It’s who you know!

The more people who know you’re interested in an athletic scholarship, the more likely you are to get one. Your father’s friend’s uncle just might be a coach who is looking for someone just like you! If you’re out to get a scholarship, this is NOT the time to be shy. Let everyone know WHAT you want (an athletic scholarship) and WHY you should get it (because you have the right skills and the dedication to make good use of it).

Let your coach know you’re interested in going to college. Recruiters often contact high school coaches to see if there’s anyone on the team with the skills they’re looking for. If your coach doesn’t know you want to go to college, your name probably won’t come up in the conversation.

Athletic skills are important to recruiters, but other factors also play a part in the selection process. Your present abilities may make you the star of your team, but recruiters also need to know that you have the determination necessary to develop your skills beyond the high school level. A pretty good, all-around athlete who works hard might be selected over a star player for whom the game comes easily.

Show them your best side!

College recruiters look for good coordination, strength and skills specific to individual sports and positions. Find out from your coach (and do some research on your own) precisely what abilities recruiters are looking for. If you shine in all of these areas, GREAT! If you just stand out in a couple of categories, develop your strengths and play down your weaknesses. For example, if you send in a video, make sure your strengths are highlighted – minimize your weaknesses or simply don’t show them.

Successful athletes can be a school’s greatest asset – or their greatest liability! Recruiters DO have an interest in what you’re up to when you’re not competing. Even once you’ve been signed, don’t think you’re off the hook. If you’re involved in something that could damage the college’s reputation – drugs, alcohol, violence – your scholarship can, and probably will, be revoked.

Your skills, your potential, your character – all of it is part of the package you’re trying to exchange for a valuable education. There are far more high school athletes than there are athletic scholarships available, and recruiters have a lot of information to sift through on a lot of different players, Make it easy for them to access information about you. Recruiters can start contacting athletes after the last game of the season of the athlete’s junior year – BE READY!