Seeking Athletic Scholarships for College?

As a student athlete, I'm striving to get athletic scholarships for college. What steps do I need to ensure I'm on the right track with recruitment and competition performance?

The journey to earning an athletic scholarship is different for everyone, but here are six general steps athletes typically follow:

1. Identify Your College Preferences: Define what you're looking for in a college. Consider academic programs, school size, location, and culture. Do you want to be part of a big athletic program or would you be better suited to a smaller, Division III school?

2. Develop A Recruiting Profile: This typically includes your high school transcript, athletic stats, and a personal biography. This is your chance to share your accomplishments, both on and off the field.

3. Highlight Film: Prepare a video showcasing your skills. For many sports, a highlight reel is important for college coaches to evaluate an athlete's playing ability.

4. Initiate Contact With Coaches: Don't wait for recruiters to find you. Reach out to the head coach or recruiting coordinator at your schools of interest. Email is a good way to make initial contact. Make sure to be professional and personalize these emails.

5. Visit Colleges: As long as it complies with NCAA recruiting regulations, you should visit colleges you're interested in. This not only offers a chance to meet coaching staff and potential teammates, but it also gives you a taste of life as a student-athlete at that school.

6. Stay in the Game: Not only is it important to keep up your grades and athletic performance, but it's also important to maintain communication with coaches and take standardized tests, if needed.

Remember, there are different athletic divisions (DI, DII, and DIII), each with their own rules regarding scholarships and recruiting. Take this into account when planning your athletic scholarship pursuit.