NCSA Recruiting Corner

National Collegiate Scouting Association Recruiting Corner

MAKING SENSE OF THE COLLEGE SCOUTING AND RECRUITING GAME
FEATURED RECRUITING ARTICLE
RECRUITING TIP OF THE MONTH
COLLEGE RECRUITING 101
ABOUT THE NCSA

Making Sense of the College Scouting and Recruiting Game

Only five percent of all male and females who participate in high school interscholastic sports will go on to compete in college at some level. And of that figure, only eight-tenths of 1 percent will receive fully funded scholarships. Have you gone on official visits, received a few hundred recruiting letters by your junior year? Have you contacted college coaches or are you waiting for them to call you? Where do you fit in the recruiting picture?

Players in the recruiting game, especially high school athletes, can never start too early, nor get too much help. However, most students don't know NCAA rules, how to contact coaches, or how to get matched with the best college for them. Anyone in the recruiting business will attest that changes in NCAA rules and technology have changed the collegiate recruiting world, and made it increasingly complex.

The National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA), Cal South's "Official Scouting Organization and Provider of Recruiting Education," is proud to provide you with information on college recruiting via the Recruiting Corner. The Recruiting Corner will provide you with articles on recruiting, tips to assist you with your recruiting process and details on upcoming recruiting workshops.

Featured Recruiting Article - September 2009

What to Expect in the Application Process

The application process is a scary and tough time for student-athletes, but the process will go more smoothly if you are educated in advance. Going into senior year you should be in contact with several coaches and you want to be thinking about which schools you have the most interest in and which ones will be realistic options for you, academically and athletically. You don't want to apply to every school that contacts you; you must take the time to do your research before so that come senior year, you can make smart choices on the schools you apply to. As an athlete, you will probably be applying to 5-10 schools, which is more than a typical student.

NCSA recommends applying to colleges and universities as early as possible. One reason is that it will show coaches that you are serious about their school. Applying quickly furthers your commitment to attending that school and coaches like to see that. You will also have a higher chance of receiving aid from the school as well because they will have more scholarships and grants to offer at the beginning of the year.

You should always speak with the coach before you apply. Make sure they know that you are applying and ask them how and when they recommend that you do so. Keep in mind that each school will have a different deadline. The most selective academic institutions will typically have earlier application deadlines, so you must find out when each school's deadline is. Some coaches have the ability to waive application fees or support your application through admissions to help you get accepted.

There are a few different options you will have when you apply:

Early Decision is typically used for high academic schools. The deadline is usually early fall around November 1^st or 15^th . If you are accepted, you are bound to that school for one academic year and you must withdraw all other applications. It is very important that you are certain the school is your top choice before you apply early decision. With early decision applications you may not know your financial aid package when you apply, so it's important to talk about it beforehand with the coach and financial aid office. Remember that if you have made a commitment there is no more room for bargaining or leverage. Students can ask for a release from an early decision obligation in the case of financial burden, but aside from that it is binding.

Early Action is usually due by November 1st or 15th. Early Action is non-binding and a great option. With Early Action you typically hear back from admissions a lot earlier than the regular applicant pool. They also let you wait until late spring (May) to decide if you are going to attend. This allows you to compare final financial aid offers that come in the spring. When available, this is generally the best option.

Regular Admissions are generally due between January and April, although some schools continue to accept applications later. You generally hear back in April.

Rolling Admissions means that you can apply anytime and will hear back about your application within about 6 weeks.

When it comes to applications, there is no right or wrong answer as every student-athlete and family has their own needs and priorities. Whatever you decide, make sure you are educated on the application process and make sure you keep the coach in the loop and ask the necessary questions.

NCSA Article Archives for 2009 / 2008 / 2007

Recruiting Tip of the Month - September 2009

Start your application essays the summer before senior year. This will save you some time when you are filling out applications in the fall.

Archive of NCSA Recruiting Tips

College Recruiting 101

The National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) provides "College Recruiting 101" for high schools, camps and combines throughout the country each year. "College Recruiting 101" has been praised by athletic directors and high school coaches nationally and is a must-attend for those looking to compete at the collegiate level.

NCSA Educational Speakers will guide parents and student-athletes through the importance of establishing athletic and academic goals, setting realistic expectations and seeking opportunities at all college levels. Attendees will learn valuable tips on finding the best college based on their student-athletes' academic and athletic abilities. Most importantly, "College Recruiting 101" will reiterate that the most valuable goal anyone should strive for isn't scoring in the game but scoring a college education.

Featured Topics:

Understanding whether your student-athlete is really being recruited
Is Division I the only option?
When to call a college coach and what to say
What is the difference between an official and an unofficial visit?
How to set your student-athlete apart from the competition
The importance of character and keeping good grades
How to find the right college fit for success
NCSA is the premier source and one of the most trusted names for educating student-athletes and their families on the college recruiting process. For more information on how NCSA is Redefining Collegiate Recruiting with education and technology everyday, and to view clips from previous "College Recruiting 101" presentations, visit www.ncsasports.org.

To schedule a "College Recruiting 101" presentation please contact the Speaking Event Coordinator, Ashlee Foltz at 888.333.6846 extension 7452 or afoltz@ncsasports.org.

About the NCSA
NCSA, the Official Scouting Organization and Provider of Recruiting Education for Cal South, is the premier source for matching high school scholar-athletes with colleges and universities across the country. NCSA is the "Eyes & Ears" of more than 35,000 college coaches, who rely on NCSA's experienced scouting team and instant response capabilities to provide them with quality prospective recruits. 96% of students enrolled with NCSA participate in sports at the collegiate level and receive more than $15,000 per year of college. By utilizing advanced technology, NCSA delivers the right talent to coaches and makes sure every qualified student-athlete is prepared to maximize this opportunity. NCSA prides itself in educating high school student-athletes and their families about the college recruiting process. Please visit www.ncsasports.org for more information about NCSA.