Academics
College Counseling
College Athlete Recruitment
Prospective College Athlete Recruitment Timeline
The recruitment process for student-athletes is most successful when students, families, coaches, and college counselors work together. Students are encouraged to take ownership of the process while building academic strength, athletic development, leadership experience, and communication skills.The timeline is organized by school year and includes guidance on academics, athletics, NCAA eligibility, communication with coaches, visits, and application planning.
General Policies and Procedures
- Students who want unofficial transcripts sent to college coaches must request a transcript through the registrar’s office.
- Students and families are encouraged to stay in communication with the College Counseling Office and athletic staff throughout the recruiting process.
- Students should become familiar with NCAA recruiting calendars and sport-specific recruiting rules.
List of 4 items.
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Third Form Year
Academic Focus- Prioritize strong academic performance from the beginning of high school.
- Understand that coaches recruit strong students as well as strong athletes.
- Begin planning courses that align with NCAA eligibility requirements.
- Continue improving sport-specific skills and conditioning.
- Participate in camps, clinics, showcases, and development programs when appropriate.
- Ask coaches for honest feedback about strengths, weaknesses, growth areas, mindset, and team contribution.
- Begin tracking statistics, awards, leadership roles, and accomplishments.
- Stay involved in multiple sports when possible.
- Build leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
- Learn how to accept constructive feedback.
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Fourth Form Year
College Counseling- Meet with a college counselor to discuss academic planning and standardized testing.
- Continue selecting NCAA-approved core courses if considering Division I or II athletics.
- Research colleges that may fit both academic and athletic interests.
- Begin developing an athletic résumé in Maia including:
- Statistics
- Awards
- Positions played
- Leadership experiences
- Academic information
- Work with coaches to begin creating highlight videos.
- Attend camps and showcases connected to schools of interest.
- Learn appropriate ways to communicate with coaches.
- Continue exploring possible college matches.
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center near the end of the year.
- Learn the NCAA core GPA requirements.
- Continue participating in multiple sports, if possible.
- Seek course-planning advice before Fifth Form year.
- Monitor NCAA recruiting calendars and recruiting periods carefully.
- Understand differences among contact periods, dead periods, official visits, and unofficial visits.
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Fifth Form
Academic and Testing Planning- Meet with the college counselor to calculate NCAA core GPA.
- Create a testing plan for the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL if needed.
- Finalize senior-year academic schedule with counselor input.
- Request two teacher recommendations after discussing options with the college counselor.
- Meet with coaches to discuss:
- Appropriate college levels
- School lists
- Communication strategies
- Recruiting videos
- Showcase participation
- Unofficial visits
- Recruiting Logos
- Update athletic résumés and highlight films regularly.
- Monitor NCAA recruiting calendars and recruiting periods carefully.
- Understand differences among contact periods, dead periods, official visits, and unofficial visits.
- Discuss recruiting-related Early Decision opportunities carefully.
- Understand that Early Decision is binding.
- Families should review financial aid expectations before committing.
- Use financial aid estimators and discuss affordability with counselors.
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Sixth Form
College Applications- Meet with counselors and coaches together to determine the final recruiting strategy.
- Continue updating résumés and highlight videos.
- Contact additional schools if interests expand.
- Complete the Common Application or institutional applications.
- Review essays and applications with a college counselor.
- Pay close attention to deadlines.
- Schedule official and unofficial visits as appropriate.
- Understand the difference between Division I/II official visits and Division III visit policies.
- Follow school procedures for excused absences related to college visits.
- Complete all required financial aid documents including FAFSA and CSS Profile when applicable.
- Monitor deadlines carefully.
NCAA Recruiting Timeline Highlights
List of 5 items.
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Division I
Sophomore Year- Coaches are limited in how and when they can contact students.
- Recruiting materials and camp information may begin arriving depending on the sport.
- Unofficial visits are generally allowed.
- Official visits are generally not yet permitted.
- Electronic communication often becomes permissible beginning September 1 of Fifth Form year for many sports.
- Coaches may begin calling athletes in many sports.
- Some off-campus contact becomes allowed.
- Official visits may begin for many sports.
- Coaches may communicate more freely.
- Official visits continue.
- Recruiting activity intensifies as athletes make commitments.
- Signing periods and National Letter of Intent timelines become important.
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Division II
- Recruiting communication generally begins earlier than Division I.
- Students may receive recruiting materials and communication beginning before junior year.
- Official visits can begin before junior year.
- Unlimited unofficial visits are generally allowed.
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Division III
- Communication rules are typically less restrictive.
- Coaches may communicate with athletes earlier.
- Official visits may begin during junior year.
- Academic fit remains especially important.
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Important Recruiting Recommendations
- Maintain a strong social media presence and online reputation.
- Build relationships gradually with coaches.
- Attend camps strategically rather than randomly.
- Keep athletic information accurate and updated.
- Focus on long-term growth rather than early offers.
- Continue developing leadership and character.
- Include family, counselors, and coaches in major decisions.
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Additional Recruiting Insights
Student-athletes and families commonly note the following:- Many Division I coaches begin actively responding after sophomore year.
- Coaches may already be scouting athletes before direct communication is allowed.
- Junior year is often the most active communication and recruiting period.
- Division III, NAIA, and junior college timelines can differ significantly.
- Coaches value honesty, coachability, work ethic, academics, and leadership in addition to athletic ability.
- Highlight videos, camp performance, and academic readiness all play major roles in recruiting outcomes.
Athletics and College Admissions
Athletics is a big part of many college communities, and a student who brings significant athletic talent to the college admissions process will be of interest to college coaches. Furthermore, athletics may improve a student’s chances of admission. Students should talk with their Westminster coach(es) to determine what kind of impact they might make on a college team (NCAA Division I, II, or III) and whether they are interested in committing to college athletics.Students interested in playing a sport in college should consider the following:
- If any of your prospective colleges are Division I or II, you must register with the NCAA. Registration is available online at www.eligibilitycenter.org. If you plan to visit these colleges and speak to coaches over the summer, you should register before the end of your Fifth Form year.
- Get information from your Westminster coach about the different colleges’ programs by the spring of your Fifth Form year.
- Inform the college coaches of any camps you plan to attend in the upcoming summer. Ask your Westminster coach for recommendations on camps with high visibility among college coaches.
- Prepare an athletic résumé and cover letter, including athletic background, honors/awards received, out-of-season participation, and times/stats which support your athletic competence. You may also want to include academic statistics such as GPA, standardized test scores, honors, and awards.
- Work with your Westminster coach and your college counselor to generate a list of prospective colleges and craft an email to the coach of the program you are interested in.
- Send your résumé to the particular coaches at the colleges of interest and follow up with a phone call or a visit when you are on campus.
- Give your Westminster coach and your college counselor a copy of the résumé and keep them informed of additional communication and correspondence.
- Ask your coach to follow up by telephone or email with the college coach.
List of 2 frequently asked questions.
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