Fire Juniors College Recruitment Guide by Scholar Athlete USA

COLLEGE RECRUITMENT GUIDE

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Table of Contents Â College Testing SATs and ACTs explained SAT and ACT Testing Dates SAT and ACT Comparison Chart

3 4 5 6

Eligibility Process Explained What is the Eligibility Process? NCAA Eligibility Requirements Steps to Achieving your NCAA Eligibility Status NCAA Eligibility Center Registration Process NCAA Recruiting Calendar Recruiting Definitions Explained NAIA Eligibility Process

7 8 8 9 10 11 12 15

College Applications How to Write a College Admissions Essay The College Interview

16 18 18

Recruiting Process Explained Understanding the College System Recruiting Facts and Myths Communicating with College Coaches Questions to ask during the recruiting process College Camps and Showcases

20 21 22 23 25 26

Athletic Scholarships Explained Differences in Scholarship Opportunities What does a Scholarship cover? Explanation of Academic Scholarships and Grants

27 28 28 28

Athlete Resources Example Athlete Profile Example Email to a College Coach Example Tournament Email to College Coach

29 30 31 32

Useful Links

COLLEGE TESTING

COLLEGE TESTING SATs and ACTs Explained What is the SAT? The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions the United States. The test takes three hours and forty-five minutes, and costs $47 ($75 International), excluding late fees. Possible scores range from 600 to 2400, combining test results from three 800-point sections (Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing). You can take the test as many times you wish and use the best scores from each section from different tests to post your highest score. What is the ACT? The ACT, or American College Testing, is another standardized collegiate examination. Although the ACT is not as well-known as the SAT, it is almost as widespread; as of 2008, nearly all four-year colleges and universities in the United States accept the ACT, although every school factors the results into admission decisions differently. The test itself consists of four subject multiple-choice examinations; the exams cover English, mathematics, science and reading. A fifth exam, an optional essay writing test, was added in 2005, though not all schools require the essay portion of the test. SAT vs. ACT The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing. Both tests are accepted at the majority of colleges and universities. Make sure you check the admissions of the colleges and universities you are interested in as a small number do not require you to take the test. Neither of the tests are a requirement if you are attending a junior college. Take both the SAT and ACT tests? Many students simply take both the ACT and SAT, which provides a choice of two scores for college admissions. If applying to many different schools, the advantage would be that the student has covered their bases in applying to different schools.

COLLEGE TESTING ACT Testing Dates and Registration Deadlines

Date

Registration Deadline

Late Registration Deadline

September 13th 2014

August 8th 2014

August 9th -22nd 2014

October 25th 2014

September 19th 2014

Sept 20th –Oct 3rd 2014

December 13th 2014

November 7th 2014

November 8th -21st 2014

February 7th 2015

January 9th 2015

January 10th -16th 2015

April 18th 2015

March 13th 2015

March 14th -27th 2015

June 13th 2015

May 8th 2015

May 9th -22nd 2015

September 12th 2015

N/A

October 24th 2015

N/A

December 12th 2015

N/A

SAT Testing Dates and Registration Deadlines Date Registration Deadline

Late Registration Deadline

October 11th 2014

September 12th 2014

September 30th 2014

November 8th 2014

October 9th 2014

October 28th 2014

December 6th 2014

November 6th 2014

November 24th 2014

January 24th 2015

December 29th 2014

January 13th 2015

March 14th 2015

February 13th 2015

March 3rd 2015

May 2nd 2015

April 6th 2015

April 21st 2015

COLLEGE TESTING

ACT & SAT Comparison Chart The table below gives an explanation of the comparative scores between the SAT and ACT test. This is a good resource if you decide to take both tests and it could provide some insight into which test is more suitable for you. Please note this table is different to the tables you will see showing the Academic Eligibility requirements for the NCAA.

SAT CR + M (Score Range)

ACT Composite Score

SAT CR + M (Single Score)

1600

1540-1590

1560

1490-1530

1510

1440-1480

1460

1400-1440

1420

1360-1390

1380

1330-1350

1340

1290-1320

1300

1250-1280

1260

1210-1240

1220

1170-1200

1190

1130-1160

1150

1090-1120

1110

1050-1080

1070

1020-1040

1030

980-1010

990

940-970

950

900-930

910

860-890

870

820-850

830

770-810

790

720-760

740

670-710

690

620-660

640

ELIGIBILITY PROCESS EXPLAINED

What is the Eligibility Process? The eligibility process determines a prospective college athlete’s academic and amateur eligibility. The process is a requirement for each individual who wishes to compete in his or her college sport. The NCAA and NAIA organizations have their own eligibility centers, therefore a prospective college athlete who is interested in attending an NCAA and/or an NAIA college must go through either or both of these eligibility centers before being cleared to compete in their sport at the college level.

