By Andrea Emmons
Contributions by Marc Coburn
College is not a four year decision, but rather a 40 year decision that will guide you through the rest of your life. The college search can be daunting for any high school student, but college bound athletes are faced with a unique set of challenges. Student-athletes must seek out a college or university that is the right fit from an academic and athletic perspective. There are many factors to consider when evaluating collegiate options.
The most important factor of any college decision is academics. Student-athletes must find a college or university that best matches their academic abilities and goals. College websites, the Princeton Review, CollegeBoard and the NCSA Power Rankings are all great recourses to access information about the academic standards and curriculums at institutions.
Size must also be taken into consideration when researching colleges and universities. Class sizes can range from a few hundred to several thousand students. Often, smaller colleges offer a more intimate classroom setting and a lower teacher-to-student ratio. Classes at larger universities are frequently taught in a larger lecture style. Student-athletes should visit as many campuses as possible to gain perspective for what type of environment they prefer.
Most student-athletes communicate frequently with college coaches during the recruiting process. Prospects rarely choose a university where they do not mesh with the coaching staff. While a coach should never be the number one factor in a collegiate decision, it is important to ask questions and make sure that the relationship is a comfortable one. Once a student-athlete steps foot on campus they may interact with their coach on a daily basis for four years.
Every collegiate track program is unique and there are vast differences between the times, heights and distances in each division. In order to understand what type of program you might qualify for, compare your current personal bests with the NCSA Recruiting Guidelines and the stats listed on college websites. Doing your due diligence will allow you to narrow in on and pursue a group of colleges and universities that might be the perfect match for you.
