By Andrea Emmons
2008 graduates are getting antsy in the recruiting process right now if they aren’t signed; and rightly so! One option that not enough student-athletes consider is the Junior College. It’s not just an out for those with low grades or test scores. I actually attended a Junior College for my first two years of play. I cannot say enough about the positive experiences and development I gained during my two years at a JUCO. I was able to start right away, attend NJCAA Nationals, and go on to earn a scholarship at a four year school. In addition to all that, I developed as a player and a person. I would not have been as successful had I went straight to a four year school. There are so many benefits to this option. I strongly recommend considering the junior college option if you fit into any of the categories below…
The Under-developed Player: Many girls start their volleyball training really early these days. I know some of my teammates in club and high school had been playing club since 4th grade. I was a different story. I was turned on to volleyball in eighth grade and had no idea the club circuit even existed. By the time I found out, I was already a sophomore in high school. I picked the game up quick, but still needed a lot of work going into college. Other girls may have some technical issues that need to be corrected. A Junior college is able to develop players during their freshman & sophomore years by getting you actual playing time, not just practice. You are in competition with other girls your age, not college juniors and seniors. Junior College’s are more likely to take an athletic player who needs some work.
The Under-recruited Player: There are several reasons why a player might be under-recruited. Anyone who goes to a small school, lives in a remote area, is undersized, or got started late might be under recruited. One of the benefits of a junior college is that their recruiting timeline is much later than other schools. They can accept admission to a school up until the first day of classes. They also generally have roster openings very late, compared to all other schools. If you were overlooked by other schools, this could be a good place for you to start and make a name for yourself.
The Player who doesn’t want to leave home: As an 18 year old, many of us were/are a little timid to go far from home. Whether it’s leaving the security of our parents, your friends, or just home in general – it’s a tough step. More often than not, you can find a local or in-state junior college to spend those first two years to gain confidence. This will allow you to assert your independence, while still feeling the security of being close to home. The changes you make from 18-20 years old are huge. Hopefully by the end of that time you will be ready to spread your wings and get out of the nest. Consider a JUCO if you need a little handholding.
The player who needs academic assistance: Contrary to popular belief, I am not going to tell you that you should attend a junior college only if you are ineligible academically for a DI or DII school. I hear over and over again from JUCO coaches that they are looking for strong students, not the 1 point something GPA’s out of high school. While a junior college will take students who may have trouble with standardized tests (therefore making them ineligible), they still want a strong or at least decent GPA. More importantly, a junior college helps you get on your feet as a collegiate athlete. The academics are not quite as challenging and allow you to develop good study habits during your first two years. It also allows you to get all of your core courses out of the way, then focus on your major during Junior and Senior year.
The player who needs financial assistance: A HUGE benefit of Junior Colleges is that many are well funded in regards to scholarships. A full-ride to a JUCO is pretty common (tuition and books at least), so it can be a great way to get your schooling paid for vs. walking on to another program and trying to earn one. Even without scholarship a junior college is incredibly affordable. Bottom line, some kids are just not ready to go to college after high school. Maybe they are only interested in their sport, or haven’t been great students. A junior college is a good way to “test the waters” before shelling out the big bucks for a four year school.
As you can tell, I am a fan of the junior college option for athletes. A junior college was the perfect fit for me because I fell into most of the categories above, but it’s not for everyone. If you match one or several of the groups above, this is a great option to get you on your way. Consider junior college as your stepping stone or springboard to a four year college.
