The recruiting process is a two-way street. It’s up to you and your family to look into a possible school or program, even though coaches are looking at the athletes. But how can you be sure that the school you choose is the best one for your child?
You should do your homework, make a list of the schools you like, and start getting in touch with coaches. Athletes should always have a list of questions ready to ask coaches. These questions should cover everything from what kinds of majors are available to how often and how far the team travels to games and events.
It should be no surprise that your parents must also be prepared to ask questions. College coaches want to get to know people like you who might be good recruits, but they also know that the process takes a lot of work from everyone. Your parents should let you take the lead when asking questions. But it’s perfectly OK for them to talk to coaches and ask their own questions too.
If you’re a student athlete interested in taking your game to the collegiate level, partnering with NCSA College Recruiting can significantly improve your chances of getting recruited. As the world’s largest college athletic recruiting network NCSA has helped over 150000 students find sports scholarships and roster spots. However, before they start promoting your profile to college coaches, you’ll need to have an introductory interview with an NCSA recruiting coordinator.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to ace the NCSA interview and get one step closer to achieving your college sports dreams
About NCSA College Recruiting
Founded in 2000, NCSA has established itself as the leading online recruiting platform connecting high school athletes and college coaches. Their network includes over 35,000 college coaches across 34 sports who rely on NCSA for access to qualified student athletes.
NCSA simplifies the recruiting process by helping athletes build an online profile, gain exposure to suitable programs, and learn how to communicate effectively with college coaches. Their team of experts also provides personal guidance tailored to each athlete’s goals, abilities, and academic preferences.
What to Expect from the Initial NCSA Recruiting Coordinator Call
Once you complete NCSA’s student athlete registration form, you’ll be contacted by a recruiting coordinator to schedule an intro call. This is a short 15-20 minute call to discuss your athletic background, recruiting goals, and college priorities. It helps the coordinator determine if you’re a good fit for NCSA’s services.
Here are some of the common questions they’ll ask:
- What sport do you play and what position?
- How many years have you played competitively at the varsity, club or all-star level?
- What are your main athletic accomplishments and awards so far?
- What are you doing to continue improving your athletic skills?
- On a scale of 1-10, how serious are you about playing your sport in college?
- Do you have a highlight video showcasing your abilities?
- What factors are most important to you in selecting a college? Academics, location, size, etc.?
- Do you have any preferences in terms of division level or conference?
- What is your current GPA and standardized test scores?
- Have you already started researching potential college choices?
The coordinator will also explain the NCSA recruiting process in more detail and outline the benefits of partnering with them. Come prepared to ask any questions you may have as well.
How to Prepare for Your NCSA Recruiting Call
Here are some tips to get ready for your introductory call:
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Have your sports resume on hand. This should outline your stats, awards, teams, camps attended, etc.
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Review your athletic profile. Knowing details like height, weight, position stats, etc. will help you answer questions.
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Reflect on your goals. What level do you want to compete at? What factors matter most in a college for you?
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Research college options. Have a few schools in mind that match your abilities, academics and interests.
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Prepare questions to ask. For example, about NCSA’s team, services, how they’ve helped past recruits, etc.
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Practice discussing your skills. Highlight your level of competitiveness, commitment, achievements and potential.
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Convey your enthusiasm. Show you’re excited and ready to do the work needed to play at the next level.
Following Up After Your Call
At the end of the call, the coordinator will recap next steps based on your recruitment needs and goals. This may include building out your NCSA profile, contacting coaches, scheduling campus visits, or submitting video.
Stay in touch with your coordinator through the process and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions. Keep working hard on your game and academics as you get closer to college recruitment.
With preparation and dedication, the NCSA partnership can open doors to amazing opportunities to play the sport you love at the college level. So get ready to ace that interview and take the first step toward achieving your athletic dreams!
What questions should parents ask college coaches?
Here are some questions your parents may want to ask prospective coaches.
- What scholarships and financial aid packages are available?
Do not talk about how much athletic aid, if any, is being offered until the coach has made an offer. It’s best to ask about a school’s overall tuition and room-and-board costs, as well as its need-based aid and academic or merit-based scholarships. However, the admissions and financial aid offices can give you more information.
