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Choosing a College

There is more to choosing a college than just soccer. College life will include a commitment and discipline toward academics as well as exposure to a variety of different social activities. Choosing a school should be based on Academics and love for the school first and then soccer should come second. In addition, consideration must also be given to topics that include, but are not limited to:

  • School size
  • Location -urban, suburban, rural, etc
  • Cost
  • Admission Requirements
  • Reputation
  • Class Size
  • Academic Strengths/Majors
  • Housing Options including Greek Life
  • Extra Curricular ActivitiesReligious Affiliation
  • Playing OpportunitiesRed shirt PoliciesWalk on Policies
  • Current Rosters

Discuss playing opportunities with the coach; talk about admission requirements with the Admissions Representatives; take a virtual tour; visit the campus; interview other students and potential teammates; and evaluate each school's overall strengths. Watch the team play and how the coach interacts with the players on the field and the style in which the team plays.

This is a 4 year commitment, so when choosing, make sure to choose the school for the school and imagine what college life would be like if you were to not play soccer (injury, got cut, decided not to play, etc...)

Club's Role

The club will assist any player during the college process as much as the player wants to be helped. Here are some ways the club can assist our players:

  • Give an honest evaluation of where the player's level is and if the schools they are looking at are on par with their current soccer level (this still does not mean they will play at the school as that is up to the current coach, their style, number of players returning, etc...)
  • Will help in getting the teams into events that will expose our teams to college coaches
  • Will make phone calls on behalf of our players
  • Will sit down with the player (and parents if they like, but the player is the one going to school, so the most important person at the meeting) to discuss ideas, ways to put together a resume, cover letter, etc...

There are numerous things the club will help with in regards to our players and the college process--however, please note that a lot of the work does fall on the individual player and the club is here as a resource. It is up to the player to decide how much help they want and how much help they need.

Last thing--no matter how good you are as a soccer player, if you are not a fit academically for that school, there is nothing that coach can do. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP UP ON YOUR GRADES SO THAT YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR SCHOOL AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!

College Visits

There are two types of college visits that Prospective Student Athletes (PSA's) may participate in:
Unofficial visits may take place at any time beginning as early as 9th grade and as often as you like. These visits are entirely paid for by the family/player.
Official visits which may only take place after July 1st of the beginning of a student’s senior year. Official visits are strictly monitored in accordance with NCAA rules and regulations. These are typically paid for by the school and currently you are only allowed 5.

College Admission Representatives at Your School
In addition to visiting college campuses, many students meet with college representatives at their school. These visits provide students with valuable opportunities to hear first-hand information about curriculum, campus facilities, student housing and organizations, as well as about admission requirements. Check with you high school counselor for information about college representatives visiting your school.

College Fairs
Most cities schedule college fairs in the fall and the spring. These fairs offer students access to representatives from a wide array of institutions in one central location during a concentrated period of time. Typically the format is designed for students to stop by specific tables, to sign-up for the college/universities mailing list, and to ask questions of the representatives.

Visit The Campus
The purpose of a campus visit is to allow students and families a deeper look at colleges of interest. Reference books and guidebooks provide the statistics but the campus visit provides the "feel". The Information Session Depending on the size of the institution, the time of year, and other circumstances, this presentation may be a one-on-one conversation with an admissions representative, a coach, or a presentation to a large group. This session almost always concludes with time for questions and answers. Some campus tours consist of a single family; others consist of ten families. The guide may be a current/former student, a coach, or an admissions officer.Since the tour is an opportunity for the college to show you what it wants to show you, it is important that you also leave time to explore the campus on your own. Buy a soda in the student center and observe the people and their activities. And be sure to stop students and ask them what they like and dislike about the school. You’re likely to hear a lot of valuable information that you won’t hear from coaching and admissions staff.

Tips on Planning a Visit

  • Institutions have different visiting procedures; some colleges may have limited appointment slots or specific tour/presentation times.
  • Schedule your appointment as soon as possible.
  • Tell your college counselor when you are planning a trip. You may receive important suggestions specific to you and she/he is always interested in your process and progress.

When Do I Visit?
The campus visit is an important aspect of the college selection process. During these visits students attempt to determine whether a particular institution is a good match. Determine the purpose –there are three distinct phases:

  • If you are just starting out, you are trying to determine which style to consider.
  • If you know your parameters, you are trying to decide where to apply.
  • If you have been accepted, you are trying to make a final decision.

After all the research, internet, and guidebook comparisons, the visit brings each campus to life. Many families take advantage of vacation time to make some campus visits, while others may choose to visit during the school year when college classes are in session. Some students find that initial campus visits help them to narrow the list of schools to which they apply. A second visit may help with making a final decision. Whatever the specific timeline, there is no substitute for a campus visit.

Three Types Of Unofficial Visits

1. Drop-in: This is the visit during which most students do their "shopping". Students participate in a group information session, take a group tour, and make contact with the admissions officer and coach, either by signing in or by having a brief conversation.
2. Individual informational appointment: Similar to drop-in but requires more preparation since an admissions representative or coach takes the time to meet with you personally. They are trying to measure your interest in his/her college andto other specific information.
3. Interview: Sometimes for a scholarship competition, sometimes for admissions purposes, this visit is more evaluative than the first two options and it requires the most preparation.

