, talk to alumni, and do anything you can to get a feel for everyday life on campus. Just like academic programs, if you aren't happy with the social aspects of the college you won't be happy overall.
Financial Plan
Understand FAFSA - Understanding the FAFSA grant program is vitally important. This can make or break whether you can afford to go to a particular college or not. It also has a bearing on how much the coach has to "spend" in scholarship money on you. If he has to spend less on you than another athlete of equal talent you have a big leg up.
Want it? Apply for it - It's like the lottery; if you don't play you can't win.
Know the Jargon - There are a number of acronyms to keep track of, FAFSA, SAR, EFC, and COA to name a few.
- FAFSA - Free application for Federal Student Aid
- SAR - Student Aid Report
- EFC - Expected Family Contribution
- COA - Cost of Attendance
Choose Smart. Match and get more. - Pay attention to how much your target colleges will match. It is very possible that you could end up paying more out of pocket expenses to go to a $12,000 per year state college than you would pay to go to a $30,000 private college.
Manage your EFC - Expected Family Contribution is calculated using a very complicated formula. It is not simply based on how much money your family makes. Be sure you understand what investments and assets will be counted against you at the time you submit your request.
Finish first / start early - Apply and commit before other contestants show up. Technically, awards can not be made until January 1 of your senior year but you can apply before then so that you are at the top of the pile when they start their process. The longer you wait, the less money will be available.
Your Athletic Talent
Join a travel team - The best athletes usually play outside of their High School team on travel teams and sports clubs. This gives you greater exposure to other athletes outside of your geographic league boundaries and shows coaches that you are serious about your sport. Many college coaches look to these organizations for the top talent.
Off season conditioning - Stay active and in shape all year round. That is the only way to condition your body to be the best it can possibly be. However good you think you are, there are other athletes out there that have just as much talent and only the ones who are always pushing themselves make it to the very top.
Pay attention to the roster - Are there a lot of seniors graduating from the team the year you want to join or is the team made up of mostly younger players? The more open slots there are going to be the less the competitive pressure.
Marketing Yourself
Preparation - "Be prepared" is not just a Boy Scout motto, it is what is going to get you chosen.
- Start early
- Gather information about yourself. Game film, stats, references, transcripts, etc.
- Prepare a prospectus letter or athletic resume for college coaches.
- Register with the NCAA clearinghouse. This makes you an eligible prospect.
Know the rules - There are certain time that colleges can and can't look at you.
- Understand when colleges are looking and make yourself visible.
- Know your sports recruiting timetables - MAXIMIZE your exposure.
College Recruiting Timetables
- Coaches have certain times of the year that they can actively recruit players. Generally not when you are playing for your High School team.
- Coaches can only start email contact at the start of your junior year. No phone contact is allowed until after July 1st of the athletes' junior year.
- Understand that until you speak directly with the coach or recruiting coordinator at the college and have a signed letter of intent... Keep your options open!
- Register with the NCAA clearinghouse. This makes you an eligible prospect.
Take control - Be proactive. It is a myth that a college scout is going to come to one of your games, see you play and offer you a scholarship. You need to find out who the coach is and as much about him or her that you can and then contact them. Let them know you are interested and want to meet with them. Be sure you are prepared to talk intelligently about your stats, academics and other important information about yourself.
Make yourself visible - SportsWorx eScout matching system allows coaches to set up a program that searches for athletes based on certain criteria. If your online profile is a match they are notified. This expands your exposure well beyond traditional geographic constraints.
|
