COLLEGE CHECK LIST
9th Grade
• Start an academic path that will satisfy NCAA rules and challenge you.
• Get to know and meet with Guidance Counselor to discuss long term goals.
• Participate in community service and other interests outside of school activities.
• Do some research on schools you may be interested in, perhaps a visit to the campus.
10th Grade
• Continue 9th grade points of emphasis.
• Check for PSAT registration.
• Identify 5-10+ colleges- build/send cover letter and resume to college coaches.
• Contact colleges- admissions/financial aid offices to get on their mailing lists.
• Keep in touch with coaches via email with occasional updates on personal, academic, and soccer. (Especially your club games and events + high school soccer highlights)
• Visit interested schools, watch college games, see facilities, make sure college coach knows you are in area before you stop by.
11th Grade
• Register with NCAA Clearing House. www.ncaa.org
• Check on SAT registration – take up to three times and have it sent to colleges.
• Continue to write to college coaches updating them on where you will be playing and your highlights.
• Research colleges extensively and attend summer camps of your top choices.
• Take AP courses if possible and evaluate your Senior year classes, take the best and most challenging options available.
• Make unofficial visits to colleges or attend “Junior Day” events, meet with coaches, take the campus tour and seek admission and financial aid information.
12th Grade
• Complete Applications, ideally in the fall, allowing for plenty of time to edit and perfect. Finalize essays and recommendations for applications.
• Research colleges extensively on web sites and guide books.
• Take SAT again if needed.
• Arrange college visits with the college coaches during the fall preferably (official visit vs. unofficial visit).
• Narrow your choices to top 3-5.
• Go the distance with your classes especially in fall semester.
• Send final official transcript to clearing house after graduation.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING AT THE SOCCER PROGRAM AND YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT – ATHLETE
1. Write to the coach and request general information on the university, and specific information on the soccer program.
2. Visit the universities, unofficially and officially per NCAA rules. You are allowed any number of unofficial visits but only five official paid visits.
3. Watch prospective university teams play to determine the level and style of play.
4. Arrange to talk to the coach, current and former players, general student body, and to any faculty or administrators.
5. Does the program have a tryout or must you be recruited to play on the team?
6. How many seniors will be graduating from the university’s team versus how many high school seniors the coach is recruiting? Also, how do you compare with the other players competing for your position?
7. How many players does the team carry? How many players play and how many red-shirt?
8. Financial support for the soccer program from the university, (i.e. budgets for travel, equipment, scholarships).
9. Student body support of the soccer program.
10. Find out what type of off-season and spring-season requirements the coach has for the team. Does this fit your lifestyle?
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
1. For those of you that have already determined an undergraduate major, make sure the universities and/or colleges in which you have interest offer that major, however, it is very normal to be undeclared and not to have chosen a major or area of study upon entering university.
2. Look into the admissions requirements and / or standards. Find out what GPA, SAT and / or ACT scores you will need to have in order to be competitive in the admission’s process for the universities and / or colleges in which you are interested.
3. Size and location of the university and / or college. The faculty to student ratio. Quarter vs. Semester system. Public vs. Private.
4. The availability of academic assistance for the student athletes. The graduation rate for the athletic department, and specifically the soccer team. 5. Choose the appropriate competitive level (Division 1, 2, 3, NAIA, or Junior College) for your ability.
6. Find out what athletic / academic scholarships and / or financial aid assistance is available. Apply for financial aid /scholarships as soon as possible.
7. Will you be happy at the university if for some reason things don’t work out for you in the soccer program?
8. Many students end up living and working near the area where they went to college.
9. Apply to the NCAA clearinghouse to gain initial eligibility. Send official transcripts and test scores to the NCAA and the schools that you are interested in.
