Start your core course plan

Meet with your school counselor to map out the 16 NCAA-required core courses across all four years. Getting this wrong early is the #1 eligibility killer.

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center

Go to eligibilitycenter.org and create an account. You can register as early as 9th grade. Division I and II athletes must be cleared before competing.

Build your athletic resume

Start tracking stats, awards, and achievements. Coaches will ask for this. A simple Google Doc works fine at this stage.

Identify your target division

Be honest about your current athletic level. Research D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO options. Most athletes end up at D2 or D3 — and that's a great outcome.

Start watching film on yourself

Have someone record your games and practices. Get in the habit of reviewing your own film. Coaches will eventually ask for it.

Compete at the highest level available

Club, travel, or AAU competition gets you in front of college coaches far more than high school play alone. Prioritize elite-level exposure events.

Take the PSAT

Your PSAT score gives you a baseline for SAT prep. National Merit Scholarship eligibility also opens academic aid doors at many schools.

Create your first highlight reel

A 3–5 minute highlight video of your best plays. Keep it simple — coaches watch the first 60 seconds most carefully. Update it every season.

Fill out recruiting questionnaires

Go to the athletic websites of your target schools and fill out their recruiting questionnaires. This puts you in their database and signals interest.

Attend camps at target schools

College camps let coaches evaluate you in person. They're also a chance to see the campus and program culture up close.

Build your school list (40–60 programs)

Cast a wide net. Include reach schools, target schools, and safety schools across multiple divisions. You'll narrow this list over time.

Send your first coach emails

You can email any college coach at any time. Introduce yourself, share your film link, and express genuine interest in their program. Keep it under 200 words.

Take the SAT and/or ACT

Junior year is your primary testing window. Aim to test at least twice. NCAA Division I requires a minimum score on the sliding scale with your GPA.

Intensify coach outreach

Send personalized emails to every school on your list. Follow up every 3–4 weeks. Coaches respect persistence — it signals genuine interest.

Take unofficial visits

Visit your top 8–10 schools at your own expense. Attend a game, meet the coaches, tour the facilities. These visits are critical for narrowing your list.

Update your highlight reel

Refresh your film with your best junior year footage. This is the reel coaches will evaluate most seriously when making scholarship decisions.

Request your official transcript

Send your transcript to coaches who request it. Make sure your GPA and core course count are on track for NCAA clearance.

Attend elite showcases and tournaments

Junior year showcases are heavily attended by college coaches. This is your highest-visibility season. Perform well and follow up with every coach who watched you.

Narrow your school list to 10–15 programs

By end of junior year, you should have a focused list of schools where you have real interest and real interest back. Quality over quantity at this stage.

Take official visits (up to 5 for D1/D2)

Official visits are paid for by the school. Use all 5 if possible. Ask the hard questions about playing time, scholarship renewal, and program culture.

Early signing period (sport-specific)

Most sports have an early signing period in November. If you're ready and have your top choice, signing early locks in your scholarship and gives the program certainty.

Submit NCAA Eligibility Center documentation

Your high school must submit your final transcript and proof of graduation to the Eligibility Center before you can compete. Don't let this slip.

Compare financial aid packages

Athletic scholarship + academic aid + need-based grants = total package. Compare the net cost at each school, not just the scholarship amount.

Sign your NLI or institutional agreement

The National Letter of Intent is binding. Read it carefully. Division III schools use institutional financial aid agreements instead.

Notify other coaches of your decision

Once you commit, email every coach you've been in contact with to thank them and let them know you've made your decision. It's the right thing to do and protects your reputation.