Can someone explain the college tennis recruiting process?

I've been playing tennis competitively in high school and would love to play in college. How does the recruiting process work? Do I need to reach out to coaches or attend specific tournaments?

The college tennis recruiting process can be exciting and rewarding, but it may also feel a bit overwhelming. Here's a general outline of what the process usually looks like:

1. Grades matter: First and foremost, colleges will look at your grades. You'll need to be eligible academically first and foremost.

2. Start early: You should ideally start preparing for the recruitment process during your early high school years. This includes becoming aware of the NCAA rules, particularly around college athlete eligibility and recruitment.

3. Where to play: Depending on your skill level, you should identify whether you see yourself at an NCAA Division I, II, or III, NAIA, or junior college level. All have varying levels of competitiveness.

4. Create a list: Building a list of schools you're interested in is a crucial next step. Consider academic programs, location, size, and the competitiveness of the tennis program.

5. Make a highlight video: A majority of college coaches will want to see a video of you playing. Be sure to include matches along with drills showing diverse skills. Coaches want to understand the level of competition you have played against.

6. Connect with coaches: You can email coaches of the programs you're interested in. Make sure to introduce yourself with important details about your abilities, aspirations, and why you're interested in their program. Note the compliance rules about when and how coaches can contact you back.

7. Tennis resume: Similar to an academic or work resume, you should include your skills, ranking, and notable wins in a tennis resume. This could be in the body of your email or as a link to a personal athletic recruiting website.

8. Register for recruitment portals: Registering on the NCAA Eligibility Center for DI and DII schools or the NAIA Eligibility Center for NAIA schools is crucial. Also, a platform like UTR can facilitate exposure to coaches and comparisons of skill levels amongst players globally.

9. Compete: Making sure you are playing in USTA tournaments is important, with bonus points for National Level tournaments and ITF (International Tennis Federation) tournaments.

10. Official visits: DI and DII schools can offer official visits where you can meet the team, tour the facility, and even attend a class.

11. Commitment: Finally comes the commitment, either through signing a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or for DIII schools, a likely letter.

Lastly, there's patience and persistence in the process. It can be long and have ups and downs, but ultimately finding the right fit both in academics and athletics is the objective. Good luck!