Parents: Finding the Right College for your High School Athlete.
Finding the Right College for Your High School Athlete
Selecting the right college is one of the most important decisions for a student-athlete. It’s about finding the best combination of academics, athletics, and personal fit. With options ranging from NCAA Divisions I, II, and III to NAIA and Junior College navigating the choices can be overwhelming. Here’s how to approach the search to help your athlete find their ideal match.
1. Consider Academic Fit
Academics should be the foundation of any college search make sure to evaluate programs and ensure the college offers strong programs in your athlete’s intended major. Assess the rigor of each school and find a place where the academic challenge matches your athlete’s abilities and aspirations. Focus on resources and look for academic support like tutoring, advisors, and study halls for athletes.
2. Assess Athletic Fit
The athletic experience should align with your athlete’s skills and goals and level of competition. Determine whether NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, or Junior College best suits their abilities. Program success and research the team’s performance, coaching staff, and development opportunities. Examine what kind of role on the team your child would have and understand the likelihood of playing time and how they might contribute. Remember that each division has a high level of play. Division I is typically the highest level but there are many weak division I athletic teams, and in comparison very high level division II and III teams. Find the best fit for your child.
3. Factor in Location and Size
Location and campus size will significantly impact the college experience. What the proximity to home is also deciding factor and if staying close to home or venturing further is preferable. Campus size is something to consider whether a large university or a smaller college is a better fit. Climate and environment is also something to think about and how weather and local culture, may affect your athlete’s comfort, performance, and enjoyment.
4. Understand Division Differences
Each division offers unique benefits and challenges but also note that each division has high levels of athletics and the higher division does not always translate into higher level of athletics. A lot of teams are division I because of bigger money sports like basketball or football but their other athletic programs are weaker in terms of athletic ability. Some division II or III athletics are actually much better than some division I teams although the highest levels are typically division I.
NCAA Division I: Highly competitive with significant time demands; often provides full athletic scholarships.
NCAA Division II: Competitive but with more balance between academics and athletics; offers partial scholarships.
NCAA Division III: Focuses on academics with no athletic scholarships but a strong emphasis on team culture.
NAIA: Combines academics and athletics with fewer regulations and smaller school sizes.
Junior Colleges: Provide a stepping stone for athletes to develop skills and transfer to four-year programs.
5. Evaluate Financial Implications
Understanding the financial aspects is crucial and there are some different options. Scholarships are always the first to come to mind but also explore academic, and need-based scholarship opportunities. A lot of schools have financial aid that is based on family income and does not need to be paid back. Top schools like MIT and Harvard often have great financial aid packages where if you get accepted and your family income is below 200k you go for free. This will vary from school to school. Also think about the cost of attendance and compare tuition, housing, and other expenses. NIL opportunities can also happen for divisions allowing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, consider potential earnings. NIL will vary wildly depending on what sport your child plays and what division they are in.
6. Align with Career Goals
College is a stepping stone to a future career and internship opportunities can be a big part of that. Research the school’s connections to industries of interest and use NSAA to connect with other athletes for future career opportunities. Post-graduation support is important so look into alumni networks and career services. More importantly use the network opportunities in NSAA as we connect all present and past athletes for networking opportunites! Transferable skills are important so focus on programs that develop leadership, teamwork, and time management.
7. Take Campus Visits
Seeing a college in person can clarify its fit so unofficial visits and official visits are important. Official visits have to be arranged by the school coaches and often coordinated by the teams captains. These will vary from school to school, and divisions. Unofficial visits can be taken on your own as they are self-funded trips to explore campuses informally. If you do, make sure to meet key people, and interact with coaches, players, and academic advisors to get a sense of the community.
8. Weigh the Pros and Cons
Use a systematic approach to narrow choices. You can create a checklist and rank schools based on academics, athletics, location, and financial fit. Talk it through and discuss options with coaches, family, and mentors. Trust your gut and encourage your athlete to consider where they feel most comfortable and excited about their future, but in the end, let them decide and try not to steer them in one direction, as they may end up resenting you if you do.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right college is about striking the perfect balance between academics, athletics, and personal preferences. By thoroughly researching options and considering all aspects, your athlete can make an informed decision that sets them up for success on and off the field. Remember, this process is a journey—one that leads to growth, discovery, and exciting opportunities