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The Admissions Process

What makes applying to selective colleges and universities more of a challenge is that they are in fact selective; that is to say, they have many applicants to choose from and have therefore established selection criteria to determine worthy candidates.  Students are not chosen solely on the basis of their academic credentials, but also based on what the college is looking for in terms of filling academic and athletic programs.  As a soccer player, you will not be evaluated like other candidates; your ability, as well as the needs of the team, will be taken into consideration.  Although the coach will have input, he will not have the authority to make the final decision regarding your admission request.  Keep in mind that there are relatively few institutions or individuals that score high in all areas.  It is very difficult to find institutions that have high academic standards and offer competitive soccer with a strong winning tradition, it is very difficult to find “blue chip” athletes that are similarly “blue chip” scholars.  In fact, college administrators concede that there are only a limited number of gifted soccer players with superb academic credentials to fill the needs of their institutions.

The resulting compromise is to balance academic standards with athletic abilities in order to find qualified student-athletes to fill college rosters.  If your soccer abilities are stronger than your academics, try to match up with those schools that are stronger in soccer than academics, and vice versa.  Once you have identified compatible colleges and universities, you can eliminate schools from this list based on standard evaluation criteria – academics offered, distance from home, cost and so on.  This will narrow your choices and give you an idea of where you want to make initial contacts.  Further elimination will occur by looking at particulars of your given situation – how much a college may want you to enroll, and whether your academic credentials deviate too far from their norm.  In other words, are you as qualified as other applicants?  If not, how far might an admissions committee be willing to compromise to get a talented soccer athlete?  First, try to gauge your value to the soccer program.  Keep in mind that not all institutions apply the same admission standards to their athletes as to the other students.  Look at your position – what is the depth of the team at that position, and graduation year of the starters? Is their skill level greater than yours?  In short, do they need help, and do they need it right away?  If the answer is yes, an admissions committee may compromise on the academic side.  However, there is a limit to how far they will go, even for a marquee player!  If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact the coach or admissions office.  Always ask about hours committed to training, travel and study.  Be wary of long-shots, because they are just that and rarely pan out.  Be aware, also, that any time you show a college both academic and athletic promise, you not only assure your chances of admission, but greatly increase your chances for a merit scholarship.

Remember, if you do nothing, you should expect nothing.

If you are unsure of your playing abilities or where you would fit as a college prospect, ask your coach.

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