College Planning and the High School Athlete
It is not unusual for student-athletes who have participated in a sport in high school to want to continue this sport in college. Some students may want to play at a Division I school. Others may prefer Division II or III or even a club sport. Many student-athletes, however, have no idea how to begin their college search. They need to make sure that the schools they choose are the right ones for them. The schools should offer the right combination of athletics, academics, and social experiences. Often coaches lead students to colleges where they can participate athletically. Too often, the schools are not a good fit for the student in other areas.
Susie Watts, an educational consultant in Denver, has worked with student-athletes for more than twenty years. She has had great success helping them with their college search, applications, essays, and contacting coaches. Some of these students were ready to settle for less until they came to College Direction and began working with Susie. Many received athletic grants and went on to successful college experiences.
Students must ask coaches the right questions to determine if a school is right for them athletically. They also must consider the possibility of injury or burnout and whether they would still want to attend this particular school. It is never a good idea to choose a college because of a coach because coaches are known to change schools regularly. Susie Watts provides planning for college so that your experience is what you want and expect it to be.
Educational Consultants Help High School Athletes with College Search and Scholarships
Most high school athletes do not have the right people helping them with their college search or the college planning process. The “blue chip” athlete is usually bombarded with all kinds of information and pressure from schools long before the student is even thinking about college. Other high school athletes may need to do a little more to gain the attention of potential interested colleges. Most student athletes work with a coach, parent, or athletic service that often wants to see the athlete get in “somewhere” where they can participate in their sport and hopefully receive an athletic grant.
It is possible to help high school athletes find schools where they can not only pursue their athletics, but have their academic and social needs met as well. Many families with student athletes are meeting with educational consultants who guide them through the college search, application process, and athletic recruitment. In the end, they are very pleased with their college choices, especially since most had expected to only have schools that were athletic options without the academic quality.
Few high school athletes will be going on to play their sport professionally so it is important that they have the education that will enable them to be successful without their athletics. They need to be prepared to talk with coaches about what the expectations are and ask the right questions to determine whether a program is right for them or not. They need assistance with their college search and choosing schools that are the right fit for them.
High school athletes need all of the information that other students require and more. They should be advised by someone who can be objective and provide them with answers to their questions. They need to be realistic about their athletic abilities and which schools would provide the best fit. Only then will they have the information they need to make the best college decisions, both athletically and academically.
High school athletes and their families should consider turning to an educational consultant who has experience in this area. A good source for finding a qualified individual is www.hecaonline.org. Here you will find a list of educational consultants in your state who have the expertise and experience to assist your high school athlete.
High school athletes need to consider injuries or other reasons why they might not continue playing their sport in college. For this reason, it is especially important for the college decision to be a good match. If athletics are no longer an option, the student athlete should feel that their school is still a good fit and want to continue there as a student.
The right educational consultant can guide high school athletes through the college search and admissions process, bring them to the attention of interested coaches, and assist them with securing athletic scholarships and financial aid.
Working the “Grey Areas” in the College
Search for High School Athletes
The college search for athletes is a very “individual” quest. A winning strategy for one prospect could be a losing strategy for another. I think we can all agree that when it comes to recruiting, the “blue chip” kids are going to be found…It’s just a matter of when.
That being said, the majority of the prospects looking for a home on a college campus and as part of a varsity team are NOT the blue chip kids. Firstly, this needs to be understood and realized. Secondly, these prospects need to develop and execute a separate plan of attack and begin to tackle what I call the “grey areas” of recruiting.
When I speak of grey areas, I am alluding to alternative tactics that could strongly assist families and their children reach a little higher and with a better chance of success in the college search.
Self Realization
A great way to start the process is to do an objective evaluation as a prospective student-athlete. Based on your current core courses, GPA and standardized testing, take the time to realistically define yourself “in the moment” from an academic standpoint
Use the same exercise and do a critical athletics evaluation. Are you that star on the horizon? That hard working, dedicated athlete who contributes on occasion to the team? Or are you somewhere in between?
Target your schools
Based on this evaluation, it’s time to develop your “rough list” of potential college institutions that match. I suggest sitting down with your guidance counselor, who most likely has access to the Naviance network that allows you to plug specific information (potential major, geographic location, size of undergraduate population, sport information) into the system. In a matter of seconds, up comes a listing of schools that potentially meets your criteria.
Next, begin to develop a listing of college websites (list both the academic and athletic websites) in an effort to “take a look under the hood” and explore a variety of colleges and universities that potentially match.
Gather Specific Information
OK. You have poked around on a number of college websites and have gotten a “feel” for each institution. Now it’s time to divide and conquer! I suggest creating two lists for the schools that have peaked your interest (A file) and for the schools that are still “in the running” (B file) and develop a specific contact list (Coach’s name, e-mail, phone number) for each school.
Communicate
If there is one area of college recruiting that, in my mind, stands above the rest in importance, its effective communication with college coaches. This is a critical “grey area” component that you need to practice and develop over time. Whether it is initiating phone contact with the recruiting coordinator, grammar checks on written or electronic correspondence, or face to face meetings, the prospect that makes a sincere commitment to be at the top of his game will have a better chance in remaining on Coach’s radar.
Organize
A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit and the attainment of important goals. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize information regarding this process and execute well-designed plans.
Develop timelines that will target general events in the beginning of the college search (making unofficial visits, maintaining your data base, and attending tournaments) and continue to move forward with more specific events (compiling a video and player profile, communicating with coaches, and making official visits, etc.) as your search progresses. This will increase the chances of “hitting targets” throughout the process.
Persist!
The one common thread that helps weave my college quest plans for the families I work with is the necessity to embrace persistence as a critical tool in the recruiting arsenal from start to finish. Some believe a persistent approach in college recruiting will be viewed by college coaches as a “pushy” attempt to get on the radar and it could come across this way if your approach is not well planned and carefully executed.
The rule of thumb here is simple: Coaches want to hear from prospects and considering the tight latitude they have in communicating with our kids, coaches’ welcome and encourage them to drop an e-mail or pick up the phone and call. That said, it is equally important for prospects to have a realistic view of their potential athletic contribution to a particular program.
You have the drive and the desire to take your athletic talent to the next level. You are confident and dedicated to participate as part of a college program and making your athletic pursuit an important compliment to your overall college experience. You are half way there!
Remember, your college search is a personal quest, where maintaining “momentum” will make the difference between a fair and great college recruiting experience. Don’t be afraid to work the “grey areas” of the recruiting process and leave nothing to chance. Make the commitment to treat the college search as you would treat your goal to experience a championship season and you will give yourself the best chance in grabbing the brass ring.
Author
Tom Kovic
