College Bound

provided by J.B. Belzer, Head Women's Soccer Coach, Regis University

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) Executing decisions 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

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 CHECKLIST 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

Helpful Athletic Comparison and Information Web-Sites