The best thing to do is to find out what kinds of costs players have to pay for, like uniforms, gear, or team trips.
- What are the housing accommodations like?
Student athletes or all students may have to live on campus for at least one year, but not all four years, at some schools. Others allow students to live off campus or have apartment-style housing available. Could you describe the dorms? How many students live on and off campus? Is there housing that is just for student athletes? If not, do most athletes live with each other or with other students?
It might also be good to ask if your child could room with other athletes.
- What type of academic support do athletes receive?
It’s important for athletes to make sure they can do well in school so they can get into college and stay eligible to compete. If your child’s GPA falls below a certain level, they might not be able to play or even be kicked off the team.
To avoid this, some schools offer additional services for student-athletes. Some of these are required or suggested study hours, academic advisors, tutors, and even help from professors to make up work they missed while traveling or competing with their team.
- What is the college doing to create a safe campus?
Ensuring that your child is safe is a top priority. Especially when most will be away from home for the first time. It makes sense to wonder about the safety and security of the school. For example, does the school have security guards or police officers on duty? How does the school get in touch with students in case of an emergency? Are there transportation services for late nights or activities off campus?
- What types of on/off campus activities are available to athletes?
Every division level is different. Some top programs may not give their athletes a lot of free time, but many programs, especially at the D3 and NAIA levels, let athletes try out other activities outside of school, get a part-time job or internship, or even study abroad.
- Do athletes have the same meal plan as regular students?
In 2014, the NCAA made it mandatory for D1 programs to provide student-athletes with unlimited meals and snacks, but those same rules don’t always apply to D2, D3 or NAIA programs. Make sure to ask whether student-athletes are on the same meal plan as their non-athlete peers, as well as what types of dining options are available. Some schools have even started to offer specialty athletic nutrition facilities – complete with chefs and dieticians – to help their athletes reach peak performance.
What questions should athletes ask college coaches?
Below are 12 good questions to ask college coaches. If you’re unsure how to get started, check out our guide to how to email a college coach. Also, check out our questions to ask college coaches on the phone.
- How does a day, week, or year go by in the life of one of your athletes?
While you might have a general idea of what your day may look like, every team is different. Many programs practice year-round, and some travel may be required during holidays or summer breaks. Your coaches know that your parents want to know what you will be doing on a regular basis, like whether you will be studying in class, going to the gym, or traveling to games or meets.
You can choose the right college and team for you by seeing what your schedule might look like.
- What is the application process like?
Once you hear or read an offer from a coach, it’s easy to forget that you still need to apply to college. The coach should know the standard questions about admissions, like what grades and test scores are needed to get into the school, when the application deadlines are, and if they can (or can’t) give feedback or look over the athlete’s application before it’s sent in.
You can find this information on other websites, but it will be much more helpful to get it directly from the coach. You might even find out what application information could give you an edge over others.
- How would you describe your coaching style?
There are many different styles of coaching out there. You don’t want to be stuck with uber tough drill sergeant if you don’t respond well to that. It could take some of the fun out of the sport you love.
If you know what kind of coaching they use, you can also guess what they expect from you. This is key to understanding how you compare to their standards.
- What are you looking for in a new recruit?
Is there anything you can do to get ready for next year? You could even ask about exercises and training you can do to keep your body in shape for the game.
- What happens if the athlete gets injured?
It’s every parent’s worst-case scenario – you get unexpectedly injured, and you’re out for the season. College athletes are required by the NCAA to have health insurance, but schools are not required to pay for their care. It’s not uncommon for your parents to have to cover part or all the out-of-pocket costs.
If the coach has brought up the idea of an athletic scholarship, find out if it will still be available if you miss some or all of the season.
- What are the next steps?
You and your parents should know what to expect and what to do next. It doesn’t matter what stage of the recruiting process your child is in. Will there be any follow-up visits or appointments? What forms or paperwork do families need to prepare or fill out for admissions? Are there any important or upcoming due dates?
You don’t want to miss a big deadline and hurt your chances, so ask and then cross them off on your phone’s calendar. Make sure to set alerts, too.
What Questions Do College Coaches Ask Recruits?
FAQ
Does NCSA actually help you get recruited?
Do coaches really look at NCSA?
Why am I getting calls from NCSA?
