Overall, it was extremely helpful to have a knowledgeable person guide us through this potentially stressful time. Thank you Sue!
Lauren C. – Mother of University of California Berkeley StudentJUNIOR YEAR CHECKLIST FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
I know. Junior year in high school can be a grind – with the PSAT test in October, the SAT or ACT after that, AP exams and the SAT subject tests in the spring, not to mention tough academic loads and endless extracurricular activities. It’s enough to make one’s head spin! For student-athletes it’s even more critical to stay organized as the junior year is the most important year in terms of the college athletic recruiting process. This is the year that college coaches seriously begin to evaluate performance and results and start to think about their recruiting classes. Plus, the NCAA has very specific rules concerning what is and isn’t permissible in terms of contact with coaches. Students really need to know these rules before they engage in any form of contact with college athletic staff members.
It’s been my experience that those student-athletes who plan ahead, develop a strategy, and create a timeline have realized the most successful outcomes in terms of college athletic placement. Since most high school students have comfortably been back in school for over a month now, I thought it would be timely to present an overview in the form of a “To Do list” for college-bound juniors who are planning to continue playing sports in college. I have included a senior year list as well for those students who are uber-organized and are interested in seeing the whole picture!
Junior Year:
- Send college coaches your athletic resume, results, and highlight video if you have not already done so.
- If your grades are not up to par consider getting assistance either through your teachers at school or with an outside tutor. Take the PSAT. Begin studying for the SAT or ACT exam with the goal of taking the test in the winter or early spring. (students who feel that they are not ready or have not prepared sufficiently should wait until May or June dates). Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (only required of Division I and II student-athletes). Test scores must be reported directly to the Eligibility Center.
- Written communication by college coaches is permitted during the junior year. Coaches are still not allowed to return phone calls but they can return emails.
- You can take unofficial visits to schools which means you and your family must pay the expenses. Contact college coaches prior to these visits and let them know of your plans as NCAA rules allow you to speak with the coach as long as you are on campus. You are allowed to take unlimited unofficial visits.
- At the end of your junior year – after your second semester grades are finalized – remind your high school counselor to send a copy of your transcript to the Eligibility Center.
Summer after Junior Year:
- In July, after completing your junior year, college coaches can begin calling you. The timelines vary by sport and NCAA division but in general coaches are allowed to call once per week.
- College coaches are permitted 3 in-person, off campus contacts per prospect starting July 1 after your junior year.
- College coaches can make athletic scholarship offers at this point.
Senior Year:
- If you are being seriously recruited by a school, the coach will invite you to make an official visit (where the school picks up the tab). You are permitted to take 5 such visits beginning the first day of your senior year. Don’t despair if you don’t receive offers for official visits. Many non-revenue sports do not have the budget for this.
- Remember that a verbal scholarship offer is not binding until a National Letter of Intent (NLI) and offer of Financial Aid is signed by the recruit. The signing dates vary by sport with the earliest signing period beginning in November of the senior year. Do not sign a NLI prior to the first allowable date as listed on the NLI website.
- Keep your senior year grades up. Although you have signed an agreement with a school via the NLI, the document is no longer binding if you fail to graduate from high school, maintain academic eligibility as mandated by the NCAA, and/or be admitted to the college.
- Remind your high school counselor to send your final transcript to the Eligibility Center. You will not be allowed to participate in college athletics if you have not been cleared by the Eligibility Center.