After putting in all of the hard work throughout your recruiting process, you then must go through the application process just like any other student. Depending on where you are in your recruiting process, you may apply to only one school you have committed to, or several schools because you are keeping your options open.
It is important that during this time you continue to stay organized and manage your time wisely to make sure you are submitting all of your forms and college applications on time. Here we will break down the important steps you must do during your college application process.
Test Scores and College Applications
SAT and ACT Scores
For some colleges or universities, SAT/ACT scores are the most important aspect of your application. You will also find that for other colleges and universities, test scores are not required or not as heavily considered. When deciding which test to take, we encourage you to take a practice test of both to see what you score better on.
From there, you can focus your time on one test. Here you're able to see when tests are available in your area. You are able to take the SAT or ACT as many times as you want. However, you should improve your score every time you take the test. We recommend taking the test no more than 5 times.
Some schools will allow you to use your “Super Score”, which takes the best overall grade from each section from different test dates. Do your research to see whether schools you are applying to accept Super Scoring.
The better your scores on the SAT/ ACTs, the more options you will have when looking at colleges. Standardized test scores can also help your application in admissions if your GPA is not as high as the college typically accepts. Lastly, these standardized tests can qualify you for scholarships, grants, and merit aid from colleges or outside organizations.
Applying to Colleges
Depending where you are in your college recruiting process, the number of schools you are applying to may be different. If you are a recruited student-athlete, a college coach will most likely ask you to apply early decision, depending on the school's admissions process. This process usually begins around November 1st. Remember, if you apply early decision to a school and you are accepted, this is a binding decision and you must attend.
There are other application choices as well, including Early Action, Rolling (no set deadline), or Regular Decision. Each of these applications will have different deadlines. It is important to stay organized and know when these deadlines are.
The admissions process will also vary by college. Some schools will require the SAT or ACT, and some will not. Other schools can require a high school writing sample. It is important to visit the school's admissions site to review the requirements they will need for the admissions process.
Also, try to find out what schools are on the Common App. This will allow you to avoid filling out the same information multiple times for schools that accept applications through there.
How Financial Aid Factors into the College Application Process
Understanding Your Financial Aid Package
As you start to narrow down your target list and figure out what schools you are applying to, it is important to evaluate the cost of each school. You may have received some athletic scholarships to some schools and more merit-based to others. However, to ensure you are taking advantage of all avenues of financial aid, you and your family should be applying to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
FAFSA is the most common form of financial aid. This form allows you to apply for financial aid from the federal and state governments in addition to college-specific aid. Many families take themselves out of the running for financial aid before they have even applied.
The most common example of this is assuming your family makes too much money to receive aid. The reality is that there is no income cut-off to apply for FAFSA, and many schools will not consider you for academic scholarships without filling out your FAFSA. It is free to fill out, so there is no excuse not to at the very least see if you're available for aid.
Where Do I Fill Out FAFSA?
You can access the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. There, you will be able to watch a video on how to fill out the FAFSA form.
When Should I Fill Out FAFSA?
Each college has different deadlines when financial aid forms need to be filed and received by the college. Check on the FAFSA website when these forms open, but October 1st is typically the earliest you can complete the form.
Each family is different when determining the right time to file forms. One thing to remember is that choosing a time when you demonstrate the greatest need for that year is advantageous. There are a few scenarios that are exceptions to this:
- If the school awards first-come-first-serve aid, you should file your FAFSA as soon as the application comes out.
- If you reside in a state that awards state aid on a first-come-first-serve basis until the funds run out.
- Your first financial aid form is due before this point.
What Information Do You Need?
- Social security number (including your parents’ if you are a dependent student)
- Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
- Driver’s license number, if applicable
- Federal tax information or returns (including parents’ or spouse’s, if applicable)
- Records of untaxed income
- Bank account, investment, and real estate asset information
- An FSA ID to sign electronically.
Note: A new FAFSA form came out December 2023, which significantly reduced the amount of questions on the form.
Making Sure You Are NCAA Eligible
If you are planning on playing at a Division I or Division II college or university, it is important to make sure you have met all of the eligibility requirements before you start your application process. To do this, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The NCAA will review your SAT or ACT scores and your academic transcript to ensure you are academically eligible to play.
They will also be checking your amateur status to ensure you have not played professionally at any point.
If you have not received your eligibility number, you can register through the NCAA website here.
Being a recruited student-athlete does not guarantee that you will be admitted into the college or university. Every student-athlete must go through the admissions process and send their application materials on time. Do not let the admissions process overwhelm you! Take each application one at a time. You are almost at the finish line!