RECRUITING TIMELINE
One of the challenges you'll face as a family is knowing when and how to kick off the college recruiting process.
We've all heard the stories of college coaches making scholarship offers to kids as young as 13, but for most hopeful recruits, this experience is far from reality.
We recommend using a student athletes 9th and 10th grade year to lay the college recruiting foundation with the understanding that full on recruiting doesn't begin for most student athletes until the start of their junior year of high school.
9TH GRADE
- Start the planning process
- Set the R.I.G.H.T goals
- Begin taking CORE courses and good off to a strong start
- Play at the highest level of travel/HS teams possible
- Consider working with a personal trainer/coach to help with athleticism and ability
10TH GRADE
- Begin compiling a list of target schools and determine what factors are most important to you
- Register with NCAA & NAIA eligibility Centers, complete recruiting questionnaires for all schools on your list
- Begin compiling highlight & game videos, consider setting up a YouTube channel and Twitter page to promote skills/accomplishments
- Take SAT / ACT practice tests and/or test prep courses, keep your grades up
10TH GRADE
- Begin compiling a list of target schools and determine what factors are most important to you
- Register with NCAA & NAIA eligibility Centers, complete recruiting questionnaires for all schools on your list
- Begin compiling highlight & game videos, consider setting up a YouTube channel and Twitter page to promote skills/accomplishments
- Take SAT / ACT practice tests and/or test prep courses, keep your grades up
11TH GRADE
- Continue to research schools but try to trim your list to 10 schools
- Stay in contact with coaches often; let them know of your continued interest and also if you’re no longer interested
- Register for SAT/ACT Tests
- Look to attend Showcase games and tournaments and let coaches know your schedule
- Make official and unofficial visits to schools you’re interested in
11TH GRADE
- Continue to research schools but try to trim your list to 10 schools
- Stay in contact with coaches often; let them know of your continued interest and also if you’re no longer interested
- Register for SAT/ACT Tests
- Look to attend Showcase games and tournaments and let coaches know your schedule
- Make official and unofficial visits to schools you’re interested in
12TH GRADE
- Zero in on your top 4 to 6 schools
- Continue to communicate with coaches on a frequent basis; don’t be afraid to ask where you stand
- Quickly let schools know if you’re no longer interested, but don’t burn bridges
- Take official visits to schools on your short list, meet coaches and players
- Complete FAFSA form, get college applications in early and apply to all schools on your short list
- Commit to a school – make sure it’s your decision
12TH GRADE
- Zero in on your top 4 to 6 schools
- Continue to communicate with coaches on a frequent basis; don’t be afraid to ask where you stand
- Quickly let schools know if you’re no longer interested, but don’t burn bridges
- Take official visits to schools on your short list, meet coaches and players
- Complete FAFSA form, get college applications in early and apply to all schools on your short list
- Commit to a school – make sure it’s your decision
This is a high level overview of the recruiting timeline. Timetables will differ somewhat based on student athletes ability, sport, and gender. However, this provides a basic idea of the overall process.
There are some constants that apply to almost all families regardless of student-athlete's ability and the sport they play:
- Start the process early and have a plan
- Keep an open mind
- Take care of your academics
- Be proactive and take control of the process