By Andrea Emmons
As a high school student–athlete you are probably beginning to feel that finding the right college/university brings a range of choices to consider. So much of the recruiting process involves narrowing down those choices and deciding between several seemingly good options. There are many things that may flag a college or university as one of interest for you, such as quality of education, location, cost, and your relationship with the coach. To help narrow down your decision, we recommend you keep a list of colleges/universities that you are in communication with on a daily basis, and also make a list of pros and cons for each institution and review the factors below.
It is important to choose your college or university for education above all else. After all, that is the reason you are attending in the first place! Ask yourself if you would attend this college/university even if you were not an athlete. What happens if you get injured and are not able to continue your sport? What do you want out of your college experience? Be sure that the college/university has your primary and a secondary major, if you have identified one. Many college students change their mind about majors, so always have a second option. Consider whether the college/university will meet your academic needs after college. Will you be successful in finding a career path after earning your degree?
The athletic component is one that is unique to you as a student-athlete. Most people would never have to think about college the way you do. What exactly do you want to gain from college athletics? Are you looking for a relaxed atmosphere or are you highly competitive? What levels of athletic competition will be the right fit for you? Always consult your coaches for advice. You do not want to spend all of your time chasing colleges/universities that are not a good athletic fit. After determining colleges/universities of interest, you should research each volleyball program. Ask questions such as, where did the team finish in the conference last year?
What is the coach like and how does he/she interact with the players on the team? Is this a place with a lot of team spirit? Never choose a college based on the coach. Coaches switch positions and should not be the main reason for you to attend the college. Talk to current and former athletes about their experiences. What are the facilities like? What will the travel time be like as a student-athlete on the volleyball team? Will the travel time interfere or hinder your academic component? Are you going to get playing time as a freshman?
When deciding which college/university is best for you, location should not be a final factor. Making a decision based on how far or close the campus is generally has little effect on your college experience. There are really two things that affect location.
First, whether you are a half an hour away from home or far away, you are going to miss home. You have spent your whole life there up until this point! It will be a little hard to adjust, but as you make friends and experience new things, you are going to love it! As an athlete, you have a huge advantage. You automatically have a team of friends the first day of practice. Many times students like the sound of a college/university, but are turned off if they find the college is in a rural area or in a large city. Is a rural or urban environment more comfortable?
Second, climate is something to consider. What climate are you currently living in? Have you experienced anything else? Do you know what it’s like in other climates to judge? The climate can make a difference to your attitude and mood, and it can also provide you with a brand new experience in life. Visit other geographic regions if you think you’d like something different. Try stepping out of your comfort zone, but be realistic about what is going to make you happy.
Now that you have decided on location, there are some more specifics that you should narrow down. Do you want to attend a small or large school? Going from a small to large school is frightening to many students. Sometimes people are also uncomfortable going from a large high school to a small college. If you are not sure how you might react, visit some college campuses and sit in on some classes. 78.9% of schools are less than 5,000 students according to schoolguides.com. Would you be better suited for a smaller class size where the professor knows you by name? Is it important for you to feel “at home” on campus? What are the living conditions like? Do people stay on campus over the weekend or go home?
Finally, expenses are important. If you are a scholarship candidate, can your family pay if your scholarship does not cover all expense? Has the coach offered you a scholarship? What happens if they don’t? Always consider other types of financial aid aside from athletic scholarship as well. Find out is the college/university offers academic aid or merit scholarships that you might qualify for. Do not discount a Division III college/university because of the cost. Many Division III colleges/universities are able to come up with outstanding financial aid packages for the right candidates. Compare each college/university and what your out of pocket expense will be at each. Always look into all options.
After examining each factor, you should be ready to make an educated decision about your collegiate future. Feel free to contact an NCSA Recruiting Coach to talk through all your considerations.