NCAA Eligibility Requirements Academic Requirements Division I To be able to play and receive an athletic scholarship in your freshmen year, you must; *Graduate from high school *Complete these 16 Core Courses - 4 years of English - 3 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher) - 2 years of natural or physical science (including 1 year of lab science if offered by your high school) - 1 extra year of English, math or natural or physical science - 2 years of social science - 4 years of extra core courses (from any category above or foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy) *Earn a minimum required GPA in your core courses; and *Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course GPA and the test score sliding scale. Division II *Graduate from high school *Complete these16 core courses; - 3 years of English - 2 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher) - 2 years of natural or physical science (including 1 year of lab if offered by your high school) - 3 additional years of English, math or natural or physical science - 2 years of social science - 4 years of extra core courses (from any category above or foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy) *Earn a 2.0 GPA or better in your core courses *Earn at minimum a combined SAT score of 820 or an ACT score of 68. Division III Division III college bound student-athletes are not certified by the Eligibility center because Division III colleges and universities each set their own admissions standards and there are no initial eligibility requirements in the division.

ELIGIBILITY PROCESS EXPLAINED Steps to Achieving your NCAA Eligibility Status Freshmen and sophomores *Start planning now! *Work hard to get the best grades possible *Take classes that match your high school’s list of NCAA courses *You can access and print your high school’s list of NCAA courses at www.eligibilitycenter.org *If you fall behind, use summer school sessions before graduation to catch up. Juniors *Complete your registration at the beginning of the year at www.eligibilitycenter.org *Register to take the ACT, SAT or both and use the Eligibility Center code “9999” as a score recipient. This will mean your scores are sent directly to the Eligibility Center. *Double-check to make sure the courses you are taking match your school’s list of NCAA courses. *Ask your high school counselor to send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completing your junior year. If you have attended more than one high school, the Eligibility Center will need official transcripts from all the high school’s you attended. *All transcripts must be mailed to the Eligibility Center. *Before registering for your senior year classes, check with your high school counselor the number of core courses that you need to complete your senior year. Seniors *Take the SAT and/or ACT again, if necessary. The Eligibility Center will use the best scores from each section of the ACT or SAT to determine your best cumulative score. *Continue to take college-prep courses. *Review your amateurism responses and request final amateurism certification on or after April 1st (for fall enrollees) or October 1st (for spring enrollees). *Keep your GPA as high as possible *Graduate within eight academic semesters *After your graduation, ask your high school counselor to send your final academic transcript to the Eligibility Center with your proof of graduation.

ELIGIBILITY PROCESS EXPLAINED NCAA Eligibility Center Registration Process Online Registration To register with the Eligibility Center, go to www.eligibilitycenter.org . To create an account, either click on the “New Account” button at the top right of the screen or the cell phone on the left-side of the screen. Account Creation You will need to provide a valid email address to create an account and begin the registration process. About Me In this section you will need to provide some short facts about yourself – such as name, address, date of birth and gender. My Coursework You will need to enter the name and location of your high school you currently attend. If you have attended more than one high school (including summer school) during grades 9-12, you will need to enter that information as well. List all school you previously attended, making sure to include all schools whether you received grades or credits. If you attended 9th grade at a junior high school located in the same school system in which you later attended high school, do not list the 9th grade school. My Sport In this section you will need to list the sport(s) you plan on participating in at a NCAA Division I or II university or college. The Eligibility Center will ask you about the high school and/or club teams you have been part of and events you have participated in during your high school career. Payment Your account will be eligible for processing once the registration fee of $70 for U.S. students or $120 for international students has been paid. You must pay online by debit, credit card or e-check.

