1. Academics
What do you want to do after College?  Make sure your athletic aspirations align with your eventual career and school choice. Ensure you choose a school you are happy with even without athletics. Injuries and other life events happen, so choose a school that meets your academic and career goals. Ensure you are enrolled in the correct classes. You will need the following number of initial-eligibility standards to be eligible:

  • NCAA Division I
  • NCAA Division II
  • NCAA Division III
  • NAIA
  • NJCAA

    • GPA and courses required will vary at each school, but the guidelines above are the minimum required to be an NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA collegiate athlete at each level.

    2. NCAA Eligibility Center
    You must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and get a clearinghouse ID. There is a fee ($70.00) to register.

    3. Standardized Testing
    Sign up/take the SAT and/or ACT.  You will not need these standardized tests to be a Division III athlete as there is no eligibility center for Division III; however, most schools will require an SAT and/or ACT score to be admitted.

    4. Research Your Schools of Interest
    Take time to research schools and put together a list of schools that interest you, take into account the following criteria:

    • Academic Interests (Major)
    • Location
    • Cost
    • Size
    • Athletic Interests (Soccer Program)

    5. School Database
    With your school list in-hand, go online and fill out the sports team’s questionnaire. This will put you in their database and you will now be on their radar.

    6. Create your Profile
    Create a soccer resume or profile and e-/mail the coaching staff.

    7. Further Communication with the Coaches
    Keep in contact with coaches through v/e-mails and phone calls.  Always send updated schedules of games throughout the year.  Keep your emails brief and to the point; include the following items especially in your early emails:

    • Name
    • Club Team
    • Uniform Number
    • Graduation Year
    • Position

    8. Attend College Showcases
    Make sure your club team is going to showcases you and your team cite and critical throughout the process. There are a number of good college showcases that you can attend.  Remember, always use high school and club coaches as references.

    9. ID Camps
    Once you have a list of schools, try and go to their ID or Prep Camps. This will give you a feel for the staff and campus. Also look to attend camps that have multiple college coaches working, so you give yourself the most exposure.

    10. Important Deadlines and Time Frames
    It is never too early to start your college search, but here are a couple of key time frames

    Email Contact:

    • Division I & Division II: Both divisions cannot contact you via email in a recruiting capacity until June 1 of your Junior Year, but both can email you camp information and a recruiting questionnaire.
    • Division III: Are permitted to contact you at any time via email.

    Phone Call Contact:

    • Division I: Not permitted to contact you via phone until July 1 after your Junior Year
    • Division II: Not permitted to contact you via phone until June 15 after your Junior Year (This is in the process of being changed to after your sophomore)
    • Division III: Can contact you via phone at anytime

    NCAA Eligibility Center: You must register with NCAA Eligibility Center before official visit

    Official Visit: September 1st of senior year or first day of classes is first opportunity to take official visit