A Student-Athlete’s Guide to College Admissions

Many high school student-athletes continue playing sports in college, but only a few compete at the collegiate level. The NCAA estimates that fewer than 10% of high school baseball, softball, basketball, football, and soccer players become NCAA student-athletes. Despite the odds, high schoolers have many reasons for wanting to compete at the college level. Some dream of going pro one day, while others hope to earn an athletic scholarship.

Whatever your motivation, applying to college as a student-athlete, from researching schools while maintaining your grades — and potentially navigating recruitment —  there’s a lot to plan for.

Applying to college as a student-athlete

Student-athletes complete many of the same application steps as other students:

• Taking the SAT or ACT
• Requesting transcripts
• Submitting your FAFSA
• Writing college essays

Additionally, student-athletes must register with the NAIA or NCAA by creating a profile and submitting required documents to their Eligibility Center.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

• Large-scale programs with high visibility.
• Supports over 500,000 student-athletes annually.
• Three divisions; 24 sports. 
• Partner schools award $4.0 billion in athletic scholarships annually.

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

• Smaller-scale programs with emphasis on student-athlete experience.
• Supports over 83,000 student-athletes annually.
• One division; 19 sports.
• Partner schools award $1.3 billion in athletic scholarships annually.

The recruitment process

College coaches recruit some athletes directly. The recruitment process for Division I can begin as early as the summer before junior year, although recruiting rules vary by division and sport. Still, it’s never too early to contact coaches of the teams you’d love to play for. Even though you may not hear back right away, you can certainly express your interest and get yourself on their radar.

Recruitment includes several steps:

• An evaluation period, where athletic programs look for potential student-athletes by reviewing highlight videos, attending showcases and tournaments, and visiting schools 
• A contact period, where coaches reach out to students via email and phone calls. Coaches might also send out questionnaires or invite students to attend athletic camps. 
• An offer, once coaches have narrowed down their list of top recruits.

A caveat: You might receive an unofficial verbal offer at any time. But it doesn’t become official until you sign your financial aid agreement.

So what happens if you’re recruited before you’ve submitted a college application? Do you still need to send one in? Yes, indeed! While recruitment for a varsity sport might boost your odds, it does not guarantee admission. You’ll still need to impress admissions officers at competitive colleges and universities with your academic performance. Plus, high grades and strong test scores can help you qualify for both athletic and academic scholarships.

Application Tip: Notify the coach when you submit your application! Building a rapport with college coaches shows your commitment to both athletics and academics and can help move your application along.

Choosing the right high school courses

Playing college sports requires you to complete either the NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements and impress the admissions team at your chosen school. For example, to comply with minimum NCAA Division I academic requirements, students must complete 16 core high school classes in English, math, science, and social science and maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA. 

Division I schools vary in selectiveness, and excelling academically is key to positioning yourself as a strong candidate. Ivy League Division I schools have incredibly low acceptance rates, expect high GPAs, and have a reputation for rigorous admissions criteria, for example. Larger state schools like the University of Ohio or the University of Oregon accept a higher percentage of students with a greater range of GPAs and test scores.

While earning high grades is important, challenge yourself, too. Enrolling in honors or AP courses strengthens your transcript and demonstrates your commitment to academic growth and achievement. Balancing challenging courses with your athletic commitments also shows you can handle the demanding schedule expected of a college-level student-athlete.

Outside core requirements, take classes that genuinely interest you! If your goal isn’t to become a professional athlete, don’t wait until college to explore other interests. Art history, psychology, computer science, or foreign language classes might spark new interests and help you discover potential college majors.

What to expect once enrolled

Being a student-athlete isn’t easy. Practices, extra workouts, team meetings, and competitions can demand as much time as you spend on classes and homework. Managing all of your responsibilities requires serious time management skills — you’ll need to know when to buckle down and study and when to unwind and relax with friends.

Your athletic program’s demands will vary depending on your division and college. Expect the athletic schedule at a Division I school to be more intense than one at a Division III school. Additionally, some majors have a more demanding time commitment than others.

No matter what division you're in, choose a college you love to stay excited about your athletic and academic pursuits. Finding a balance that empowers you to thrive as a student and an athlete is key to a fulfilling, successful college experience.

Want more tips and insights? Check out our full Guide to College Admissions here.