Is your goal to play a sport in college?
We encourage all of our MDHS student athletes with aspirations of playing sports in college to make sure they know the path to get there. Ultimately, it is the student athlete and parents that will take the leadership role in this journey. Coaches and School Counselors are there to assist when they know it is the goal for that student. It is important to be aware of the requirements of the different levels of college sports, as they differ from the general graduation requirements for students to earn a high school diploma.
NCAA Division I, II and III https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/2/8/student-athletes-future.aspx
NAIA
https://www.naia.org/findyourpath/index
NJCAA
https://www.njcaa.org/landing/index
It is important to also note that requirements can change from year to year, so make sure to review these sites at a minimum annually in your high school journey.
Freshman Athlete Checklist
ACADEMICS
o You will take the PSAT at the school. Link your College Board account to your Khan Academy to practice for SAT
o Use Division I core course worksheet inside NCAA Guide to set specific academic goals and plan your schedule. Even if you don’t plan to play Division I it is best to use this guide, as it is the highest standard
o Meet with your guidance counselor and let them know that your goal is to play college athletics and review your course selection with the NCAA Guide.
o Fill out a Target List with 25 colleges you wish to pursue (5 DI, 5 DII, 5 NAIA, 5 DIII, 5 Junior College/State College)
o Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
o Attend tutoring if you are struggling
ATHLETIC COMPETITION
o Research and set athletic goals
o Ask a trusted coach in your area for an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses
o Alert High School and Club Coaches of your GOAL to play in college
RECRUITING
o Begin building a scouting report to present to college coaches
o Introduce yourself to 3-5 college coaches at levels you realistically qualify for based on recruiting guidelines. Start low and move up through the divisions DIII, NAIA, DII)
o Review your voicemail and social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) Make sure you always appear mature and there is no inappropriate information on display
o Organize your email to create a folder for recruiting emails
o Call two coaches from your target list in May/June to introduce yourself
o Start to accumulate game or skill footage
o Demonstrate good sportsmanship on and off the field and always shake hands with the officials and opposing coaches
o Begin a correspondence log
o Respond to all communication from college coaches
o Email 2 coaches from local colleges, 4 NAIA, DIII or Junior College. Make sure you proofread.
SUMMER
o Plan at least one visit to a college campus and take an academic tour.
o Attend local camps/ combines/ showcases to see how you compare with other high school athletes
o Make responsible choices and remember your goals
Sophomore Athlete Checklist
ACADEMICS
o Visit the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA websites linked above. LOOK FOR ANY RULE CHANGES.
o Use Division I core course worksheet inside NCAA Guide to review specific academic goals and progress.
o Meet with your guidance counselor and review your academic progress and get information on ACT/SAT
o You will take the PSAT at the school. You may opt to also take the PLAN (PRE ACT). Make sure your results with College Board are linked to Khan Academy to practice for the SAT.
o Review Target List of schools and add/delete based on what you qualify for (up to 40 schools)
o Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
o Attend tutoring if you are struggling
ATHLETIC COMPETITION
o Evaluate and adjust athletic goals
o Ask a trusted coach in your area for an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses (Have you progressed?)
o Remind High School and Club Coaches of your GOAL to play in college
RECRUITING
o Begin prioritizing your Target List of schools by ranking them
o Update scouting report to present to college coaches
o Introduce yourself to 5-10 college coaches at levels you realistically qualify for based on recruiting guidelines. Add contacts to your Correspondence Log
o Review your voicemail and social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) Make sure you always appear mature and there is no inappropriate information on display
o Manage your email to file recruiting emails you have sent to coaches
o Call 5-10 coaches from your target list in May/June to introduce yourself
o Continue to accumulate game or skill footage. Begin creating a video of highlights
o Demonstrate good sportsmanship on and off the field and always shake hands with the officials and opposing coaches
o Maintain your correspondence log
o Email coaches from your target list introduce/ update coach on your progress.
