High school students considering a college sport often overlook all that goes into it: recruitment, time commitment, school fit, and level of play. As part of our Student to Student series, we interviewed our former student-athlete Kaitlin to help you figure out if college sports is right for you and how to differentiate yourself from other recruits.
NCAA Makes Significant Update to Eligibility
The NCAA recently made a major decision to no longer require a standardized test to become NCAA eligible for the 2021-22 academic year. Per NCAA.org, here are some other updates to eligibility:
“Student-athletes enrolling in a Division I school during the 2021-22 academic year will be academically eligible by earning a 2.3 grade-point average in 16 NCAA-approved core courses, with 10 core courses (seven in English, math and science) completed by the start of their seventh semester in high school (prior to senior year).
Student-athletes enrolling in a Division II school during the 2021-22 academic year will be academically eligible by earning a 2.2 grade-point average in 16 NCAA-approved core courses.”
The decision came after students and parents cited significant challenges in securing test dates and managing test cancellations due to COVID-19. Be sure to keep up with our emails and our blog for the most up-to-date information on testing.
It's D3 Week!!!
The realities and myths of division three sports.
Many high school athletes automatically rule out playing college athletics at the Division III level. Before you do, get the facts!
Myth: D-3 isn’t that competitive.
Reality: Many top D-3 teams are stronger than their lower D-1 and D-2 counterparts. In fact, the NESCAC and Centennial conferences field extremely strong teams, particularly in men’s and women’s soccer, lacrosse, cross country, tennis, and volleyball, as well as baseball and softball.
Myth: Division III coaches don’t recruit.
Reality: There is some truth here. Many D-3 coaches rely on student-athletes to reach out and make the first contact. However, for a student on the bubble, having the support of a coach can be the difference between an admit and a deny.
Myth: It’s too much of a time commitment. I need to focus on academics!
Reality: It is a time commitment! College athletes practice each day, when in season, as well as have to balance time in the weight room, chalk-talk sessions, and runs. That being said, at the D-3 level, you are a student first, and coaches make sure that you’ve allocated time for academics.
In fact, many of our high school athletes find that they are more academically successful when they are busy! Too much unstructured time in college may not be a good thing!
Myth: I won't get any money!
Reality: Yes, D-3 colleges do not award athletic scholarships, but many are very generous with merit money, which they award holistically. They may just reward your leadership, commitment and drive with a generous merit scholarship.
Student Athletes Need to Start Early
Well, maybe not quite that early!
Do you want to play a sport in college? If so, you need to plan ahead -- as early as freshman or sophomore year in high school.
Freshmen should be looking at their four-year plan for academics and making sure that they have the rigor needed to be eligible to compete in college. The NCAA has strict requirements for coursework. At a minimum, you will need to take four years of English, three years of mathematics beyond Algebra I, two years of lab science, and two years of social sciences. Most college-bound student-athletes have far more rigor than that!
Sophomores should begin putting together an athletic resume, thinking about the type of schools that they would like to look at, and contacting coaches to set up unofficial visits. They should also take the PSAT and pre-ACT (if offered at their school) to get a sense for where their standardized testing will land. Coaches often ask about grades, rigor, and scores right from the start -- they don't want to waste their time or yours if the student will not make the cut with admissions. For this reason, freshman and sophomore grades are very important!!
Enlist the help of your club coach or high school coach early on as well. Many college coaches will reach out to the coaches that have worked with you in high school to get a sense of the player's coachability, overall attitude, and potential for success.
Finally, research college showcases and camps for the summer. But be careful -- some are just money-makers for the college and offer limited benefit in terms of recruiting. So proceed with caution before spending a lot of money and time.
Fun Fact if You’re Thinking About a College Sport
Less than two-percent of high school athletes receive an athletic scholarship to compete in college. And fewer than two-percent of NCAA student-athletes will go on to play professionally.
Ask the Consultant
Q: I was invited by a coach for an overnight. What should I expect?
A: Congratulations! Expect to be busy. The purpose of the overnight visit is to expose you to the life of a student-athlete at that particular college. You will probably be matched with a host from the team and will follow them around a bit. You will most likely attend classes, eat a meal or two with the team, attend a practice or game, have an interview, and meet with the coaching staff. All in 48-hours!
Expect to be busy!
So soak it all in! This is what college life is going to be like! Pay attention in class. Is this somewhere you can be successful? Watch the interaction between the coach and players during practice. Would you fit in athletically? Ask questions of your future teammates and their friends.