Senior year is here!! This is the most exciting time for college recruiting, and is key to your Athletic Scholarship. Some keys are Official Visits, National Letter of Intent (NLI) or Singing Day. Below is your recruit checklist:
| Timing |
Category |
Item |
| All Year |
Academics |
Focus on finishing strong, some school
scholarships are contingent on good final grades. |
| All Year |
Academics |
Depending on how your test scores have come out,
schedule retakes and make sure you have sent scores to the NCAA
Eligibility Center. |
| All Year |
Activities |
Continue to focus on extra curriculars by participating in clubs, community
and leadership activities |
| All Year |
Academics |
Identify any problem areas immediately and seek teacher or tutor
assistance to make sure you have a solid foundation for future classes |
| Fall |
All |
Set goals for the year in both academics and
athletics. |
| Fall |
Academics |
Begin to examine all Financial Aid Requirements.
Check with target school admissions/financial aid. |
| Fall |
Academics |
Narrow down your list to 10 schools, and focus
on the application process for these. Just like any other
non-athletic applicant, make sure you have some safety schools, as well
as some reach schools on the list. If you have no solid
opportunities, you may need to rebuild your list. |
| Fall |
Recruiting |
Download or Purchase the
latest version of the
NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete, check for changes |
| Fall |
Recruiting |
Review the latest NCAA Academic Requirements to make sure you are taking the
correct courses:
NCAA Student Athlete Worksheet and
NCAA Academic Quick Reference Guide |
| Fall |
Recruiting |
Make sure your
NCAA Eligibility
Center information is all complete, and you have directed your SAT
and ACT scores to code "9999". |
| Fall |
Recruiting |
Download and learn your recruiting timeline.
Here is the NCAA Calendar:
NCAA College Recruiting Timelines and Calendars |
| Fall |
Academics |
Meet with High School Guidance Counselor to
ensure you are on track for all requirements. |
| Fall |
Recruiting |
Plan and organize official visits. If one
has not been offered at your target schools, call and inquire. Be
prepared with questions, and also prepared to respond to offers. |
| Fall |
Recruiting |
Negotiate and compile all scholarship offers. |
| Winter |
Academics |
Finalize and Submit all application materials |
| Winter |
Academics |
The FAFSA becomes available January 1st, and
most schools require it submitted in late winter/early spring.
Check with Financial Aid Office at each school for deadlines. |
| Winter |
Academics |
Work with your target school coaches to see
examine your offers and figure out your best financial aid options. |
| Various Times |
Recruiting |
Know your National Letter of Intent (NLI), or
signing day. Make sure you have all your offers, and know your
final choice. Coordinate with your school, coach and athletic
director. Here for more info:
National Signing
Day |
| All Year |
Athletics |
Ask for additional evaluations from high school and club coaches for a reality
check |
| All Year |
Athletics |
Define strength, benchmark and competitive goals with coaches for
the year |
| All Year |
Athletics |
Work with outside strength / agility programs and outside coaches /
clinics to enhance skills |
| All Year |
Social Media |
Make sure you use Facebook, MySpace and all other internet
accessible sites in a mature manner. Coaches look!!! |
| All Year |
Social Media |
Make sure all your target school coaches have
all your social media links, and update all sites with stats, footage,
pictures, records, etc. |
| In Season |
Athletics |
Make sure you keep a log of all your stats, collect all photos and
video clips and any newspaper clippings. |
| In Season |
Athletics |
Coaches look for good athletes, but also want leadership and good
sportsmanship. Make sure you rise to the occasion. |
| In Season |
Athletics |
Evaluate your performance pre, during and post season, and perform a
reality check (do you make the cut) |
| In Season |
Athletics |
Utilize your social media and send periodic
updates on new records, milestones, pics, etc. |
| In / Post Season |
Recruiting |
Update accounts on BeRecuited,
Takkle, etc. and make sure your
profile is complete and updated. |
| Post Season |
Recruiting |
Continue to communicate with your target school
coaches through email and phone. Get a true feel of where you
stand. |
| Post Season |
Recruiting |
Continue to organize your email folders with one for each
school. Make sure you place all your messages for that school into
the folder. |
| Post Season |
Recruiting |
Update your Microsoft Excel Log for all
communications with school representatives. Include calls, email,
Tweets, etc. |
| Spring |
Recruiting |
Work with your counselor to make sure your final
transcripts are sent to the Eligibility Center and your destination
school. |
| Summer |
Recruiting |
Keep in contact with your new coach and ask for
any focus areas. |
| Summer |
Athletics |
Enroll in strength and agility training specific
for your sport, and target school. |
