Guide to Helping Student Athletes Choose a College (75 Questions)
Contributed by Coach Brian Williams
Think back to the time when you were sifting through the options that you had for where you wanted to go to college. Few individuals are as pivotal in guiding high school student-athletes through the process of selecting a college that is the right fit for them as you, their coach, are.
Regardless of whether they aspire to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level or not, your guidance and support will be incredibly helpful to them. Just, like your coaches probably were when you made your decision.
To aid you in helping your athletes, we’ve compiled a list of questions that you can offer your athletes to contemplate as they navigate the college selection process. While most of these questions are tailored to prospective college athletes, many of them are equally relevant for students not pursuing athletics in college. Feel free to customize these questions to suit the specific needs of your student-athletes.
We invite you to download the list of questions at the end of this article, which you can incorporate into your program notebook or distribute to your individual athletes. Your guidance will profoundly impact their college decision-making process!
A Starting Point for Athletes Being Recruited by Colleges
Navigating the college recruitment process is both exciting and overwhelming for student-athletes. Here are some considerations to help you steer through the recruitment journey.
- If a school that is recruiting you discourages you from visiting other schools that are also recruiting you, that is a sign that they are concerned about how they will compare. You should visit any schools that you have a serious interest in.
- Evaluate approach that the recruiters take. Recruiters should focus on highlighting their institution’s strengths rather than criticizing other schools. Your visit should be about discovering what makes each program unique, not tearing down rivals.
- Look Beyond the Coach: While a coach’s influence will play a significant role in your choice of school, it shouldn’t be the sole determining factor in your decision. Consider the entire package offered by each institution. Coaching staffs can change unexpectedly during your college career.
- Seek Trusted Advice: Get input from friends, family, and mentors. They may see or think of things that you miss. However, the ultimate decision rests with you alone. Evaluate each option based on your personal, academic, and athletic goals.
Make sure to gather insights from various sources, including current students, professors, coaches, and athletes at each prospective school. Additionally, seek input from your parents, high school teachers, and coaches to gain a well-rounded perspective.
By weighing these considerations thoughtfully, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and values!
Here are some really good questions to consider as you work towards your final decision!
Academic Considerations
- What is the academic record of the school?
- What is the reputation of my intended major at this school?
- What is the student/faculty ratio for the school and specifically for my major?
- What is the school’s accreditation rating in my major?
- Will the school challenge me academically to the level I want?
- Does the coaching staff place an emphasis on academics?
- What is your sport’s graduation rate of student athletes at the school?
- Are the individualized academic plans for athletes?
- What is the quality and availability of the academic advisors, counselors, and tutors?
- How does the study table program work?
- What is the quality of the Library and Study Areas? (At times it will be hard to study in your room due to other students)
- Does the coach have a policy on class attendance?
- Is summer school education part of the scholarship offer if you decide to enroll?
- Is a 5th year available with the scholarship if necessary to complete my degree? (Consider that many student athletes are not able to complete their degree in four year)
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Considerations About Your Sport
- What do you know about the head coach?
- What do you know about the assistant coaches?
- What is the reputation and relationship that the coach recruiting you has developed with your high school?
- Does the coaching staff treat the athletes with respect while still pushing them to be their best academically and athletically?
- Will the coaching staff help me plan for my future?
- Can the coaches help with opportunities for summer jobs?
- Are the coaches people I could rely on to help me network as well as be references for me when I am looking to establish my career?
- Do they consistently make the postseason?
- Are they a consistently winning program, or are they rebuilding?
- Is the head coach secure in his/her job?
- Is the head coach likely to be there your entire career?
- Is there an opportunity to play as a freshman? (An opportunity to earn playing time is what you are looking for. An ethical coach will not PROMISE playing time)
- How long has the head coach been at the school?
- Where did he/she coach before?
- At what position am I being recruited?
- How many returning players are there at my position?
- How many players are they planning to sign at my position?
- Does their style of play fit my skills and talents?
- What are the athletic facilities like?
- Who do they play?
- Will the coaches help me reach my potential both as a person, as a student, and as an athlete?
- How is the training and medical staff?
- What is their injury prevention program like/
- What is the policy regarding serious injuries and maintaining a scholarship?
- Is there media exposure?
- Are the games available for streaming for my family?
- Do they have a history of NCAA or NAIA violations?
- Do I know personally or am able to get in contact with students or athletes at the school?
- What is their redshirt policy or philosophy?
Athletic Scholarship Considerations
- Do I need to be prepared to be offered a scholarship during my visit?
- Will the offer be a full scholarship or a partial scholarship?
- If there are no athletic scholarships, what other financial aid opportunities exist? How do I apply for those opportunities?
- What does the scholarship cover in addition to tuition?
- In the end, how much will my parents and I have to pay ourselves?
- Ask for an explanation of the “National Letter of Intent” and anything you don’t understand about the entire financial process.
- Ask about conference affiliation and rules that might be specific to that league.
- Is the scholarship offer a four-year offer, or is it subject to renewal each year?
The College or University
- Do you like the location and surroundings?
- How far is it from home?
- Will my friends and family be me able to see my home games in person?
- Are the road games close enough for my family to attend?
- What are the living and classroom facilities like?
- What are the dining facilities like?
- What is the quality and quantity of food available for my campus or athletic meal plan?
- Are there year-round and in-season training table for athletes?
- Are there spiritual and cultural opportunities available?
- Does the enrollment fit what you are looking for?
- What is the attitude of the faculty, student body, and community towards athletes?
- Do the current athletes in your sport seem like people you would want to be around?
- What is the character of the school and student body?
- What is the social climate of the school like?
- Is it a private, public, or denominational school?
- Is the climate of the school’s location a factor to you?
- What types of activities and opportunities for recreation are there in the school and the community?
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