College Information

The NCAA is the resource for understanding the college application process for wanting to be a student athlete. The following links will help you with understanding the process and putting on the path towards soccer in college.


Helpful Tips

  • Pick your college based on education, location, and cost.
    • The program is also an important factor, does the team/coach fit your needs as a player, but be mindful it can change at any time based on coach employment.
  • Research the school, and attend their player ID camps, or a camp that will host multiple coaches.
  • You can reach out to coaches from as early as your freshman year, but coaches cannot communicate with you until the older ages. Use this time to introduce yourself, provide a resume, and show an interest in the program.
    • Avoid generic or bcc emails, show the coaches your maturity and independence in your communication.
  • Start to create video clips from games, and even show your dedication through the individual practice you put yourself through away from sessions.
    • Look to highlight your use of space and time, and moments of decision making which anticipated an action on the field. Your coach will be happy to help you with areas to identify within a video.

While playing sports is a big factor in the college process we can’t stress enough for individuals to consider the following when picking their college.

  1. Location – you will be there for 4 years if not more. That’s a long time if it’s not the environment you thrive in. If your an ocean lover then a landlocked city may not be the best place for you.
  2. Cost – consider the financial commitment you are making, don’t rely on scholarships, make sure it is something you can commit to and complete.
  3. Education – Ultimately college is where you focus on your chosen profession and start to gain needed knowledge and education to be successful in the work place. Does the college match your academic ambitions.

Timeline

Freshman (9th Grade)

Coaches cannot call, email, or text you until September 1 following your sophomore year (10th grade).  They can only send you a general questionnaire as well as camp information.

  • Review and understand academic requirements for eligibility. NCAA Core Courses
  • Meet with high school counselor to ensure you are taking the proper classes for NCAA requirements.
  • Create a four year academic plan.
  • Keep a record of athletic and academic achievements.
  • Begin to visit college campuses of different types (unofficial visits are permitted at any time).
  • Consider and/or attend College ID or summer camp.
  • After freshman year, create a broad list of colleges you are interested. Think about personal and family priorities (location, finances, desired major, division, size, etc.).

Sophomore (10th Grade)

Coaches cannot call, email, or text you until September 1 following your sophomore year (10th grade).  They can only send you a general questionnaire as well as camp information.

  • Continue to take challenging classes that meet NCAA eligibility requirements.
  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Take the PSAT.
  • Update athletic and academic achievements.
  • Attend college fairs.
  • Review list of schools (add or delete from your original list).
  • Attend college summer camp.
  • Email and contact college coaches from them the list of schools you have. Be sure to give them pertinent information; graduation year, soccer (tournament) schedule, GPA, PSAT score, contact information (Remember, coaches cannot respond to this email until September 1 of your junior year).
  • Continue to visit college campuses (set up unofficial visits).

Junior (11th Grade)

Coaches can call, email, or text you beginning September 1 of your junior year (11th grade)

  • Continue to take challenging classes that meet NCAA eligibility requirements.
  • Have your high school submit official high school transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of junior year.
  • Register for the SAT and ACT, and submit scores to NCAA Eligibility Center.
  • Attend college fairs.
  • Develop financial plan for college (private scholarships, need-based scholarships, academic merit, private money, etc).
  • Continue to contact college coaches with player profile information and schedule.
  • Narrow list of colleges you are interested in.
  • Attend college soccer summer camp.
  • Continue to visit college campuses (set up unofficial visits).

Senior (12th Grade)

Continue to take challenging classes that meet NCAA eligibility requirements

  • Retake the SAT and ACT if necessary (some colleges will super score the SAT).
  • Set up official visits (you may take up to 5).
  • Complete college applications and submit official transcripts and test scores to colleges.
  • Complete FAFSA.
  • Request “Final Amateurism Certification” on the NCAA Eligibility Center.
  • Send final official transcripts and proof of graduation to the NCAA Eligibility Center.

To support your search for a college, and to get assistance with the process and regulations of recruitment, there is an excellent resource through NCSA, which provides support for the athlete – https://www.ncsasports.org/