ELIGIBILITY PROCESS EXPLAINED Recruiting Definitions Contact A contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or the prospect’s parents, relatives or legal guardian(s) and an institutional staff member or athletics representative during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting. Any such face-to-face encounter that is prearranged (e.g., staff member positions himself/herself in a location where contact is possible) or that takes place on the grounds of the prospect’s educational institution or at the site of organized competition or practice involving the prospect or the prospect’s high school, preparatory school, two-year college or all-star team shall be considered a contact, regardless of whether any conversation occurs. However, an institutional staff member or athletics representative who is approached by a prospect or the prospect’s parents, relatives or legal guardian(s) at any location shall not use a contact, provided the encounter was not prearranged and the staff member or athletics representative does not engage in any dialogue in excess of a greeting and takes appropriate steps to immediately terminate the encounter. Evaluation Evaluation is any off-campus activity designed to assess the academic qualifications or athletics ability of a prospective student-athlete, including any visit to a prospect’s educational institution (during which no contact occurs) or the observation of a prospect participating in any practice or competition at any site. Evaluation Days An evaluation day is defined as one coach engaged in the evaluation of any prospect on one day (12:01 a.m. to midnight); two coaches making evaluations on the same day shall use two evaluation days. Recruited Prospective Student-Athlete Actions by staff members or athletics representatives that cause a prospect to become a recruited prospect at that institution are: a. Providing the prospect with an official visit; b. Having an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with the prospect or the prospect’s parent(s), relatives or legal guardian(s); c. Initiating or arranging a telephone contact with the prospect, the prospect’s relatives or legal guardian(s) on more than one occasion for the purpose of recruitment; or d. Issuing a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of athletically related financial aid to the prospect (excluding summer term awards prior to initial full-time enrollment). Telephone Calls All electronically transmitted human voice exchange (including videoconferencing and videophones) shall be considered telephone calls. All electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., electronic mail, facsimiles) shall not be considered telephone calls. CONTACTS, EVALUATIONS AND TELEPHONE CALLS Off-Campus Recruiters An institutional staff member is not permitted to recruit off campus until he or she has been certified on an annual basis as to knowledge of applicable recruiting rules. Telephone Calls During Conduct of Athletics Contest Telephone calls to a prospect [or the prospect’s relatives or legal guardian(s)] may not be made during the conduct of any of the institution’s intercollegiate athletics contests in that sport from the time the institution’s team reports on call at the competition site at the direction of the coach until the competition has concluded and the team has been dismissed by the coach. Telephone Calls - Institutional Staff Members -- General Rule All telephone calls made to and received from prospects (or the prospects’ parents, legal guardians or coaches) must be made and received by the head coach or one or more of the assistant coaches who count toward the numerical limitations in that sport.

ELIGIBILITY PROCESS EXPLAINED Visits to a Prospect’s Educational Institution Visits to a prospect’s educational institution that will occur during that portion of the day when classes are being conducted for all students must receive the approval of the executive officer (or the executive officer's designated representative) of the prospect’s educational institution. Counting Contacts and Evaluations Evaluations that occur during the academic year count against the permissible number of recruiting opportunities. Outside of the academic year, evaluations do not count against the annual number of recruiting opportunities. Contacts that occur with a prospect count against the permissible number of total recruiting opportunities regardless of the time period (e.g., academic year or outside the academic year). All contacts and evaluations are subject to recruiting calendar restrictions. Contact at Prospect’s Practice or Competition Site Recruiting contact may not be made with a prospect prior to any athletics competition in which the prospect is a participant during the day or days of competition, even if the prospect is on an official or unofficial visit. Contact includes the passing of notes to a prospect by a third party on behalf of an institutional staff member. Contact shall not be made with the prospect as follows: a. At any site prior to the contest on the day or days of competition; b. From the time the prospect reports on call (at the direction of his or her coach or comparable authority) and becomes involved in competition-related activity to the end of the competition even if such competition-related activities are initiated prior to the day or days of competition; c. After the competition, including competition that requires more than one day of participation (e.g., a tournament), until the prospect is released by the appropriate institutional authority and departs the dressing and meeting facility; and d. Coaching staff members may not send electronic correspondence to a prospect while he or she is on call for competition at the competition site. Coaching staff members may send general correspondence (including electronic correspondence) to a prospect while he or she is on call and not at the competition site or while the prospect is at any location once he or she has been released by the appropriate authority, provided the general correspondence is sent directly to a prospect (e.g., the front desk of the hotel, the prospect’s personal fax machine) and there is no additional party (e.g., camp employee, coach) involved in disseminating the correspondence. Visit (Without Contact) to Prospective Student-Athlete’s Educational Institution A visit (without contact) by a coaching staff member to a prospect’s educational institution counts as an evaluation for all prospects in that sport at that educational institution. Evaluations Are Sport Specific The limitations on the number of evaluations are sport specific; therefore, a prospect being earnestly recruited by an institution in more than one sport may be evaluated on the permissible number of occasions in each of those sports during the academic year. Evaluations are counted against the sport of the coach making the evaluation. Evaluations in Team Sports In team sports, an institution shall use an evaluation for each prospect participating in a practice or contest observed by the institution’s coach, even if a contact is made during the same day. An institution’s coach who is attending an event in which prospects from multiple educational institutions participate in drills (e.g., combine) shall use an evaluation only for each prospective student-athlete participating in the event that the coach observes engaging in the drills. Tournament Evaluations Evaluation during each day of a tournament held during the academic year shall count as a separate evaluation except as follows: a. Evaluation of multiple contests in a tournament that occurs on consecutive days (and normally at the same site) shall count as a single evaluation;