The Initial Call: (Questions You Might Ask)

  • Is the appointment individual or group? (preparation will differ for each)
  • When are the tour and presentation times? (often 10:00 am and 2:00 pm)
  • Will you send me directions to the campus?
  • Are there special parking areas?
  • May I sit in on a class?
  • May I talk to the coach/faculty member? (remember that coaches cannot talk officially with a prospective student until after July 1 following the 11th grade year)
  • Many colleges follow up with a confirmation letter and map of the campus.

Key Questions: Use these questions to develop your own

  • How are you treated?
  • Are the people kind, helpful, informed?
  • How diverse is the campus population?
  • Do you see the students and teachers interacting? What are the "hot" issues on campus?
  • Which student activities are most popular?
  • What issues does the student newspaper address?
  • What is on the bulletin boards?
  • Is the campus well maintained?
  • Is the campus safe?
  • What about transportation to off-campus events?
  • What are the housing options?
  • What are the dining options?
  • What is the surrounding community like?
  • Use your answers to determine:
        - Would you feel comfortable on this campus?
        - Would you be challenged on this campus?

Sample Resumé

Click for an example resumé in either MS Word -OR- PDF

9th Grade Timeline

  • Develop your College goals and objectives worksheet
  • Review and understand the NCAA’s academic eligibility requirements
  • Participate in high school extra-curricular activities, i.e. Student Council
  • Develop a resume including academic and athletic achievements
  • Create your first list of colleges that you may be interested in
  • Set academic goals that meet NCAA requirements
  • Meet with your College Guidance Counselor to review your program
  • Schedule meeting with high school college counselor to review your freshman year progress
  • Participate in off school season programs and camps in your sport
  • Visit colleges during your summer travels

10th Grade Timeline

  • Participate on high school athletic teams –JV or varsity
  • Keep a record of ALL your academic and athletic achievements and statistics, and update your resume
  • Continue progressing toward completion of your academic courses as required by the NCAA.
  • Begin considering future careers you may be interested in
  • Work with your counselor to determine appropriate majors/coursest o best prepare you for such careers
  • Take PSAT
  • Research colleges that may be of interest to you
  • Schedule campus visits to colleges of interest
  • Visit colleges during your summer travels
  • Participate in off school season programs and camps in your sport
  • Update your player profile and send to coaches with an appropriate cover letter, your Spring statistics, and your Summer schedule
  • Follow up with interested coaches

11th Grade Timeline

  • Continue with your best performance course work and ensure that it exceeds minimum NCAA requirements (core courses)
  • Be prepared to put in extra study time
  • Participate on high school athletic teams –JV or varsity
  • Keep record of ALL academic and athletic achievements and statistics and update resume
  • Organize a filing system and a follow up plan to track colleges that respond to your inquiries
  • Research colleges you have interest in and those that have interest in you. Include academic standards, majors, athletics, social, size, location, etc.Involve parents, counselors, coaches
  • Evaluate your PSAT results–High PSAT scores might qualify you for National Merit Scholarships.
  • Register, prepare, and take ACT, SATs –Meet with college representatives as they visit your school
  • Meet with your counselor to create a testing plan and develop a list of colleges for your academic, athletic, and personal match
  • Meet with your coach for a realistic athletic evaluation –which college level should you target?
  • Ask coaches for assistance in the recruiting process –Send letters of interest and resumes to college coaches
  • Attend local College Fairs –Take class trips to local college campuses –Complete Common Application
  • Begin individual and family conferences with counselor to createa list of colleges to be researched by student
  • Participate in off school season programs and camps in your sport
  • Register and prepare for upcoming ACT, SAT and APs
  • Retake tests if scores are not where they need to be
  • Update your Player Profile and/or resume, your Spring high school season statistics, then send to interested college coaches along with your Summer sports schedule
  • Contact coaches at the schools that most interest you (remember, they cannot call you back, so if you leave a message, you will need to phone them again--they are not allowed to call you until July 1st of your Senior Year)
  • Make unofficial visits to the schools that interest you

12th Grade Timeline

  • Participate in off season sports and camps
  • Continue with your best performance course work and ensure that it exceeds minimum NCAA requirements
  • Implement an off season strength and conditioning workout
  • Play as much as you can to stay in shape and sharp with the ball
  • Relax and enjoy the summer!
  • Thank all the people that have helped you through this process, especially your parents!

Additional Resources

NCAA Clearinghouse: https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/

Federal Student Aid: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ 

The Sport Source: http://www.thesportsource.com/CollegePlanning.aspx 

NCAA Men’s Soccer: http://www.ncaa.com/soccer-mens/default.aspx?id=380

NCAA Women’s Soccer: http://www.ncaa.com/soccer-womens/default.aspx?id=396 

College Foundation of North Carolina: http://www.cfnc.org/

 

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