The recruiting process can be difficult and confusing.  That's why getting a head start can help you be more prepared and make the process easier.  Being prepared and doing your homework ahead of time will help you achieve recruiting success.  Here are tips on getting started:

Things You Will Need

• A profile or sports resume
• Recruiting Tape
• Register and take the SAT’s, ACT’s and SAT II’s

Sports Resume/Profile
Create a profile or sports resume that you can send to colleges you are considering.  This will be your first impression so it's important to make it a good one. Make sure your parent or a coach proofreads your profile before you send it.  Your profile/resume should include:

• Athletic success/achievements
• Academic success/achievements
• SAT/ACT scores
• GPA
• Recruiting Tape
• Sport schedule and summer camp/tournament schedule
• 3 Letters of Recommendation

This is your time to shine.  Don't be afraid to brag about yourself as a player and a student. 

Recruiting Tape
Prepare a recruiting tape to give to coaches. Videos should include at least 10-15 minutes of unedited game footage, and can also include 2-3 minutes of highlights. It's important to make sure a number and jersey color can identify you.

Your College List
Begin narrowing your list of potential colleges. Some factors to consider are:

• Eligibility standards
• Academic programs
• Level of athletics
• School type
• Distance from home
• Cost of attendance

Make sure your list has a variety of colleges on it.  You want to include a few "sure things" and a couple of "long shots".  Don't self yourself short.

Contacting Coaches
Once you've created and narrowed down your college list, you can start contacting coaches. When contacting a coach in person, through email or mail, make sure to include:

• Sport schedule and summer camp/tournament schedule
• Copies of your transcript, SAT/ACT scores, and junior or senior class schedule 
• Letters of Recommendation from coaches/teachers

Things to Do Along the Way

• Your Unofficial Visits. Create a tentatively plan for your “unofficial visits” and see what the requirements are for admission.
• Summer Camps. Consider attending summer camps at the schools you are most interested in.
• Be Timely. Return all questionnaires and requested information to the schools you might consider in a timely fashion.
• Honesty is Important. If you know you are not considering a particular school, let that coach know. 
• Be proactive. If you are interested in a particular school, make sure they know it.
• Know NCAA Rules. Remember that NCAA coaches are restricted by NCAA rules regarding phone calls and ability to contact players. The most efficient way to correspond with coaches is via E-mail until you have finished your junior year.
• Stay Focused Academically. NCAA eligibility standards keep getting tougher. The grades you earn now will determine admission to college, initial NCAA eligibility, and your future success.
• Be Well-Rounded. Play your desired sport, but don’t burn yourself out. Attend camps and play on club or select teams, but not to the exclusion of everything else. Coaches and Admissions counselors look for well-rounded student-athletes.