Recruiting - What To Ask - College Links
There are many college playing opportunities for high school graduates. There are many schools with soccer programs. The colleges and universities vary widely in size, location, and academic offering, and the soccer programs sponsored range from moderately to very competitive.
Steps in the process include these points
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Preparing academically
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Preparing athletically
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Completing administrative preparations
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Identifying realistic college options
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Generating contacts among these options
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Following up on contacts
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Making a selection and committing
For players of equal academic and athletic ability, those who have the opportunity to create more contacts, and those who are more diligent about communicating effectively, do better in finding good opportunities to attend school and play soccer.
Communicating with the Coach
Good communications are essential. Complete forms carefully and return them promptly. Follow up by mail and phone. Return phone calls immediately, and remember that the NCAA coach can not usually call more than once a week. If you have a message, call back and keep calling until you get through.
If you fail to return phone calls promptly or to return paperwork or get your paperwork into the NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse, the coach will have to move on to other players, giving your playing opportunity and financial aid to another player who was prompt about returning paperwork and phone calls.
When the coach calls, the coach wants to present the school and soccer program, to learn more about you, the player, and to arrange to move you further along the recruiting pipeline, possibly to a home visit or to an official visit to the school. If you are not interested, save everyone time and be honest about it. However, if you are interested, there's a lot you need to find out about the school and program so that you'll be able to make a good decision. See What to Ask.
For access to team web sites for many NCAA and NAIA schools, see the team links on the College page.
Recruiting - What To Ask - College Links