The college experience is, in many cases, the most important four years in our children’s lives, as it will shape their personal and professional direction for a lifetime. That being said, securing admission to a college or university that best match a student’s desires, strengths, and aspirations is essential.
Student-athletes bring a unique quality to the table when it comes to college admissions. They offer a “special talent” that can improve the institution’s visibility and raise the level of popularity among future attendees. College officials understand this and in many cases, offer strong support to student-athletes both in admissions and financial aid.
The college recruiting process can be a daunting effort if it is not well planned and executed with organization and enthusiasm from start to finish. As an Ivy League head coach for 19 years, I would say that roughly 75% of my athletes gained entry because, in part, they were viewed as “special interest.” I’ve learned, first hand, what works and what does not. What follows is a “snapshot” on how prospects and families can begin developing strong awareness about college recruiting.
Develop Your Plan
A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit of the attainment of any worthy product. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize pertinent information regarding this process and to execute well-designed plans.
Gathering information is critical in successfully navigating college recruiting and the sooner you begin, the more familiar you will become with the process. Building a college recruiting information base can begin as early as the ninth grade as a family hobby and increasingly grow into a highly organized, disciplined project by the end of the junior year.
Begin by gathering information on a “wish list” of college teams from all NCAA divisions. Collect information that includes: team and coach profiles, statistics, ranking, and academic offerings. Continue to update and maintain individual e-files on your favorite college programs and follow their progress diligently.
Build your Team
Parents, prospect, high school/club coach, college advisor, guidance counselor and a personal mentor can all be part of your team in the college recruiting process. Each team player will have a specific role to play in order to ensure the prospect’s best chances in finding the right match. Advance goals should be set with clarity and purpose that compliment the organizational structure of the recruiting process.
Not only will a team approach assist the prospect from an organizational standpoint, it will help him/her build confidence in unfamiliar territory. It can make the difference between finding a college and finding the right college match.
Communication
Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the level of support the prospect will receive. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or to provide that extra “push” in the admission process.
If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.
College coaches are strictly bound by a myriad of NCAA contact rules that prohibit them from making contact with prospective student-athletes. This may be true, but what few families realize is that although college coaches may have their “hands tied” to some degree, families may initiate contact with the college coaches, early on and with few exceptions.
The college recruiting process is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. It requires a disciplined and yet flexible approach, especially when timelines get tight and situations become challenging. Developing and executing recruiting plans are crucial to success and no different from preparation for a championship game! Communication with coaches is vital and a proactive effort will only get you on the radar screen faster and more effectively. That being said, the family that approaches the college recruiting process with honesty and sincerity will build mutually strong and respectful relationships with college coaches and position themselves best as they navigate the college search.
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Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Copyright © 2015 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
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Craig’s Note:
This is the first in a series or articles and advice by our expert in college recruiting, Tom Kovic. I would also advise the parent to get with your young athlete to really get clear on what it is he/she wants out of a college experience. Research, research, research. I have had numerous athletes come to me after getting a spot on a Division I program only to find out that they never get to play and wished they would have accepted a D2 or D3. It happens the other way around as well. There are many considerations to understand beforehand that will help you take Tom’s advice and make it effective for your kid and your family’s values.
Some questions to ask yourself:
How important is playing time to me? Is the best-ranked school or a school with the academic program I want the defining factor? What about creating a network of people that can help me even after graduation, which school is likely to have that? Is the coaching staff aligned with how I have successfully played my sport?
Getting the picture? Get on it….
Craig Sigl