SUMMER
o Determine your Estimated Family Contribution to familiarize yourself with the collegiate financial aid process
o Volunteer
o Visit college campuses schedule academic tours.
o Attend local camps/ combines/ showcases to see how you compare with other high school athletes
o Make responsible choices and remember your goals
Junior Athlete Checklist
ACADEMICS
o BEGIN SAT/ ACT preparation
o Visit the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA websites linked above. LOOK FOR ANY RULE CHANGES.
o Use Division I core course worksheet inside NCAA Guide to review specific academic goals and progress.
o Meet with your guidance counselor and review your academic progress
o Review Target List of schools and add/delete based on what you qualify for (up to 40 schools). You should have relationships established with coaches (see contact log). If you have not had contact evaluate if the school should remain on your target list.
o Take the SAT and ACT. Mark 9999 to have scores sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Mark 9876 for the NAIA Eligibility Center. Make sure your College Board account is linked to Khan Academy to assist you in preparing for retesting.
o Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
o Attend tutoring if you are struggling
ATHLETIC COMPETITION
o Get emails and phone numbers from your coaches and ask them to be references
o Evaluate and adjust athletic goals
o Ask a trusted coach in your area for an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses (Have you progressed?)
o Remind High School and Club Coaches of your GOAL to play in college
RECRUITING
o Review the recruiting timeline for each division in your sport.
o Schedule game day visits (if possible)
o Update your Target List of schools by re-ranking them
o Update scouting report to present to college coaches
o Review your voicemail and social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) Make sure you always appear mature and there is no inappropriate information on display
o Manage your email to file recruiting emails
o Plan for travel to make unofficial/ official visits during spring break and summer. Take 2 unofficial visits. Target schools where coaches are recruiting you.
o Finish your highlights video
o Demonstrate good sportsmanship on and off the field and always shake hands with the officials and opposing coaches
o Maintain your correspondence log
o Respond to all communication from college coaches
o Be aware of recruiting dates for your sport.
o Email coaches from your target list introduce/ update coach on your progress.
SUMMER
o Volunteer
o Visit college campuses. Contact coaches in advance to schedule a meeting.
o Consider attending camps/ combines/ showcases to see how you compare with other high school athletes
o Make responsible choices and remember your goals
Senior Athlete Checklist
ACADEMICS
o Ask coaches when and how you should apply. Decide if you will submit any early applications. Obtain application waivers from coaches.
o Complete FAFSA form (Financial Aid Eligibility) Submit January 1st.
o Visit the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA websites linked above. LOOK FOR ANY RULE CHANGES.
o Use Division I core course worksheet inside NCAA Guide to review specific academic goals and progress. Make sure all will be complete by the end of the school year.
o Meet with your school counselor and review your academic progress
o Review Target List of schools and add/delete based on what you qualify for narrow down to 10-20 schools your are seriously considering and have shown interest in you.
o Re-take the SAT and ACT if necessary. Mark 9999 to have scores sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Mark 9876 for the NAIA Eligibility Center.
o Finalize and submit applications
o Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. First semester grades of Senior year are CRITICAL!
o Review Student Aid Report (SAR) to determine the best package.
o At the end of the school year ask the guidance counselor to send a copy of your final transcript and proof of graduation to the NCAA Eligibility Center and the NAIA Eligibility Center
o Apply for outside scholarships.
o Attend tutoring if you are struggling
ATHLETIC COMPETITION
o Update your references with coaches that know your skill and talent level and can speak to your character.
o Evaluate and adjust athletic goals
o Ask a trusted coach in your area for an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses (Have you progressed?)
o Showcase yourself if you have fewer than 10 coaches interested.
o Remind High School and Club Coaches of your GOAL to play in college. Positive relationships are important
RECRUITING
o Schedule official visits, unofficial visits and game day visits to multiple schools at multiple levels.
o Consider and practice what you will say if an offer is extended during an official visit.
o Prior to signing day, ask a coach where you stand on their recruiting list. Expand your search, if necessary.
o Begin scholarship negotiation early in the senior year.
o Review the recruiting timeline for your sport and evaluate where you stand.
o Update your Target List of schools by re-ranking them. Consider which coaches are interested in you.
o Update scouting report to present to college coaches
o Review your voicemail and social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) Make sure you always appear mature and there is no inappropriate information on display
o Manage your email to file recruiting emails
o Practice phone calls from coaches. What will you say? Role play with your parents.
o Ask coaches if they want new game footage or skills video. Follow up with the coach once you have sent the video.
o Demonstrate good sportsmanship on and off the field and always shake hands with the officials and opposing coaches
o Maintain your correspondence log
o Respond to all communication from college coaches
If you haven’t heard from a school you are interested in contact the coach and ask to fill out a questionnaire if you meet the minimum qualifications. Ask if they are still looking for players at this stage.