Most prospective student-athletes will receive some contact from colleges/universities, in the form of general admissions information, questionnaires, and/or emails from college coaches. If you are receiving similar information, you may have mixed feelings about the colleges you are hearing from. Many student-athletes make the mistake of disregarding correspondence from colleges and coaches they are not initially interested in. In reality, no college contact should be neglected! The following is a list of reasons why you should respond to EVERYONE:
- If you are receiving general admissions information, especially if you are an underclassman – respond anyway! A lot of coaches put underclassmen’s names on admissions lists to see if they will respond.
- If you do not respond to a coach, or return their questionnaire, they will stop recruiting you.
- Your opinion may change. Once you research a college and talk to a coach, you are bound to learn something new. You never know which college or program might be the perfect fit for you.
- The more coaches you communicate with, the more familiar you will become with the types of questions college coaches ask. This practice will prepare you for email exchanges and conversation with coaches at your favorite colleges/universities.
- By investigating many different types of colleges, you will have a better idea of your likes and dislikes in a college/university.
- College coaches change jobs! You might ignore a coach because you are not interested their program, only to have them get hired at one of your top choices.
- College coaches are friends with one another, and they do not appreciate it when a student-athlete ignores a contact. You never want to give anyone something bad to say about you!
- It is just common courtesy. If a coach takes the time to send you some information, you owe them a response.
- Responding to a college coach will demonstrate that you are mature and responsible. For example, most of the information asked on the questionnaire is to test your responsibility and ability to follow directions, and to see if you are interested in the college/university.
Remember, it will only take a little bit of your time, and will definitely be worth it if you are keeping in touch with every college/university that you hear from. Who knows – it may even be the one you decide upon!
