Durango Youth Soccer Association

College Bound?

Find Your Balance
Academics Athletics Social = Personal Growth

Choosing for Academics
· Degree or Field of Study Offered
· Small or Large Class Sizes
· Taught by Professors or Graduate Assistants
· Flexible Major or Individualized Degree Programs
· Preparation and Placement into Prestigious Graduate Schools or Work Force
· Cost

Choosing for Athletics
· How Soon Will I Get to Play?
· How Important Is It to Play for a Winning Program?
· What is the Commitment Level Expected of Me by the Program?
· Is a Scholarship Available for Me?
· At What Level of Play am I Capable?
· Do I Aspire to Play Professionally?

What Does It Take To Play College Soccer?
· Technical – The ability to master the ball so that speed of play is as fast as possible.
· Tactical – (1) Being able to recognize what is happening on the field. (2) Executingdecisions that maximize benefit to your team and hurt the other team the most.
· Physical – Mostly inherited, physical speed, strength, agility, and quickness can separate players.
· Psychological – The capacity to deal with adversity. A Player’s composure, confidence, concentration, and commitment.
· Academics – Solid core-course preparation and GPA. Adequate to above average test scores.

Choosing for Social
· Big school or small school
· Big city, small city, or rural college town
· Geographic location
· Greek organization membership
· Student-Government/Leadership opportunities
· Diversity of student population

NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Maximizing Athletic Aid
· Understand limited nature of available athletic funds; predict a school’s scholarship budget for your freshman year
· Recognize that most student-athletes are “packaged” (government, academic, and athletic aid)
· Take tests junior year, apply early to colleges, have 3-4 school suitable to your needs who are interested in you
· Establish a family financial plan; know your limits!
· Be open and honest with coaches during negotiations
· Attempt to not let money be the overriding decision

Organizing Your College Future The 3 P’s
Be Proactive
Continuous evaluation and prioritization of academic and athletic goals.
Be Persistent
Continuously express your interest in the school and program of your choice
Be Prepared
Satisfy all necessary academic and athletic eligibility requirements

HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BY YEAR CKECKLIST OF ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH

Freshman
· Understand that every grade in every class counts towards your college acceptance and ultimate opportunities both academically and athletically.
· Prepare a four year academic plan to insure NCAA core course requirements are met.
· Attend summer camps of schools which you have an interest.

Sophomore
· Identify 10 schools of interest to you
· Research their academic standards and athletic programs
· Develop resume and cover letter to be mailed in spring semester
· Identify summer camps of schools in which you have an interest

Junior
· Eliminate schools that do not fit your criteria. Add schools who might and have shown interest in you.
· Take ACT and SAT in late spring
· Register for NCAA Clearinghouse in June after grades have been posted to transcript
· Use spring break/summer as an opportunity to take unofficial visits to schools of interest
· Develop realistic financial plans with your family
· Attend summer camp of schools high on your priority list.

Senior
· Retake ACT and/or SAT in early fall is necessary
· Take official visits if offered; unofficial ones if not.
· Apply for admission as soon as possible in early fall
· Submit FAFSA as soon as possible in January.
· Hopefully sign a National Letter of Intent on the 1st Wednesday in February!

Great Academic Comparison Tools
www.actstudent.org
www.sat.org 

Helpful Athletic Comparison and Information Web-Sites
www.collegesoccer.com
www.thesportsource.com