Begin ACT/SAT prep and register to take the tests
here
. Discover the national ACT and SAT testing dates on
PrepScholar
.
Schedule and take either the Pre-ACT and/ or Pre-SAT. Take each test as many times as you need to achieve the score you want.
- Find the preliminary Pre-SAT (PSAT) dates
here
.
- Find the preliminary Pre-ACT (PLAN) dates
here
.
Download or order the newest version of the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete and read it thoroughly. Keep an eye out for any rule changes.
Meet with your high school guidance counselor to ensure you are fulfilling all core course requirements and that you are still on the right track to play in college.
Continue to take a strong academic course load, take AP or honors classes but only when an A or B average is attainable.
Update your list of 60 colleges on Sports Thread that you’re realistically qualified for (NCAA, NAIA, Junior College).
You should begin to feel like you are establishing relationships with coaches at each college that still interests you:
- 20 safety colleges.
- 20 match colleges.
- 20 dream colleges.
Take the SAT/ ACT. Input your test scores into your Sports Thread athletic profile for coaches to view.
Designate the NCAA to receive your SAT & ACT scores when registering for test. The NCAA Code is #9999 on the official SAT & ACT registration form.
Double check to make sure you are registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center. You have to do this to play in college. Have you high school guidance counselor send your transcripts to the Eligibility Center as soon as possible.
Begin the “Amateurism Certification Process” questionnaire, find more information on this on the
NCAA website.
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8. Seek help from a teacher or tutor if you are struggling in a subject.
Use Sports Thread’s coaches directory to reach out to college coaches via email and/or phone and share with them your athletic schedule so they can attend your games/matches/ meets and tournaments.
Reevaluate your goals and set new ones.
Continue to ask objective third-party individuals such as high school or club coaches for feedback on your strengths and weaknesses as an athlete. Consider hiring a personal trainer or coach to improve upon your weaknesses.
Maintain a good rapport with your high school and club coaches and remind them of your goal to play your sport in college.
Request college applications as early as possible and send them in!
Continue updating your Sports Thread athletic profile with personal athletic statistics, highlight videos, etc for coaches to view. Send coaches your athletic profile via text or email.
Continue to attend sports camps to improve your skills. Post your schedule on your athletic profile for coaches to easily find you and evaluate you.
Stay up to date on your emails and voicemails from coaches, respond to everything and continue to send them periodic update emails using the
Sports Thread email templates
to help guide you.
Refer to the “Organize Inbox” page for help on managing contact with college coaches.
Keep updating and refining your list of colleges on Sports Thread based off of your athletic needs, academic needs and social needs.
Take virtual tours using Sports Thread to be sure you like the school, especially if you are planning to take an official visit or unofficial visit there! Refer to the
"Official vs. Unofficil Visits"
page for more information.
Schedule unofficial visits at schools that are high on your list. This is a great way to get an idea of which schools you are serious about.
Schedule gameday visits if applicable. Note that you are not allowed to contact a coach in any way during dead periods, so try to schedule visits outside of dead periods if you plan on meeting with a coach.
Continue to monitor your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TAKKLE, LinkedIn, etc.) to ensure there is no inappropriate content visible to the public. Coaches monitor this very closely to get an idea of your character, so be careful!
- One bad post could ruin an opportunity for you!