ELIGIBILITY PROCESS EXPLAINED b. Evaluation of multiple contests in a single tier of a tournament (e.g., sectional, district, regional) shall count as a single observation. If a particular tier of a tournament is subdivided into identifiable segments (e.g., conducted on different weekends), evaluation of contests in each identifiable segment counts as a single observation. Other Multi-Day Events Evaluations at a multiple-day event (e.g., jamboree, round robin, showcase) constitute separate evaluations for each day of the event unless the event is conducted in a tournament format in which a winner of the event is determined. Evaluations/Contact at Prospective Student-Athlete’s Educational Institution If a coach makes an in-person recruiting contact at a prospect’s educational institution, all evaluations (other than observations of athletically related activities) made on that calendar day at the prospect’s educational institution shall not count among the permissible number of evaluations for any prospect at that institution in the applicable sport. Communication After Commitment The restrictions on the forms and frequency of communication shall no longer apply beginning the calendar day after: (1) the prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid; or (2) the institution receives a financial deposit in response to the institution’s offer of admission.

ELIGIBILITY PROCESS EXPLAINED NAIA Eligibility Process In 2011 the NAIA has introduced their own Eligibility Center to determine the amateurism of student-athletes playing sports at NAIA schools. The process is very much identical to the process for the NCAA Eligibility Center, and if interested in attending an NAIA school you will be asked to provide all of the same information. To be eligible to attend an NAIA school, you must meet two of these three requirements; *Achieve a minimum of 18 on the ACT and/or 860 on the SAT *Have a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale *Graduate in the top half (50%) of your high school class What Happens When I Register? You will create a personal profile with the basic facts about your academic history and sports participation to date. The NAIA uses that information – with standardized test scores and official transcripts – to make a determination about your initial eligibility. You also have the opportunity to build a personal sport resume through our NAIA Connections service to provide more in-depth information about your experience and accomplishments, plus the type of college you have in mind - size, location, areas of study, extracurricular activities. The NAIA will use that information to give you a list of NAIA colleges that match those interests. You can then send your profile directly to coaches and admissions offices at up to five schools. What Information Will I Need to Provide? You need your current contact information, previous addresses, high school and/or colleges attended and history of your sports participation after high school graduation. When you register for the ACT or SAT, include the NAIA Eligibility Center (9876) on the list of places test scores should be sent. Ask your high school counselor and/or college registrars to send official transcripts directly to the NAIA Eligibility Center. For high school students; the official transcript should verify high school graduation, class rank and cumulative grade point average. To apply to the NAIA Eligibility Center, click on the following link - http://www.playnaia.org/

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS What to Include in your College Application Your college application creates a portrait of who you are and what you can bring to a college. The best way to give colleges an accurate, and useful, picture of yourself is to fill out each application honestly, carefully and completely. Check with your high school counselor to find out which parts of the application your school sends directly to each college for you. Make sure you know which items you are responsible for sending. Also, find out if your school has suggestions for when to request teacher and counselor recommendations and other applicationrelated items. It is imperative that you meet all deadlines - those of your school and those of any college to which you are applying. Our college application calendar can give you a general overview of what actions to take when. Applications vary from college to college, but most require some or all of the following parts: Application Form Be sure to check with the colleges you are applying to and find out if they prefer an online application, or if you need to get a printed application form and package from them. Application Fee College application fees vary. Most are in the $35 to $50 range. The fee is usually nonrefundable, even if you're not accepted. Many colleges offer fee waivers for applicants from low-income families. If you need a fee waiver, talk with your high school counselor. High School Transcript Your transcript shows all the courses you’ve taken and the grades you’ve earned starting with ninth or 10th grade. It’s probably the most important part of the application: It’s your academic record. Your high school sends the transcript directly to colleges on your behalf. It includes a school profile, which helps the colleges interpret your transcript — explaining the available courses and levels. Your school also sends a final transcript, at the end of your senior year, to the college you decide to attend. Your college wants to see that you’ve kept your grades up through graduation; if you haven’t, this may affect your admission. Admission Test Scores Many colleges require you to submit SAT® scores, SAT Subject Tests™ scores or both. These admission tests are standard tools for measuring a student's ability to do college-level work. Scores are sent directly from the testing organization to the colleges. When you sign up to take the SAT, you can choose which colleges should receive your scores, and which scores to send them. Your test fee includes the costs of sending your scores to several colleges. Letters of Recommendation Many colleges ask you to submit one or more letters of recommendation from a teacher, counselor or other adult who knows you well. When asking for recommendations, be sure to do so well before the college's deadline. You may also want to give a short written summary of your achievements and goals to the person you’ve asked to recommend you. Essay Your essay often plays a very important role. Whether you're writing an autobiographical statement or an essay on a specific theme, take the opportunity to express your individuality. This helps the admission officers get a feel for who you really are.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Interview If the colleges you are considering offer interviews, you should schedule one. Requesting a college interview is considered a sign that you are very interested in a college, and that can count in your favor during the admission process. Even if it's not required, it's a good idea to set up an interview because it gives you a chance to make a personal connection with someone who has a voice in deciding whether or not you are offered admission. If you're too far away for an on-campus interview, try to arrange to meet with an alumnus in your community. The interview is also a good time to ask questions, so you can make sure the college is right for you.

How to Write a College Admissions Essay Writing your college essay can be very intimidating. What do you write about? What sort of voice do you use? How does the essay need to be formatted? Who is the audience? You probably have a lot of questions – after all, this is likely the first time you’ve had to write such a piece. Make sure that you choose a topic you are passionate about. If the school is requiring that applicants write about a specific topic, do some research and try to develop an interesting approach to the topic – still stay within the guidelines, but try to make your essay standout from the many others. An admissions counselor may read hundreds of admissions essays, so providing an interesting edge can help the counselor notice yours. Also among the essay writing college application tips is to add specific details about your opinions, stances, and aspirations. As the counselors begin to read hundreds of admissions essays, they look for potential students who have goals and dreams and aren’t afraid to express who they are. They are the makings of a good leader. One of the most important essay writing college application tips is that extreme thoughts on controversial topics don’t have a place in an admissions essay and can have a negative effect. Another important college application tip is to include some information about your personal interests – and give some detail about it. Don’t just say, “I like to play soccer.” Instead, say something like, “I played forward on my high school soccer team and hope to join your men’s varsity team so I can continue playing in college.”

The College Interview The Basics A college interview is a chance to show that you're more than just test scores and grades. And it’s an exchange of information — you learn about the college and the college learns about you. The interview is just one of many factors in the admission decision and it is rarely the deciding one. Still, if a borderline student turns out to be impressive, the interviewer has the authority to write a letter supporting admission. Why? Most colleges don't require an interview; however, there are many benefits to meeting face-to-face with an admission officer. Interviews give you the chance to: *Show that you are seriously interested in attending. *Convey what you can bring to a campus community. *Learn more about a college’s programs. *Explain variations in your record – for example, changes in your grades.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Be Your Own Best Advocate The officers learn about you from a group of documents: your transcript, test scores and application. While your essay and recommendations can offer an impression of who you are, words on paper can reveal only so much. The interview is your chance to be your own advocate by talking positively about your interests and enthusiasms, to show your personality, and to boost your chance of admission. Discuss Special Circumstances The interview is a good time to explain anything unusual in your transcript or discuss any personal circumstances that affected your studies. Any problems that you may find difficult to write about in the application are often easier to discuss with a sympathetic admission counselor. For example: *You may not be the best math student, but it never stopped you from taking AP®Calculus — tell the interviewer why you persisted despite such difficulties. *During sophomore year, your parents divorced and your academic work took a downturn. You have a learning disability and need to make an extra effort with every assignment. Making Your Interview a Positive Experience You can’t pass or fail, so don’t be nervous. As long as you've prepared and practiced, you can probably make a good impression. Here are some other tips: *Accept a college’s offer of an interview. *Be on time. *Go into the interview alone, without your parents. *Be polite to everyone you meet. *Act naturally. *Respond conversationally — don’t memorize a speech. *Use appropriate language and avoid slang. *Be confident but not arrogant. *Tell the truth. *Express interest in the college and its programs. *Ask questions not covered by the college catalog or website. *Avoid eating or drinking during the interview. *Dress neatly and cleanly; don’t wear T-shirts or other casual clothing. Be Sure To Ask Questions Asking questions shows that you're interested in the college and what the admission officer has to say. You should try to ask questions that indicate you’ve done some research about the college and know why you consider it a good fit for you. Also, asking questions can help you discover characteristics that colleges can't convey in a catalog.

RECRUITING PROCESS EXPLAINED

RECRUITING PROCESS EXPLAINED Understanding the College System NCAA The NCAA is an association made up of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organize the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States Canada. Every NCAA institution is a 4-year college. Currently, the organization adopts a three-division setup of Division I, Division II, and Division III. Under NCAA rules, Division I and Division II schools can offer scholarships to athletes playing a sport. Division III schools may not offer any athletic scholarships. Generally, larger schools compete in Division I and smaller schools in II and III. NAIA The NAIA is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA currently has 290 member institutions and it sponsors 23 national championships. Each NAIA institution is a 4year college. NJCAA The NJCAA is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions in three separate divisions. Each of these colleges is a 2-year institution. Differences Between Divisions Total Members

MSO Programs

WSO Programs

Men’s Scholarships

Women’s Scholarships

NCAA Div I

347

198

313

9.9

14.0

NCAA Div II

295

182

228

9.0

9.9

NCAA Div III

448

406

427

N/A

NAIA

290

218

219

12.0

NJCAA Div I

221

141

122

18.0

NJCAA Div III

N/A

RECRUITING PROCESS EXPLAINED Recruiting Facts and Myths Facts 1.2% of all Division I athletes receive a scholarship. •Scholarships are difficult to come-by. You have to work hard to earn your scholarship! 1.There is no such thing as a 4-year scholarship. •Scholarships can only be offered on a yearly basis and can be increased or decreased •Out of 350,000 high school boys’ players in 2010, 2,300 received a scholarship. 1.Out of 270,000 high school girls’ players in 2010, 3,900 received a scholarship. •Average scholarship amounts are $8,500 for boys and $8,400 for girls.

Myths

•Players just get recruited. •If you do not become active with your recruiting process, coaches will not know you exist. •Full-ride scholarships are common. •100% scholarships are available but limited. Typical scholarships can range from 50-90% of the costs. •Playing in showcases will solely get you recruited. •Showcases are a fantastic opportunity to showcase yourself in front of attending coaches. Make sure you email the coaches you want to watch you play before the tournament with your schedule and athlete profile •Parents should speak on behalf of the player. 1.College coaches prefer to speak with the players during the recruiting process. It gives them a better idea if the player has the right characteristics and mentality to join their program. •The standard of play after D1 is not competitive. 1.Many athletes and parents have the belief that anything below NCAA Division I is not a competitive standard. This couldn’t be further from the truth as many NCAA Division II and III and NAIA soccer programs as just as strong as Division I soccer programs. Make sure you consider all of your options when going through the recruiting process.

RECRUITING PROCESS EXPLAINED Communicating with College Coaches If there is one area of the college recruiting process that stands above the rest, it is the way prospects effectively communicate with college coaches. The majority of boys and girls in any given active recruiting pool will not be blue chip prospects and a reluctance to proactively communicate with college coaches will often result in an undertow that will likely drag a prospect and family backward in the college search. Below are simple tips to consider when making an introductory contact with college coaches. Define Yourself Before you take the plunge and either pickup the phone or email college coaches, it is important that you take the time to define who you are. This may appear on the outside to be a daunting task, but once you understand the importance of self-awareness in the college recruiting, the easier the process will be. First impressions are always remembered and you want to prepare best for the initial communication with the coaches. The simplest way to define you is by developing a personal profile or resume. Keep it to one page and clearly list your academic, athletic and personal accomplishments for the last 5 years. Know Yourself Now that you have defined yourself on paper, it is important to understand the information you are providing to coaches and make it an integral part of your communication process. There are three qualities that college coaches are looking for in a prospect: excellent students, strong characters who fit in with their current roster of players and tremendous athletes. When communicating with college coaches, it is important to showcase all three of these areas as qualities that you have! Initial Email Coaches receive hundreds of emails from prospects every week and they have their own filtering systems to root out prospects to place in their active recruiting database. The college search for athletes is extremely competitive and you will need to prepare your email communication carefully and with the intent to easily assist the college coach in making an initial evaluation. Your initial email should be created using the following rule of thumb: Keep it simple, short and informative. You don't have much time to make an impression, so make sure your effort counts. Let the coach know who you are, where you are from, what high school you attend and the year you will graduate. Let the coach know you are excited with the college search and that you have a definite interest in his or her program. Depending on the year you are currently in high school, it is worth letting the coach know you will follow-up this email with a phone call in the very near future. Phone Follow-Up Communicating with college coaches by email has a chance in being effective, but unless you are that blue chip player that many coaches are evaluating, you will need to roll your sleeves up and get busy. Remember, college coaches are receiving hundreds of emails and they simply do not have the time to respond to all of them. NCAA rules clearly restrict (most coaches) from initiating phone contact with prospects until June/July of any given year (See recruiting rules section). Although a coach cannot call a prospect before then, it does not mean a prospect can call the coach. You need to be well prepared for this conversation and make sure you have a list of topics that you want to discuss. Remember, college coaches are usually short on time so be prepared to only have 5-10 minutes to speak with the coach.

RECRUITING PROCESS EXPLAINED Frequency in Communication Whilst you need to keep the college coaches informed about your progress, there can be point where too much communication will start to push a coach in the opposite direction you are hoping to push them in. How frequently you communicate with the coaches also depends on what high school year you are in, the sport you play and the season you participate. Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the decision made by the coach to pursue a prospect. It can make or break a coaches decision to offer an athletic scholarship or to provide the extra “push” in the admissions process. If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Visits Once a recruit has made contact with a coach and hopefully developed a good relationship, the next form of contact is to visit the school and meet in person. Meeting the coach is huge for the recruit as it gives the coach a true chance to see the recruit’s personality for real. Just as with phone conversations, recruits should have a specific list of questions and topics prepared to talk about with a coach. Coaches are impressed when recruits prepare will for conversations, because it shows there is a high level of interest in their program. There are two types of visits – official and unofficial. Official visits are paid for by the university and will cover the cost of travel, room, board and entertainment costs for the duration of the visit. Official visits will only be offered to prospects who are top of a coaches recruiting list. Unofficial visits are the most common option for prospects and costs are the responsibility of the prospect and family. If you do visit a university, make sure you take the time to contact the coach and arrange a time to meet and speak with them.

RECRUITING PROCESS EXPLAINED

Questions to Ask a College Coach Whether you are speaking to a coach over the phone or during a visit, it is important to prepare some questions to ask the coach about the college and program. This shows your interest in joining the program and will provide you with a better idea of how/if you will into their program. •How many hours per week will your sport take up in-season? •How extensive is the off-season program? •Is there a J.V. or freshman team? •How many players does the team carry? •Is it possible to play two sports? •What are the practice, game and training facilities like for your sport? •How many players on the team receive full scholarships? Partial scholarships? •How many players walk on? •How does the coach expect the team to do in the next year or two? •What is the upcoming schedule like? •How many recent players are now playing professionally? •Who is ahead of you at your position? How good are they, and how many years do they have left? •How many players does the coach plan to bring in at your position? •What kind of system does the team run? Do you fit in? •How does the coach assess your ability? What will your role be, now and in the future? •Is red-shirting an option? •How likely are you to receive a scholarship offer? •What’s the general attitude and personality of the team? •What is the academic standing of the team (graduation rates? GPAs?) •Are tutors available for team members? •Do team members live together or with the general student population?

RECRUITING PROCESS EXPLAINED

College Camps When you are communicating with a college coach, you will likely be invited to one of their camps during the summer or winter. Whilst this does not likely mean the coach is heavily recruiting you, it is an opportunity to showcase yourself in front of that coach and other college coaches who are present at the camp. When considering which camp(s) to attend, there are a few areas you can research to make sure you are going to fully benefit from attending a particular camp. 1.Check with the coach hosting the camp which other college coaches will be present during the camp. If there is an opportunity to play in front of multiple college coaches who coach at a college that is high on your list, then that could be the right camp for you. •Ask the hosting coach whether there will be one coach taking them for the whole week or whether the college coaches will be rotating between different groups of players. •Ask if there will be opportunities to personally speak with college coaches during the camp. • If the hosting college is a college that is on your list, make sure you ask the coach how much assessing they do on players during the camp. A lot of college coaches will only recruit players from their college camps.

Showcase Events Attending college showcase tournaments is a must for any player that is serious about being recruited. Hundreds of college coaches attend the big tournaments so it is important that you are playing for a club that is participating in the bigger tournaments. There are also other showcase events where individual players will be invited to participate in a one or two day event and play in front of attending college coaches. If you are considering attending one of these events, make sure you again do your research and check with the event organizers how many college coaches they have confirmed as attending and which ones more specifically. Any opportunity to play in front of a college coach can only benefit your recruiting process.

ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS EXPLAINED

Differences in Scholarship Opportunities Athletic scholarships are just one of a number of different types of scholarships offered to fund a college education. The athletic scholarships are offered on an individual basis to students who are capable of competing in their sport at the college level. Each university/college in a division is allocated a maximum number of scholarships and in soccer these are; •NCAA Division I - Men - 9.9 - Women - 14 •NCAA Division II - Men - 9 - Women - 9.9 •NCAA Division III - No scholarships are offered •NAIA - Both men and women's soccer teams are allowed 12 scholarships •NJCAA Division I - Both men and women's soccer teams are allowed 18 scholarships •NJCAA Division III - No scholarships are offered

What does a Scholarship Cover? Athletic scholarships will help towards paying a number of college costs including tuition, room & board, school fees, books and insurance. Those student-athletes who have strong grades may also be able to receive academic aid offered by schools, and many college soccer coaches use this to create a scholarship package for their recruits. Athletic scholarships can only be offered for a 1-year period and there is no such thing as a 4-year scholarship. An athletic scholarship can be increased, decreased, remain the same after a college coach has reviewed each scholarship at the end of each year. If an athlete has broken any athletic program or university rules, there is the potential to lose all scholarships. For example, if an athlete does not achieve the required GPA for their academic year (as prescribed by NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA), the athlete could lose their academic and athletic scholarship.

Explanation of Academic Scholarships and Grants Academic scholarships and grants are two other ways of increasing your scholarship package from a university. Academic scholarships are based on your high school results and overall GPA as well as the scores you receive for the college tests you take (SAT/ACT/PSAT). So, a player who has a high-level GPA and very good test scores will likely be awarded extra academic scholarships that can make a big difference to your scholarship package. A coach is also going to be more attracted to a player if they can be awarded academic scholarship money due to a good academic record because that means that is additional money the coach does not have to use up from his or hers athletic scholarship budget. For example, if a player has a 3.6 GPA and 1200 SAT score, he or she could qualify for $10,000 in academic scholarship. That is $10,000 a coach does not have to take from his or hers athletic scholarship budget when determining a players scholarship package. In conclusion, work as hard as you can with your schoolwork to get the best grades possible!

ATHLETE RESOURCES

JOE BLOGGS #58 HOMETOWN: Bridgeview, IL DOB: DD/MM/YYYY HOME PHONE: XXX-XXX-XXXX HEIGHT: 5’ 8” Picture Here CELLPHONE: XXX-XXX-XXXX WEIGHT: 125 lbs EMAIL: joebloggs@gmail.com MAJOR INTEREST: Business ACADEMICS TEAMS HIGH SCHOOL: IllinoisHigh School HIGH SCHOOL : Varsity Team POSITION: Center Mid & Center Back GRAD YEAR: 2015 COACH: Joe Bloggs joebloggs@gmail.com GPA: Weighted 4.55; Unweighted 3.79 CLUB: FC Elite CLASS RANK: N/A for Sophomores POSITION: Center Mid & Center Back JERSEY #: 58 ACT/ SAT: N/A for Sophomores COACH: Joe Bloggs joebloggs@gmail.com AP CLASSES: AP Government, AP Microeconomics, AP Calculus BC, AP Language & Composition and AP US History ACTIVITIES/ INTERESTS ‘10 – Present: Certified Referee ‘12 – Present: J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation nominee ‘12 – Present: Orland Township Youth Commission ‘12 – Present: Junior Engineering Technology and Science Club

UPCOMING EVENTS Aug. 30 Celtic Cup Sept 2 2013

Aug. 23 Crew Cup Aug. 25 2013

Fall 2013 -

IState Cup

HIGH SCHOOLTEAM HONORS Freshmen – ’12: Varsity starter Sophmore – ’13: Varsity starter CLUB TEAM HONORS ‘10 Illinois State Cup Finalist ‘10-‘11 Team Captain ODP TEAM HONORS ’10 – ’11: -IL ODP ’97 State Team ’11 – ’12: -IL ODP ’97 State Team

EXAMPLE EMAIL TO A COLLEGE COACH

XX/XX/XX

Coach Davidson, My name is Eric Martin and I'm a junior at West Valley High School in Lagrange, Indiana. I am interested in attending Southern University because of your fine business management program as well as your soccer program. My sister, Janice Martin, is currently a junior there, so I have visited the school several times and have been able to see your team play three different times. Currently, I play for FC United Under-16 team out of Macon, Illinois. My club coach's name is Jason Leonard. His e-mail is: jleonard@aol.com and he can be reached at: 555-555-5555. Our team will be playing in the Disney Showcase from December 27-30 in Orlando, Florida, and will also be in Indiana on February 21-22 for the Winter Invitational. I can provide you with our game schedule when that information comes available. I have attached my soccer resume listing my GPA (3.2) and my other academic and athletic accomplishments. My home phone number is: 555-7775555 and my cell number is: 777-555-5555. My email is: emartin@aol.com. Best of luck in your current season. Sincerely, Eric Martin

EXAMPLE TOURNAMENT EMAIL TO A COLLEGE COACH

12/19/11 Hello Coach Smith, My name is Steven Reineke and I play for Alpharetta FC U17 Elite (number 4) and usually play center back. Our team is currently ranked 5th nationally after winning the Region III Premier League. This weekend we will be competing in the top bracket at the Disney Showcase. I would like for you to come watch me play. I'm a straight A student with a 4.0 GPA and in the top 10 of my class. At this point in time, SIT is one of my college choices and I would be interested in playing soccer there. Here is our game schedule for the tournament: 12/27 10:30 AM DWWS #03 12/28 8:30 AM DWWS #03 12/29 12:30 PM DWWS #03 Regards, Steven (Email) (Contact Number) Â

RESOURCES

Useful Links Scholar Athlete USA Website – www.scholarathleteusa.com Facebook – www.facebook.com/scholarathleteusa Twitter – www.twitter.com/scholarathleteusa1 You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnNgG0WrlWxqO-Nq5mu3ihg NCAA – www.ncaa.com NAIA – http://naia.cstv.com NJCAA – www.njcaa.org SAT – sat.collegeboard.com ACT – www.actstudent.org Princeton Review – www.princetonreview.com Top Drawer Soccer – www.topdrawersoccer.com