Steps to Take

There are many college-playing opportunities for high school graduates. There are also many schools with soccer programs. These colleges and universities vary widely in size, location, academic offering, and their soccer programs range from moderately competitive to very competitive.

Steps in the process include these points

1. Preparing academically
2. Preparing athletically
3. Completing administrative preparations
4. Identifying realistic college options
5. Generating contacts among these options
6. Following up on contacts
7. Making a selection and committing

For players of equal academic and athletic ability, those who have the opportunity to create more contacts, and those who are more diligent about communicating effectively will find themselves with more opportunities to attend school and play soccer.

Communicating with the Coach

Good communication is essential. Complete forms carefully and return them promptly. Follow up by mail, e-mail and phone. Return phone calls immediately, and remember that the NCAA coach cannot usually call more than once a week. If you have a message, call back and keep calling until you get through.

If you fail to return phone calls promptly or to return paperwork or get your paperwork into the NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse, the coach will have to move on to other players, giving your playing opportunity and financial aid to another player who was prompt about returning paperwork and phone calls.
When the coach calls, the coach wants to present the school and soccer program, to learn more about you - the player, and to arrange to move you further along the recruiting pipeline, possibly to a home visit or to an official visit to the school.

If you are not interested, save everyone time and be honest about it. However, if you are interested, there's a lot you need to find out about the school and program so that you'll be able to make a good decision. The following is a list of questions that you might ask.

About the School

1. Is this a four year or two-year school?
2. Is the school public or private?
3. If it is private…is it church affiliated?
4. Where is the school located?
5. Is this in the country, a small town, or in an urban area?
6. What is the campus like?
7. How large is the school, what is the undergraduate enrollment?
8. What are the strongest degree programs offered, and which are the best academic departments?
9. What degree programs are popular with current soccer players?
10. Do most students live on campus or in off-campus apartments?
11. What is the student housing like?
12. Do the members of the soccer team room together?
13. What transportation is possible from my home to the campus?
14. What is the academic calendar - quarters, semesters or trimesters?
15. What computing resources and library services are available to students?
16. What do you do to help players with their schoolwork?
17. Is tutoring provided?

About the Soccer Program and the Team

1. In what division does the school play? (NAIA, I, II, III, NJCAA)
2. In what conference is the team?
3. What important non-conference teams are scheduled?
4. Can you provide a schedule for next fall?
5. What was the team's conference and overall record this year?
6. How many players will there be on the roster next year?
7. How many will travel with the team?
8. What training happens between seasons?
9. What is the pre-season schedule?
10. What is the practice schedule after school starts?
11. Including meetings, training, travel, and matches, how much time is required?
12. What facilities and staff are available to take care of injuries and rehab?
13. What are your goals for the team?
14. What is the style of play you want to see?

About the Coach's Needs

1. How many seniors are graduating?
2. Is there any red shirt players returning?
3. Where would I play in the team?
4. How much playing time should I expect as a freshman?
5. How many other players are playing that position?
6. Are you recruiting other players for that position? Have you committed to any?

How to Go Forward

1. Where am I on your board now?
2. Have you seen me play?
3. Which tournaments will you be attending? (Appropriate before January)
4. Do you have our team's schedule for this fall? (Appropriate in the Fall)
5. Have you talked with my coaches?
6. Do you have a copy of my playing resume and references?
7. What's the next step?
8. What should I do?
9. Do you see me as a serious possibility?

After this last question, let silence work for you. Listen carefully and let the coach explain fully.

For access to team web sites for many NCAA and NAIA programs please visit their respective institution’s website.