Diablo FC College Preparation Guide
NCAA Freshman Eligibility Standards

The Myth vs. The Reality

One of the more critical steps in the college selection process for student-athletes, their coach and guidance counselor is the elimination process. The majority of students and parents believe talented high school athletes are actively recruited and offered "full-ride" sports scholarships by Division I college coaches. The reality is that only 2% of athletes are "actively recruited" by leading college coaches, leaving the remaining 98% to "recruit themselves" through self-directed efforts.

In high school, students should have a clear and concise direction for selecting a college or university program that fits their needs and then demonstrate their willingness to improve their technique and soccer acumen to achieve results. Do you have a clear and concise direction for your college future?

Getting noticed by college and university coaches must start early and be maintained if a student-athlete is serious about applying their academic and athletic accomplishment to receive scholarships and be selected to play at the collegiate level.

If the student-athlete has not communicated their interest to a variety of programs or has made little-to-no contact with college coaches and admission officers, they will need to work harder. By sizing up strengths and weaknesses, students will have a clear direction for improving their academic and athletic needs to compete at the collegiate level successfully.

Preparation

Sophomore Year

• Review academic plan for sophomore year (and beyond) to ensure you are taking appropriate classes for acceptance to colleges you are targeting
• Consider taking the PSAT test in October

Junior Year

• Review academic plan for junior year to verify you are taking correct courses for college acceptance
• Take PSAT test in October
• Develop more selective college contact list
• Begin writing to colleges & coaches
• Explore opportunities for college/high school joint enrollment credit
• Visit College Nights and College Fairs
• Verify SAT registration deadlines
• Get Letters of Recommendation and references
• Organize your personal portfolio
• Visit local colleges of different types and sizes
• Explore possibility of enrolling in AP courses during senior year for college credit
• Take SAT and ACT tests
• Develop your preferred college list
• Review admission applications questions and concerns with counselors

Senior Year

• Finalize application essay topics
• Request referrals from teachers and coaches (club and school)
• Review application essays with teachers- parents for suggestions & proofing
• Get tax records to prepare financial aid forms and FAFSA
• Obtain and file financial aid forms ASAP after Jan. 1
• Make sure all college applications have been sent by appropriate deadlines (varies by school so always check!)
• Parent/student meeting with counselor to verify all transcript verification is complete
• Re-take SAT & ACT tests, if necessary
• Complete FAFSA form on line (deadlines vary per state but California is generally about March 1)
• Review acceptances and offers - choose college you wish to attend
• If put on waiting list, contact college admissions officer and guidance counselor
• Maintain good grades during your senior year. All college acceptances are dependent on maintaining academic standing during senior year. Don`t be disappointed because you slacked off
• Submit necessary deposits to college chosen
• Notify college and coach you have chosen to attend
• Notify colleges and coaches applied to but not attending (never burn your bridges)
• Notify counselor of final choice. Have final grades, proof of graduation, etc. sent to your college

What You Need To Do…

Make a list of at least 10 colleges (ranging from Division 1 to Division 3 to NAIA)
Find the contact information and research each college and coach

• Complete your player profile
• Mail player profile packets to coaches and follow up with e-mails and phone calls, expressing your interest in their school
• Update coaches through e-mails and phone calls about upcoming tournaments and games

College Preparation Resources