FRESHMAN YEAR
Start making a list of schools you are interested in attending. To get more choices you can check out the database on this website to search by location, type of school (DI, DII, etc.), position available for scholarships in the upcoming years, etc.
Spring:
Sign up for and attend volleyball camps of the schools you are interested in attending.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
September:
Start getting letters together to send to coaches. You will need to send the following:
Cover Letter
Player Profile
Schedule of upcoming tournaments
January:
Send out your package to coaches of the colleges you are interested in attending. Update your schedule to include your club team. Keep copies of your cover letters so you can keep track of who you have been in contact with.
Coaches can only send you a questionnaire at this point. If you receive one from a college you are interested in, fill it out and send it back! You can also view the websites online. Most have a link to a recruiting page where you can fill the questionnaire out online or request one to be sent to you.
Start taking game video of your club tournament games. You may want to include these instead of your high school footage of the upcoming high school season since the caliber is higher on the club level then high school.
Go to www.universityathlete.com and register yourself so college coaches can find you. If you play in a national qualifier tournament you will automatically be registered by the website but you will be responsible for the content and making sure it is updated.
Sign up for volleyball camps of the schools you are interested in attending.
Summer:
Attend the volleyball camps you signed up for. Try and learn as much about the school and its program as you can. Note how you feel about the school and the camp and if you could see yourself living and playing for that college/university for four years.
JUNIOR YEAR
September:
You can begin receiving official recruiting information from college coaches including types of scholarships available, media guides for the school, etc. on September 1 of your Junior year! The fun really starts now!
Begin contacting coaches using the database on this website (if you have not already done so.) If you initiate contact, the coach can give you information you ask for. They, however, cannot initiate a call to you.
SAT/ACT
Check when SAT www.collegeboard.com and ACT http://www.actstudent.org/index.html tests are being administered and sign up. Take one test in the Fall/Winter and one in the Spring of your Junior year. This will give the coach needed information about your score so he/she does not have to wait. Most have a standard score they will not go below so make sure you study and use the prep courses available to get the best score you can. See www.kaplan.com for classes near you.
Start working on your recruiting video during the Fall of your Junior season. See “How to make a Recruiting Video” specific to your position on our website. Click HERE!
Send out your Recruiting Video along with cover letter and resume and updated schedule.
Spring:
Take more game footage of this season’s club tournaments. Send a follow-up letter to coaches with an updated video of the game footage if you feel it is necessary.
Make “unofficial” visits to schools you are interested in attending. An “unofficial” visit is one that is paid for by the prospective athlete, NOT the college/university. To save money and time, plan ahead and make visits to schools located near tournaments you will be playing in. You may contact the coach to let them know you will be visiting so they can plan an itinerary for you when you arrive. Some girls have made unofficial visits as early as their Sophomore year.
Take another SAT or ACT test.
July 1:
Coaches are officially allowed to call you once/week.
Coaches can make home visits. Some schools make this a priority and do make the home visit. Others, due to financial reasons, will not be able to do this. Do not take it personally if the coach does not come for a visit!
SENIOR YEAR
September 1:
Coaches may invite you for up to 5 “official” visits. An official visit is one where the school pays for you to visit the school. If you are asked for an official visit and are interested in attending the school then GO!!!
Fall:
Follow up with schools you have heard from and those you have not. Narrow down your choices if necessary.
Spring:
SIGN LETTER OF INTENT!!!!!
Once you sign with a school, remember to contact your new coach and find out what type of workout to follow over the Summer. You definitely want to continue to keep in shape to be ready for 2-a-days!