College Athletics

• If asked do you need money, say yes early.  Coaches plan out the financial budget ahead of time.
• Schools usually have a certain number of scholarships (12) and divide that $ up – ie –  Athletes can have a variety of percentages of scholarships (20%, 50% etc)
• This conversation often includes parents and coaches.
• Ivy League schools do not award athletic scholarships.
• D3 schools do not award athletic scholarships but merit aid.  (More on that below.)
• D2 do award athletic scholarships.

This is a helpful website on Athletic Scholarships. 

• Determine around the end of sophomore year if the ACT vs SAT is right for you.  They are viewed equally, so know which one you prefer and score higher on.
• Coaches begin asking around junior year for board scores, so think about taking it early in junior year if you can, but also know what is right for you and where you are in your curriculum (ie math level) and when it is wise to take it later.
• Consider practice tests.  Often when coaches ask, it is helpful to know where you are scoring, even if they are practice tests.
• Strategically take AP and Honors courses.  You want to challenge yourself, but do know when it is too much rigor.   Getting an A is sometimes more important for a recruited athlete.
• Sometimes a coach will have a baseline requirement and can share what admissions expects to see.
• Remember as freshman you are tracking course load for junior and senior years

• Enjoy the process
• Find the school that fits.  As a general rule of thumb, D3 offers a more well-rounded quality of life for the student athlete.  
• Learn throughout.  You are competing on a global market for the first time, but find confidence and self-advocacy in that.
• Coaches can tell if the parent is emailing, so let the child communicate.
• Keep in mind, you have four years at a higher ed institution of learning.  Don’t waste it. You have to be happy, motivated and confident.  You are developing your young adult self.