1. Academics
What do you want to do after College?  Make sure your athletic aspirations align with your eventual career and school choice. 

Ensure you are enrolled in the correct classes. You will need the following number of core courses to be eligible:

• Division I: 16 Core Academic Courses
• Division II: 16 Core Academic Courses
• Division III: No requirements.  

GPA and courses required will vary at each school, but the guidelines above are the minimum required to be an NCAA collegiate athlete at each level.

2. NCAA Eligibility Center
You must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and get a clearinghouse ID. There is a fee ($70.00) to register. The Website: //web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp

3. Standardized Testing
Sign up/take the SAT and/or ACT.  You will not need these standardized tests to be a Division III athlete as there is no eligibility center for Division III, however most schools will require an SAT and/or ACT score to be admitted:

• Division I: (Sliding scale) and the higher GPA you have, the lower SAT/ACT score a student athlete will need. For example if a student athlete has a 2.5 GPA s/he will need an 820 SAT (Math/Verbal Combined) or a 68 sum score on the ACT
• Division II: Minimum of an 820 SAT and a 68 sum score on the ACT
• Division III: No requirement

4. Research Your Schools of Interest
Take time to research schools and put together a list of schools that interest you, take into account the following criteria:

• Academic Interests (Major)
• Location
• Cost
• Size
• Athletic Interests (Soccer Program)

5. School Database
With your school list in-hand, go online and fill out the sports team’s questionnaire. This will put you in their database and you will now be on their radar.

6. Create your Profile
Create a soccer resume or profile and e-/mail the coaching staff.

7. Further Communication with the Coaches
Keep in contact with coaches through v/e-mails and phone calls.  Always send updated schedules of games throughout the year.  Keep your emails brief and to the point; include the following items especially in your early emails:

• Name
• Club Team
• Uniform Number
• Graduation Year
• Position

8. Attend College Showcases
Make sure your club team is going to showcases you and your team cite and critical throughout the process. There are a number of good college showcases that you can attend.  Remember, always use high school and club coaches as references.

9. ID Camps
Once you have a list of schools, try and go to their ID or Prep Camps. This will give you a feel for the staff and campus. Also look to attend camps that have multiple college coaches working, so you give yourself the most exposure.

10. Important Deadlines and Time Frames
It is never too early to start your college search, but here are a couple of key time frames

Email Contact:

• Division I & Division II: Both divisions cannot contact you via email in a recruiting capacity until September 1 of your Junior Year, but both can email you camp information and a recruiting questionnaire.
• Division III: Are permitted to contact you at any time via email.

Phone Call Contact:

• Division I: Not permitted to contact you via phone until July 1 after your Junior Year
• Division II: Not permitted to contact you via phone until June 15 after your Junior Year (This is in the process of being changed to after your sophomore)
• Division III: Can contact you via phone at anytime

NCAA Eligibility Center: You must register with NCAA Eligibility Center before official visit

Official Visit: September 1st of senior year or first day of classes is first opportunity to take official visit