FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE YEAR:
This is a great time to make initial contact by letter and/or email.  It is never too early to start!  Players should begin to formulate a list of 20 or so schools, varying in division and level.  This list is variable.  Division I and II schools can only respond to the introductory letter with a general questionnaire and/or a summer camp brochure.  By making contact, it informs the prospective school knowledge of your genuine interest.  It is also recommended to continue this initial contact with schedules (club and high school) and tournament updates, team rankings in the state, region, nationally (if applicable), recent awards, academic awards/scores, odp stuff, etc… Update as often as you feel is necessary.

The cover letter should stress your interest and awareness of the specific program.  In other words, personalize each letter.  It is ok to be creative!  This done by reviewing their past successes, (i.e.: season record, tournament bid, player awards, etc….) demonstrating you are well researched with their program!  It should also highlight personal and/or team successes, both club and high school.  Also included in the letter should be a complete resume along with any pertinent club/high school schedules.  A request for further information about the soccer program and the university/college as well as summer camps should be made at the closing of the letter.

It is also recommended to take as many unofficial visits as possible to as many different types of schools.  You have an unlimited amount of unofficial visits.  Most coaches are more than willing to meet and talk.  Campus tours can usually be set up through admission and/or a visitor’s center.

Sometime during the freshman/sophomore year, it is also recommended to enter the NCAA Eligibility Center.  Please see NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Athlete for further details.  High School guidance counselors should also be of assistance in this process.  (In short, the NCAA Eligibility Center is used to see if you are eligible for college, i.e.: taken your ACT, SAT exams, gpa score, etc..)  It is also wise to evaluate your CORE courses and grade point average (refer to the NCAA Guide).

JUNIOR YEAR:
As of September 1st of the junior year, prospective student-athletes may begin to receive letters, media guides and other official soccer/university information from college coaches, faculty members and students (not boosters).  Your “Top 20” list will vary from week to week or even day to day.  Therefore, it is a good idea to continue your research and recruiting!  You must also begin to research the academic side of schools in great detail.

Your recruiting should continue along the same lines as your sophomore year, but with more focus and deliberateness.  Even though the high school season coincides with the college soccer season, you should watch as many women’s college matches as possible.  I can’t stress this enough!  Continue to request further information as well as take more unofficial visits.

I strongly encourage you to take your ACT/SAT tests during the fall and as many times as you can.  Don’t wait until the fall of your senior year.  Most academic packages from colleges are put together in the fall of your senior year based upon your earlier scores and early deadlines.

SENIOR YEAR:
As of July 1st of your senior year, you may receive phone calls from coaches, Division I and II.  Coaches are limited to one phone call per week.  Messages don’t count as a phone call.  If your parents speak with the coach about the university and/or soccer program, then that phone call will count for that week, even if they did not speak with you directly.  Letters, emails, faxes, etc… are unlimited.  Also, beginning your first day of class, you can begin to take official visits.  You have five official visits total!  These visits are by invitation only!  Official visits are expense paid visits.