College Soccer

• You, as a prospective student-athlete, can communicate at any time.
• College coaches, depending on division, grade of prospective student athlete, time of year, MAY or MAY NOT be able to communicate or respond.
• College coaches respond differently, and again, depending on the time of year, communication could take months. College coaches are getting anywhere from 10-100 recruiting e-mails a day. It may take some time to hear a response.
• Make sure you proofread your emails, are personal, and pay attention. It is easy for a coach to turn you away if you show a lack of interest.
• College coaches want to hear from the student athletes they will be coaching, not the parents. Parents can help, but it is critical that the athlete shows commitment to being a student-athlete.
• Don’t get discouraged or panic if things aren’t going how you want. There is a program and school out there for everyone. Be patient and ensure you do everything you can to make a positive effort and impression.

• Climate – What kind of weather do you like?
• Population – Large school, smaller, in between?
• Location – Regional? Driving distance from home? City? Near the beach or a body of water? Near mountains?
• Cost – A factor for everyone. Include cost of traveling to and from home. Is financial aid an option? What kind?
• Academics – Is the degree you want offered at the school? Do you have the grades and test scores to get admitted? Can you be successful once you get there? What kind of academic support is offered? What are your chances of securing a job after graduation?
• Athletically – Have you communicated with coaches? Have they indicated any kind of interest? Is there a need for your position? What role on the field do you need – a roster spot? Playing time as a freshman? Environment to become a pro?
• Visit – Every campus has its own unique characteristics that may not come across on a virtual tour, website, or word of mouth. Take notes after each visit, list the pros and cons, and compare each school.

Separations of Divisions are determined by number of scholarships offered, number of sports offered, recruiting rules among other characteristics.

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Enrollment does not determine level of competition.

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On the whole, DIII schools tend to be high achieving academic schools, however these types of schools can also be found at all levels and are not exclusive to DIII.

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In some sports (like wrestling), the various levels can compete against each other with varying results (both in season and as exhibitions).

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NAIA is a separate governing body with different eligibility and recruiting rules.

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Junior College is usually for 2 years, can be very competitive and provide athletic development, be academically challenging, be socially fulfilling, cost less and lead to an opportunity to successfully transfer to a 4 year school.