Summer College Recruiting Checklist for Student-Athletes

Impact of Coronavirus on College Recruiting: The NCAA recruiting rules are now different for each division level. NCAA D1 will return to normal recruiting rules on June 1, 2021. As of September 1, 2020, NCAA D2 and D3 have already resumed the regular recruiting rules. Stay on top of the latest news involving the extra year of eligibility for college athletes and how it impacts recruiting. See our full coronavirus resources section.

School may be out for summer, but student-athletes shouldn’t take a vacation from the athletic recruiting process altogether. In fact, the summer months provide a great opportunity for student-athletes to focus their attention on developing athletically and managing their recruiting, even if it is just for a few hours a week.

This summer is going to look a little different for incoming high-school student-athletes. With many club teams and recruiting events like camps, combines, tournaments and showcases suspending or postponing their schedules, it can be more difficult than ever to stay on track and keep busy over the next few months. That’s why we created a guide that lets you know exactly what steps to take to maximize your recruiting opportunities before school starts again in the fall—and don’t worry, we built in some time to relax and recharge, too!

No matter where you are in the process—gearing up for your first year of high school, getting ready to tackle your senior year, or somewhere in between—check out our summer recruiting checklists below to make the most of your summer. 

Click on the recruiting checklist for your grade year below to stay on top of managing your athletic recruiting process.

Summer Recruiting Checklist for Incoming Freshmen

Download your Freshman Year Summer Recruiting Checklist here.

June

• Commit to your sport. Before you start the recruiting process, think about if you are ready to make the commitment to competing at the college level. Check out the key differences between high school and college sports and make sure you’re ready to balance being a student and an athlete.
• Start building your NCSA profile. It’s never too early to get on college coaches’ radars. Once you create your NCSA profile, make sure you are regularly updating it, so coaches only see your most current athletic and academic stats, achievements and more. Consider it your athletic recruiting resume.
• Explore the NCSA Power Rankings. Student-athletes should cast a wide net when searching for and narrowing down a list of potential schools. If you’re not sure where to start, check out NCSA’s best colleges for student-athletes.

July

• See how you measure up. Even though you still have some time to develop your physical and athletic measurables, it’s never too early to start exploring college rosters.
• Specialize in one sport or more? No matter what sport—or how many—you’re a part of, NCSA can help you throughout the recruiting process as you specialize in one sport or concentrate on being a multisport athlete. There’s no right or wrong answer; it’s up to you to determine the best route to take (but we’re happy to help!)
• Evaluate if club sports are right for you. Club sports are becoming more popular in the recruiting process—but do you have to play club sports to get recruited? We break down what it means to be on a club team, and the benefits of playing both high school and club sports. 

August

• Don’t overlook your location preferences. Are you from a recruiting hotbed for your sport? Do you live in a large city or a small town? What are the most popular states that athletes choose to go to college? Even though much of the recruiting process happens online, geographic location still plays a big role.

• Take some time off. Make sure you build in some time to rest up and recharge before your freshman year of high school officially begins, especially if you are starting your season in the fall.

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Summer Recruiting Checklist for Incoming Sophomores

Download your Sophomore Year Summer Recruiting Checklist here.

June

• Take advantage of your free time. As the end of the school year approaches, make the most of it—but dedicate a few hours a week to managing your recruiting. College coaches are still evaluating athletes during the summer months!
• Prepare for college camps and recruiting events. With in-person recruiting suspended for all NCAA D1 sports through at least January 1, 2021, recruiting events may be canceled or postponed throughout the summer. Depending on where you live, some camps may still be taking place while enforcing social distancing guidelines, while others may be offering virtual training opportunities.

July

• Create and stick to a summer training schedule. After a period of recovery from your regular seasonal training or workouts, create a summer training plan to stay in shape and boost your athletic performance for your upcoming season.
• Update your NCSA profile. Make sure your athletic and academic stats are current, update your contact information and add any new coach references so you’re prepared come fall.
• Fill out recruiting questionnaires. Whether you receive a request directly from the coach or track down recruiting questionnaires for your top schools on your own, this is an important first step to get on a coach’s radar and receive more information about an athletics program.
• Build your target list of colleges. Before school starts up again, revisit your NCSA Favorites, explore your Top Matches and see what’s new on your Coach Activity Report. If your preferences have changed, let us know so we can continue to provide you with the best college options!

