College Recruiting Process

PRESENTER: CHAKA DALEY,  University of Michigan, Head Coach, Men’s Soccer

A)       Schools of Interest

  • Create list
  • DI, DII, DIII, NAIA
  • Research
  • Visit
  • Realistic
  • Feedback/Recommendations/Contacts/Word of Mouth etc.

B)       Create Informational Packet/SPORT SPECIFIC RESUME

  • Accuracy
  • Professionalism
  • Include Academic, Athletic highlights and References
  • Appearances—where can the coach see you play? What environment?

C)       How to recruit your potential institution!

            4 MAJOR FACTORS ARE:    ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, FINANCIAL, ATHLETIC   

 1) ACADEMIC

  • *MUST BE FIRST CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING A SCHOOL*
  • CGPA, quality of classes–SAT/ACT (SAT optional?)
  • Recommendations/Contacts
  • ADMISSIONS–Early Action/Early Decision/Regular Decision
  • Research—school profile (average student accepted is?)
  • Majors offered
  • Career Services (Alumni)

2) ATHLETIC- How we (Coaches) Recruit?

  • Are you being recruited? VS. Recruiting a school?
  1. Send Resume (E-mail & hard copy)
  2. Must see the TEAM PLAY!
  3. IF YOU ARE NOT SEEN IN THE RECRUITING PROCESS? (Dream School) WALK-ON OPPORTUNITIES?
  • Every Coach/Every School varies because of:
  1. Financial Resources (scholarships and/or financial aid)
  2. Academic Standards
  3. Admissions Support
  4. Team Needs—Tier of RECRUITS
  5. Roster Limitations

3) SOCIAL

  • Unofficial visit vs. Official visit(5); DI, DII, DIII
  • BE INQUISITIVE—Ask questions??? (Players, Coaches, Professors, Student body, Career Services etc.)
  • Points of Consideration include: Athletic facilities, Conference, Size, Location, Distance from home, Climate, Football school, girl to guy ratio etc.
  • *OPPORTUNITY*

 4) FINANCIAL

  • Aid vs. Need
  • Grants vs. Loans (opportunity)
  • Need vs. Merit
  • Academic Scholarships—requirements?
  • Additional Scholarships—research?
  • Tuition Exchange
  • Early Action/Early Decision/Regular Decision
  • PROFILE and/or FAFSA—DETERMINES YOUR FAMILY CONTRIBUTION
  • ATHLETIC Scholarships
  •             -scholarship opportunities/packages vary dramatically at all schools
  •             -counter and equivalency (example 9.9 Men’s Soccer)
  •             –Example of a ½ grant and ½ athletic
  •             -scholarships are year-to-year with a recommendation by coach
  •             *poor academic performance and/or disciplinary issues
  •             *ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE CAN NOT!
  •             Potential Player Cannot be shy with regards to asking questions regarding financial aid—HOW?

D)       TIMELINES:  Increasingly difficult on Coach and potential student-athlete

YOU MUST BEGIN TO PREPARE EARLY!!

MY ADVICE/OPINION:

  • Sophomore Year (1st Semester Aug-Dec) –  list of schools and begin to research.
  • Sophomore Year (2nd Semester Jan-Jun) – Begin to prepare 1 page informational on you and narrow your search.
  • Summer before Junior Year – Continue to develop resume & narrow search -where are you playing?
  • Junior Year (before high school season or Thanksgiving) – Resume with future schedules included (high school or club) E-mail accessible & hard copy
  • Junior Year (before Christmas) – tournament appearance(s) & updates to resume
  • Junior Year (2nd Semester Jan-Jun) – continue to narrow list based on feedback and generate feedback
  •                        – Unofficial Visit(s) to those that interest you and/or interested in you!
  •                        – Mail transcripts & SAT scores with senior courses included (if available)
  • REGISTER FOR THE ELIGIBILITY CENTER!
  • Summer before Senior Year
  •             -Unofficial Visit(s)
  •             -Camp(s)!
  •             -July 1st Recruiting Calls
  • Senior Year (1st Semester Aug-Dec) – continue unofficial visits IF not taken
  •              – official visits (5); DI obsolete?, DII (trial at end of your season), DIII (vist at any time in college career)
  •              – Visit CAMPUS in action (regular school day—attend class & game day—observe coaching style, caliber of players, your position)
  •             –APPLICATION PROCESS/DEADLINES
  •             –DECISION!!!
  • Senior Year (2nd Semester Jan-Jun)
  •             –APPLY ON TIME
  •             –FILL OUT FAFSA & PROFILE (pay attention to deadlines)
  •             –NLI (February) or ACCEPTANCE LETTER
  •             –MUST CONTINUE TO PERFORM ACADEMICALLY

Prospective Student-Athlete (PSA) MUST take ownership of this process!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!

Resource:

College Graduation Rates for both public and private schools based on State

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