Regardless of your athletic ability or academic standing, you can dramatically increase your chances of being recruited by being prepared and polished. Here’s a checklist of important tasks that you’ll need to undertake at various points in the recruiting process, beginning freshman year of high school.

Academics:

• Thoroughly review the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
• Use Division I core course worksheet inside the NCAA guide to set specific academic goals and plan a core course schedule
• Begin SAT/ACT test preparation. Sign up for a free practice SAT or ACT to determine your prep needs
• Keep your grades up. Try a free homework help session
• Determine your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) to familiarize yourself with the collegiate financial aid process
• Apply to all colleges you are interested in attending

Athletic:

• Join a club or team outside of your high school that will provide more competition and better coaching (if applicable to your sport)
• Attend camps and combines if invited by a coach who is heavily recruiting you or invites you to a one-day pro-rated recruiting camp as a prospect

 Recruiting:

• Start a correspondence log to keep track of your communications with college coaches
• Begin building a scouting report to present to college coaches
• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and make sure your high school counselor sends your transcript at the end of junior year
• Plan official and unofficial visits to local college campuses, always contacting the coaches beforehand to arrange a meeting
• Create a highlight or skills video using sport-specific video guidelines
• Compile a list of target schools based on your qualifications