College Advisory Program. Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.

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Christopher Chandler
8 years ago
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1 College Advisory Program

2 The College Advisory Program (C.A.P.) provides high school age players, and their introduction to the college recruiting, scholarship, financial support, and selection process. This process can be bewildering at times and the intent of the C.A.P. is to offer factual advice and assist in every way possible. The Shreveport United Soccer Club staff will provide guidance but will NOT do those tasks that the player and parents can and must do for themselves. The program includes the following services, provided during high school years, to participants: General information seminars providing high school grade appropriate information Individual consultations and assistance related to letter writing, resume writing, college coach contacts, specific player and family issues, and other assistance Printed profiles with player contact and accomplishment information NCAA Div. I, II, III, NAIA, Junior College

The Shreveport United Soccer Club staff will provide guidance but will NOT do those tasks that the player and parents can and must do for themselves.

3 Choosing an Academic Institution? Academics (Undergraduate Degree major/minor, Masters Degree, Doctorate) Soccer Program (coaching staff, facilities, funding, athletic training, athletic department support, coach s contract, conference, overall playing schedule, traditional vs. non-traditional season requirements, travel, study hall, alumni) Geographic location (in/out of state, regionally based, west/east/north/south coast) Climate (cold, hot, humid, change of seasons) Finances (cost of private vs. public school) Demographics (big vs. small) Culture (fraternity/sorority-football mentality campus, religious, dry)

department support, coach s contract, conference, overall playing schedule, traditional vs.

4 Scholarship/Financial Aid A scholarship is a one year commitment and is renewed yearly based on the coach/athletic department s discretion There is NO FOUR YEAR SCHOLARSHIP! The Financial Tender (stating scholarship amount) is a document signed by the Athletic Director and athlete pertaining to the academic calendar year (books, stipend, tuition, housing, etc) A National Letter of Intent is the document signed by the student athlete and Athletic Department stating that the student-athlete will be competing and attending school at the specific institution Both the Financial Tender/National Letter of Intent are signed in the February of the senior year in high school Verbal agreements are worth nothing! Academic Aid/FASA Grants

etc) A National Letter of Intent is the document signed by the student athlete and Athletic Department stating that the student-athlete will be competing and attending school at the

5 Individual/Team Player Profile Name, address, personal contact information Academic Information (SAT/ACT/Class Rank/GPA/ Intended Major) Athletic Information Photograph, # & color of jersey Reference contacts from club/hs/odp/u.s. Soccer Academy ( /cellular & office phone) Club/HS/ODP schedule of games/tournaments DVD (highlights/live game footage) Team booklet/brochure

6 Student-Athletes Initiating the Process Personal letter written to the Head Coach with current photograph DVD (mix of highlights/game footage) Call/ /text the coaching staff regularly Make contact with the Director of Admissions/Financial Aid/Housing Schedule of games/tournaments Apply for the NCAA Clearinghouse Recommendation letters/ s to coaching staff Send any updates on class rank, GPA, SAT/ACT results immediately to the Head Coach/Admissions Department/NCAA Clearinghouse (transcript) Campus Visit Watch a home game on campus

games/tournaments Apply for the NCAA Clearinghouse Recommendation letters/e-mails to coaching staff Send any updates on class rank, GPA,

7 Campus Visit Official Visit vs. Non Official Visit (what s the difference?) Arrange to meet the Head Coach & support staff Stay over night (weekend) and meet the team Tour of campus (housing, soccer facilities, admissions, financial aid, academic counseling/professor in desired major) Watch a home game

and meet the team Tour of campus (housing, soccer facilities, admissions,

8 ACT & SAT Find the dates out well in advance by contacting your academic counselor at your local high school Map out when you will take the test so it does not conflict with your soccer games/training (tests offered multiple times within the year) Go on to the internet and research the dates (SAT/ACT) Register for the exam (send check and get a confirmation) Study for the test/exam well in advance (books, internet, high school counselor) Do not miss a soccer game due to a testing date conflict Do not miss a testing date due to a soccer game/ tournament conflict PLANNING IS PARAMOUNT TO ACHIEVING SUCCESS!

Register for the exam (send check and get a confirmation) Study for the test/exam well in advance (books, internet, high school counselor) Do not miss a

9 Junior Checklist Get moving! Study -- Study -- Study -- Your GPA is VERY important! Call the NCAA Read the NCAA publication -- Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete. Read the NCAA publication -- NCAA Initial- Eligibility Clearinghouse. Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your academic curriculum. Concentrate on the core courses -- GPA based on these classes. Take academic electives -- languages / mathematics / sciences. Involve yourself in extracurricular activities -- clubs / honor society / church group. Get Learning-Disabilities documented. Take the SAT and ACT -- again and again - scores will improve. Become familiar with the Financial Aid and Scholarship process. Start choosing schools -- finalize your wish-list. Know your abilities and choose schools that FIT your needs. Make unofficial visits. Realize that coaches do very little scouting of high school games. BE SEEN -- WITH YOUR PEERS -- this is the year to travel tournaments. Coaches rely on what they see and hear at quality club team tournaments. Participate in ODP -- Coaches rely on what they see and hear at ODP camps. BE SEEN -- Consider attending a school s summer camp. BE SEEN Videos/DVD. SEE -- watch college soccer games -- see what it s like at the next level. Compete - PRACTICE and PLAY with teams at the next level. Practice on your own -- fundamentals and ball skills. Know the Consequences

Concentrate on the core courses -- GPA based on these classes. Take academic electives -- languages / mathematics / sciences.

10 Senior Checklist Improve your GPA. Grades! Grades! Grades! NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Are you registered? Is it in order? NCAA Clearinghouse NCAA Continue to participate in State Select. Continue to practice. Continue to play at the highest level available to you. Know your Academic and Soccer abilities. Be honest with yourself. Do not place too much emphasis on athletic scholarships. Does the school fit your needs? Will you be happy there? Without Soccer? Without the academic/social environment? Finalize your school wish list." Get a calendar! Plan! Know the Consequences Complete your core course requirement. Take the SAT and ACT again scores will improve. SEE Watch college soccer games see what it s like at the next level. BE SEEN travel with your club team It s not too late! Make unofficial visits. Make official visits. Ask questions. Become familiar with the Scholarship process. Become familiar with the Financial Aid process FED-AID Be prepared to complete the Financial Aid forms.

Do not place too much emphasis on athletic scholarships. Does the school fit your needs? Will you be happy there? Without Soccer? Without the academic/social environment?

11 Summary Opportunities exist for those that seize them Be pro-active not re-active Plan, plan & plan with detail The future begins NOW!

COLLEGE INFORMATION GUIDE FOR THE PLAYER

COLLEGE INFORMATION GUIDE FOR THE PLAYER This document is designed to help familiarize you with the college recruiting process. While it contains a lot of helpful information, you still have a lot of research