August

• Discover your “athlete type”. Procrastinating on your summer reading lists? We’re here to help. In between chapters (or books) take some time to learn about the eight different types of athletes. Then, take the TAP Assessment to discover yours.
• Rest and recharge. As summer winds down, don’t forget to give yourself a break before school starts up again. You’ll come back as a better student-athlete!

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Summer Recruiting Checklist for Incoming Juniors

Download your Junior Year Summer Recruiting Checklist here.

June

• Find last-minute camp opportunities. With in-person recruiting suspended for all NCAA D1 sports through at least January 1, 2021, recruiting events may be canceled or postponed throughout the summer. Depending on where you live, some local camps may still be taking place while enforcing social distancing guidelines, while others may be offering virtual training opportunities.

• Show coaches your character and coachability. By now, you should know the basics of building relationships with college coaches. Make sure you are prepared to reach out to and follow up with college coaches—the majority of D1 and D2 programs will be able to reach out to recruits directly starting this summer.
• Keep track of important dates. As you approach the start of your junior year, make sure you have a good understanding of the NCAA recruiting rules and D1 and D2 recruiting calendars.

June 15

• Coach communication kicks off—for most D1 sports. This is the first time D1 college coaches can communicate privately with recruits via email, phone calls and texts, and social DMs. Some sports—like football, baseball, softball, lacrosse and women’s basketball—will have to wait until September 1.

July

• Take a virtual college tour. The best way to narrow down your preferences and figure out what you want your college experience to be like is by checking out a college campus—and it’s easy to do online!
• Regularly update your NCSA profile. Make sure your contact information, athletic stats and academic stats are up-to-date and add any new coach references. That way, college coaches will see your best—and most recent—accomplishments.
• Keep track of your coach activity. NCSA’s Coach Activity Report shows you coaches and programs who are searching for athletes like you, viewing or following your profile, and opening your email messages—and when they’re doing it, so you can follow up ASAP.  Plus, you can see your match percentage for each school along with your next action steps.

August

• Create a list of upcoming expenses. Whether it’s ACT/SAT testing, sending your test scores to the NCAA, or travel and accommodations for unofficial visits, start planning for these costs now. Looking to make the most of your budget? Check out our money-saving tips for unofficial visits and fee waivers for the ACT and SAT tests. 
• Take a break. Make sure you take some time to rest and recharge before the new school year begins. You’ll come back to school ready to take on your sport, studies and recruiting!

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Summer Recruiting Checklist for Incoming Seniors

Download your Senior Year Summer Recruiting Checklist here.

June

• Manage your recruiting. Make the most of your free time this summer by managing your recruiting. It only takes a few hours a week, and you’ll thank yourself later for not waiting until school starts again in the fall.
• Sign up for a recruiting event. With in-person recruiting suspended for all NCAA D1 sports through at least January 1, 2021, recruiting events may be canceled or postponed throughout the summer. Depending on where you live, some local camps may still be taking place while enforcing social distancing guidelines, while others may be offering virtual training opportunities.

July

• Stay on top of the application process. There’s going to be a lot of deadlines and due dates to keep track of these next few months. Don’t forget to write down important dates and check in regularly to ensure that you never miss an opportunity because you forgot about a deadline. 
• Brainstorm your college essay. If you start thinking of ideas now, you’ll be better prepared to write (and rewrite!) one of the most important parts of your college applications. A good essay will demonstrate your best qualities and your character to college coaches and admissions officers.

August

• Make a budget. Applying to college isn’t just stressful—it’s expensive, too. Make sure you’re applying to your top target, safety and dream schools and see if you qualify for fee waivers or reduced fees to cut down costs.
• Act quickly. Whether you’re just getting started with the recruiting process or you haven’t received as much interest from college coaches as you would like, don’t stress—it’s never too late to get recruited. Check out all your options—roster spots are still open at every college division level.
• Rest up. Don’t forget to let yourself relax and recharge before school starts up again. Taking a quick break now will help you juggle your final year of being a high-school student-athlete!

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