Athlete's Checklist/Timeline

Junior Year

Research

Start thinking about what is important to you in your college choice.

Narrow your list of colleges of interest to approximately 10.

Make sure you have a good mix of colleges on your list.

Include at least two that will be “sure things”. (Confident of being accepted.)

Research schools program, coaching staff, academic strengths, culture and location.

Research financial aid opportunities generally, and at each school on your list. (Particularly important if you don't believe that you will be able to secure a full scholarship.)

Contacts

Prepare a highlight video and profile of yourself and send it out to your schools of interest.

Try to develop a steady dialog with Coaching Staff.

Take unofficial trips to the colleges on your narrowed list.

Take a tour of the campus.

Set up meetings with the coaches.

Talk with athletes if you can.

Ask a lot of questions.

Send thank you note to coach.

Academics

Take a SAT or ACT class, if necessary.

Start meeting regularly with high school counselor.

Continue to maintain a strong GPA.

Make sure you are continuing to meet all NCAA core courses.

Take the SAT and ACT, and the SAT 2 if required for your selected colleges.

Take these test early and often.

Possibly determine whether you have a specific interest in an area of study in college.

Evaluate potential colleges based upon whether they offer this area of study.

Closely review the requirements for the schools on your list.

Which require which test?

Are essays needed with the application?

Obtain the applications and requirements of the schools on your list.

NCAA Rules

Familiarize yourself with the Rules and follow them.

September 1 – you can receive recruiting materials from Division 1 and 2 schools.

Division 1 and 2 coaches will still not talk with you if you do not initiate the call.

Parents cannot talk with coaches at competitions, or any time off campus, no matter who made the contact.

Coaches can E-mail you, as this has been ruled printed material.

You can continue to make unofficial visits to colleges, at your expense.

Coaches can talk with you at length during these visits to the campus.

You can be given a tour of the campus, watch practice and attend meetings.

Verbal commitments can be made on both sides.

Sport

Play year round with your club.

Maintain a strong practice schedule and work ethic.

Continue to work toward achieving the goals – revisit those goals and adjust if needed.

Continue talking with your coach about how best to achieve your goals.

Share your narrowed list of prospective schools with your high school coach.