| Many athletes have the desire to play sports in | | | | As a Sophomore, you need to continue the |
| college, but don't know where to begin or what to | | | | programs you began as a freshman and keep |
| do. Simply stated, recruiting is a four year | | | | working to improve - athletically and academically. |
| process. Preparation and education are every bit | | | | Start preparing for the college admissions tests - |
| as important in marketing, and those who wait | | | | whether taking the practice tests or enrolling in a |
| until their senior year find themselves behind the | | | | Board Prep course. Begin the process of |
| curve. | | | | communicating with college coaches to let them |
| So what should you do each year in the process? | | | | know of your interest in their school and your |
| Many tasks should begin in your freshman year, | | | | personal accomplishments. Of course, a |
| and these tasks should be revisited each year. | | | | comprehensive resume is a must. Begin scheduling |
| In your Freshman year, you need to learn what | | | | unofficial visits to those schools in which you have |
| the eligibility requirements are for NCAA, NAIA, | | | | the greatest interest. |
| and NJCAA competition. The NCAA requires that | | | | As a Junior, you should be in regular |
| you take and complete a specified number of | | | | communication with your top schools. Continue |
| core courses, which vary from school to school. | | | | the process of academic and athletic evaluation |
| Thus it is important to talk to your school | | | | and improvement. Take the college boards as |
| guidance counselor to learn what courses at your | | | | many times as you can. Register with the NCAA |
| school are NCAA Approved Core Courses, and | | | | Clearinghouse. Identify those schools that offer |
| make sure you fulfill the requirements. You should | | | | the academic majors of interest to you, and |
| also begin to decide what YOUR priorities are in | | | | begin the process of financial analysis. Get the |
| selecting a school and begin the process of | | | | federal FAFSA forms and work the worksheets |
| researching schools to determine what schools | | | | with your parents. Get admission applications from |
| can meet those priorities - academically, | | | | schools and familiarize yourself with them. Seek |
| athletically, socially, and financially. You then need | | | | the best opportunities to be seen by college |
| to learn the academic and athletic standards that | | | | coaches. |
| those schools require, and set specific goals for | | | | By your Senior year, you should be well into the |
| yourself to begin the process of meeting those | | | | process. You should know those schools that are |
| standards. Talk to your coaches, teachers, and | | | | the best fit for you and you should be talking to |
| counselors to help you to identify your strengths | | | | the coaches to determine their interest level. |
| and weaknesses and work to improve yourself | | | | Prepare for those conversations by determining |
| academically and athletically. Understand that solid | | | | the questions you need answered to make an |
| academic performance begins in your freshman | | | | informed decision, and ask the coach those |
| year and lead to many more options in choosing a | | | | questions. Continue to take the college boards and |
| college. Look for a club or travel team that can | | | | to improve academically and athletically. |
| help you to improve and to be seen. | | | | |