There are many important dates on the college recruiting timeline, and for sophomores turning juniors in high school, June 15th is no exception. This Saturday will be the first day Division I college coaches can contact PSAs (Potential Student Athletes) who are entering their junior year in high school. Here we will be outlining what processes take place when, what steps rising juniors can take and how to prepare, and how JGH can help ease any stress you may have with our resources available.
Before June 15th, all face-to-face, phone, email, and text conversation is prohibited. However, it is important to remember that recruits can always reach out to coaches as early as middle school to put themselves on coaches’ radars. Just don’t necessarily expect a personal reply at that time.
How to prepare
During these recruiting periods, especially the communication period, it will be beneficial to have some things prepared for any potential interviews or conversations you may have. Here’s what you can do to help set yourself up for success:
- First and foremost- attending at least one college golf tournament will greatly help you determine where you stand in comparison to your peers. It will show you what level of skill your desired college or university requires and will give you a base point to start working from. This also gives you insight into what a college athlete/ coach relationship looks like.
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. If you intend to join an NCAA sport, it is necessary to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The center will determine if you as an athlete are eligible to play sports at an NCAA Division I, II, or III institution.
- Plan “unofficial” college visits. Many schools offer online tours of their campus, which gives you a good idea of what the campus is like if your desired school is far from home. If your prospective universities are close by, informally touring the campus will give you a good feel as to what size school and what environment you are looking for. This makes it easier to narrow down your options in the future.
- Practice how to speak with coaches. Fine tune your phone and interview skills so you can present your best self when the opportunity arises.
- Though many schools do not require you to submit test scores, most juniors in high school are required to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. In January of 2023, NCAA Divisions I and II adopted legislation to remove standardized test scores from the initial enrollment process for all students. Check with your desired NCAA school if submitting test scores are necessary for admission or receiving scholarships.
Many of these requirements are necessary for high school juniors to accomplish. For sophomores who have just finished their second year, already you should have played in several nationally ranked events, spoken with a counselor to ensure you fulfill NCAA requirements, and started creating a resume or plan with your accomplishments and goals.
JGH is here to help!
The recruiting process can be daunting, but do not stress! There are several resources available on the Junior Golf Hub website, like our article Recruiting Rules and Regulations which gives a detailed outline of when athletes and coaches can communicate, as well as a detailed calendar of what steps you can take each year of high school. Your player profile you create on the JGH website also allows for coaches to view which tournaments you have competed in, your accomplishments, your scores, and videos of your golf highlights. It is an easy resource for your desired colleges and universities to visit to see all your information in one place.
Remember- picking colleges is an exciting time! You should be proud of what you have accomplished so far.
For any more advice or information you might need, take a look at these links:
College and Golf Program Research
Good luck to you on your journey to becoming a student athlete and get excited for the opportunities coming your way June 15th!
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