College Athletic Recruiting

High-performing student-athletes choose to apply to certain colleges because they believe their athletic talent might be desired by those programs. The question becomes: “How do I find the best fit of college and athletic program AND maximize the potential for a coach to recruit me?” Because every student has a different recruiting story, one that each is quite happy to share, the process sounds confusing.

In truth, the process is not always straightforward, but there does exist a general method to the madness, and this document will serve to address this general method. However, there are nuances to every individual situation, and the college counseling office and the athletic office at Potomac collaborate with each individual student as he or she goes through the recruiting process. Such nuances vary depending on sport, academic record, and level of play.

TIMETABLE BY GRADE LEVEL

Most students who are recruited to play at the college level have had exposure throughout high-school on out-of-school teams. In some sports (track and field, squash, tennis, golf, swimming) regional and national rankings drive recruiting. Those who play other sports exclusively at Potomac generally send video footage of their play to selected colleges based on the collective advice of their coach and college counselor.

Grades 9-10

Those who have achieved a high level of play early in high school may start getting letters of interest by various coaches in their freshman or sophomore years. Students should respond to these letters and stay on mailing lists if they are remotely interested in the programs for which they have received a letter of interest—thousands of which are sent out annually. Because students’ academic records are still forming, and because PSAT scores from 10th grade are likely to shoot up, “counseling” students with regard to academic fit is impossible. Therefore, while you may hear of a student or two who will have “decided” by their 10th grade that they are going to university X or Y, they will have made this decision without the benefit of learning about the best overall environment for him or her. You need to find a college at which you will be fully satisfied if athletics were not a part of the mix. In other words, if you are injured or if the coach that you love is replaced, you need to still love being at your college. Elite athletes may find themselves pressured into a verbal commitment. It is up to them to make this commitment, or to take their chances at other colleges further down the road.

Grade 11

Both the athletic recruiting process as well as the college search process get into a higher gear in the second semester. Aspiring athletes divide into two groups: GROUP A = students who are chasing coaches, and GROUP B = students who are being chased by coaches. Students in GROUP B may find that they are getting requests for athletic resumes (see Appendix I) and transcripts (sent at your request by the college counseling office); those in GROUP A need to create athletic resumes and initiate contact with coaches at the colleges that are of interest. The college counseling office will suggest academic matches for each student after his or her first meeting before spring break. Over spring break, visit a few colleges, and try to meet with the coach if at all possible. Students wanting to play Division 1 athletics need to register with the NCAA by the end of their junior year. (See Appendix II) Again, elite athletes may already find themselves committing verbally to Division I coaches before the end of junior year, but this more the exception than the rule.

STANDARDIZED TESTING

Most students will take the SAT or ACT close to the March date during junior year. Some students (including athletes), however, will take it in January because some coaches like to see scores as soon as possible. The down side of taking the test this early is that a student may still have math and vocabulary to cover in class that will help boost scores. Indeed, students can always take a prep course AFTER taking their initial standardized test. Only the highest scores are taken into account, even if a student takes the test two or three times.

Grade 12:

At the start of July prior to senior year, Division 1 coaches can contact students once a week. Students can contact coaches whenever they want to. Division 1 protocols are generally clear; students are invited for official visits and are made offers to which they need to commit. Division I AA colleges (e.g. Patriot League, Ivy League) have academic indices that are well-above NCAA certification. Therefore, they will need to take transcripts and test-scores to the admission office for approval.

Division III coaches have no such restrictions and recruiting in the fall of senior year can become complicated. Decisions made by students (and coaches) have been known to form and then change very rapidly. Counseling a student becomes more nuanced as coaches “suggest” that applying early decision will help his or her chances of admission. They are not allowed to pressure students to apply early, but the reality is that someone else who is being recruited WILL apply early. Therefore, de facto, students (particularly those applying to small, Division III colleges) should think hard about committing an early application to that college IF IF IF and ONLY IF the coach has run a student’s transcript and scores through the admission office, from which they need to receive approval. Any other promise from a coach needs to be treated with great caution. Even if approval is granted from the admission office and a student applies early, colleges will call in November to be sure that a student has maintained his or her academic progress through the fall before granting formal admission.

DIVISION I, II, III

Students from Potomac find academic matches at colleges which play athletics in Division I or III leagues more than they do those in Division II. Division I and II colleges have scholarships to give away; Division III do not. However, Division III colleges will certainly have slots for athletes and need-based financial aid for those who qualify.

Division I athletics is definitely a lifestyle choice; athletic practices and games will dominate much of a student’s time at college.

Some Division III programs can be as competitive as Division I programs, so don’t be fooled. However, in general, students can have a broader existence at college more easily at a Division III college. They can often also entertain the possibility of being a two or possibly three-season athlete.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Stay organized, set your priorities, be flexible, and communicate often with your coach and your college counselor. The college counseling office will, in November of your junior year, give you a lot of information that you should read. (See the college counseling website for information as well). Remember that for most athletes—particularly for Division IAA and III, GRADES, DIFFICULTY OF COURSES, and TEST SCORES remain critically important for admission.

Please click here to download A Brief Guide for the Potential College Athlete

The document includes: