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BECOMING
A PROSPECT AND THE EVALUATION
You will know you have become a college prospect when
a college sends you a letter of interest with a questionnaire. You may begin receiving these “recruiting” materials beginning September 1st of your junior year. However, the military academies can begin to send information earlier due to the lengthy admission requirements involved. According to NCAA terminology this does not mean you are a recruited athlete. The official recruiting period can not take place until July 1st after your junior year. Being
a prospect means that you have been identified as a player
of interest and they want to find out more about you.
1) Questionnaire:
Fill out the questionnaire and return
it promptly. Attach a personal letter and be sure to let the coach know if you have a high level of interest in their program. Not sure? Keep all your options open and answer all questions truthfully. If you are sure you will not qualify for financial aid ( many California homeowners have too much home equity to qualify) be honest and say no but do not give out any other financial information at this point. Not sure? Leave it open. Attach
your sports resume as well if you have not previously
sent one.
2) Transcripts:
Many colleges
will ask for a copy of your high school transcripts or
ask for permission to get them from your high school. If your grades are decent it is probably in your best interest to get a copy from the high school registrar. Keep a master copy and make copies of it to send to schools. It
will save the coach a lot of time and the less amount
of frustration for him/her the better.
3) Contact:
Now is the
time for you to contact the coaches. You can phone them but they can’t return your phone calls so keep trying. You can email them and this is a very efficient way to stay in contact. Hint: Do a little homework and know something current that’s going on with the program. In May of your junior year a coach may call one time. Consider
this a good omen and start putting your choices in priority.
4) Player Evaluation:
The coach
will want to come and see you play if possible. You should be letting them know where they can see you play in the fall and summer. You
may want to send them a schedule of the events you will
be playing in.
5) Unofficial Visits:
You may be invited to visit the school
for an unofficial visit meaning it is on your dime. This can be expensive traveling back East and if funds are an issue, be upfront and let them know it’s a hardship for you in terms of time and money but continue to express a strong interest. You can find out when the school’s representatives are visiting your school and make sure you attend those presentations and establish a relationship with the visiting spokesperson. If getting back east is an issue, communicate with the coach about putting it off until “official” visits are allowed in your senior year. If you can make the trip in your junior year be sure to let the coach know when you are coming. You will want to get a look around and talk to the players about the school and the program. Do they like the school and would they like it if they couldn’t play lacrosse? Do the kids seem happy and is there a good vibe? If possible, talk to the kids who don’t
play and ask them what their experience is like.
6) SAT
Scores:
You should be taking the SAT’s at some point during your junior year and will need to send the scores to the colleges you are corresponding with. Some
schools may require further tests as well so do your
homework and talk with admissions.
7) Register
with the NCAA clearinghouse:
You must clear your academic eligibility
with the NCAA clearinghouse to be able to participate
in a DI or DII program. Go to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net for
instructions.
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