Secure an Athletic Scholarship to a US School

If you’re looking to join a college athletic team, you should consider a few things before setting your heart on a school. First, you should know about the division level of your hopeful school. There are three different divisions in the National Collegiate Athletic Association or the NCAA: I, II, and III. Division I is the most prestigious of the three, and most of the students recruited for these schools are given a complete scholarship to attend, though some receive a partial scholarship. Division II schools often have fewer sports and fewer scholarships, mostly partial coverage for the costs of schooling. Both Division I and II schools require the athletes to take the SAT. Division III is the largest division, with the highest number of participants. These schools often offer a partial scholarship to athletes and do not require the SAT.

Students should also consider how to gauge their own talents, and put them in the context of a sports league that recruits from around the world. Most students want to join a Division I school, but that is not always possible. To be recruited for a Division I school, you should play on a national junior team, have represented your country at the Olympics, and won major tournaments on national or international levels. You should also have diplomas, official statistics (click here to see an example of a Division I student’s statistics), coach recommendations, and recorded videos of your athletic abilities to substantiate your awards. It is important to remember that you will be competing with students from across the globe who want very badly to compete in a Division I school. Remember to reasonably and responsibly measure your skills in context. 

Finally, consider the recruitment process. International students coming to the United States might not be aware of the importance of college sports. Unlike any other part of the world, most universities and colleges in the United States have been in their cities for generations. It is exciting to play at a school where you have thousands of people cheering you on and coming to your games on the weekends. If you are thinking of starting your college journey in the States and want to continue playing the sport that you love, make sure you read everything about the recruitment process.

Recruitment Process 

College athletes must go through a recruitment process in order to be selected by a college or university and play for the NCAA regardless of the division they choose to play. The recruitment process for a foreign player is basically the same as recruiting an athlete from within the United States.

Introduction Letter

The initial step is sending a brief letter of introduction via email to the head coach that clearly highlights your athletic achievements and future potential. In the athletics section of each college or university’s website, you can select your sport’s page where you will be able to find the coaching staff’s contact information. Try to include as much information as you can about yourself and your athletic careers to date, such as awards, stats, and any attributes that would make you a good fit for that school.

After coaches receive the letter of introduction, they will watch videos of the potential student-athlete. The students usually submit videos on YouTube highlighting their skills. It is important to keep in mind that coaches receive interest from dozens of young aspiring Olympians each season. Therefore, it is crucial to be extremely eager and on top of things. You are probably wondering when is a good time to send out the email? There is no exact time to contact your coach but the general rule is the earlier the better. Typically by your junior year of high school, you should be thinking about which schools you would like to get in contact with.

Official and Unofficial Visits

During your recruitment process, you will have the opportunity to visit the school. There are two types of visits: official and unofficial. During your official visit, the school will cover all of your expenses. This includes transportation to the college, meals, and any type of activities with the team. Official visits can last no more than 48 hours. During the unofficial visit, the university does not pay the costs.

One of the great benefits of school visits is that you have the opportunity to interact with future teammates, ask them questions, and hear their experiences. Future teammates along with the coaching staff will show you the school, athletic facilities, locker room, and any place you would like to see. You will also have the opportunity to attend classes!  

Summer Camps

A great opportunity to demonstrate your athletic abilities to your coaches is attending summer camps organized by the school. Some summer camps are open while others require an invitation. While summer camps are organized to raise money for the respective athletic program, they are also used by coaches to evaluate prospective recruits. This is a great way to start making connections and get to know the school better.

SAT and TOEFL Requirements

One of the advantages of being an athlete is that you will be in contact with the coaches of your sport. They will help you through the admissions process and will be available to answer any questions you might have. However, it is essential to know that even though having a great relationship with the coaching staff will be helpful throughout the admissions process, it will not be enough if you don’t produce the required SAT and TOEFL (only for international students) scores.

Scholarships

During back and forth conversations with the coaching staff, coaches will let you know about the scholarships available in their program. They will eventually extend a scholarship offer. Depending on the sport, the school’s budget, level, and position, you will receive a partial or full scholarship.

National Letter of Intent

The last step in the recruiting process is signing the National Letter of Intent. This letter says that you will enroll at a specific school for the next academic year in exchange for athletic aid. Along with this letter, you will have to sign the scholarship letter.  

That’s all for now! Once you are accepted into the school, you will quickly appreciate the high level of organization, funding, and facilities available to you. You can look forward to receiving encouragement, loyalty, and passion from everyone you meet, not just on campus, but all over the city!