As the parent of a prospective student-athlete, you are constantly bombarded with information from all kinds of sources. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation and misleading content on the internet. It can be extremely stressful and overwhelming at times. Ultimately, recruiting is about finding the school that is the best fit for your son or daughter.
My goal is to help each player that I work with find the best FIT (Academically, Financially, Socially, and Athletically) for the student-athlete and their family. But what does find the Best “FIT” mean? Here is a breakdown of some key questions and thoughts to consider when looking at schools to determine FIT:
Academics: Does the school offer your major or desired program of study? What student-athlete support services are available (Tutoring; Supplemental Instruction; Career Services; Study Abroad; etc.)? You may also want to look at the student-faculty ratio for each institution you are considering. Small class sizes allow for more interaction with your professors, but also requires more class participation. Does the school mandate or offer experiential learning (internship) opportunities? If you are interested in pursuing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) major, does the school offer undergraduate research opportunities?
Finances: Is the school affordable for your family? The average college student is now graduating with almost $30,000 in student loan debt. In today’s world, you must be smart and strategic with your educational choices. Having a plan, but more importantly, executing the plan can significantly reduce the cost of your education. It’s extremely important to do your research. I strongly encourage every student-athlete to go through the process – do not let the sticker price (the cost listed on the school website) scare you away. Speak with the financial aid office and submit your FAFSA as early as possible. Class of 2021 student-athletes will be able to complete their FAFSA for the 2021-22 school year beginning October 1, 2020. Many schools have Financial Aid calculators on their website, which allows you to input your family financial data and get an estimated financial aid package. I also encourage families to look for outside scholarships – many businesses, churches, as well as sororities and fraternities offer college scholarships to graduating seniors.
Social: The location and campus environment can have a tremendous impact on your college experience. Are there student organizations on campus that match your interests? If not, is there an opportunity for you to create that organization? What are the campus demographics? The great thing about college is that it exposes you to people with different backgrounds, life experiences, perspectives, opinions, and viewpoints. Most of the learning in college takes place outside of the classroom – you want to pick a place that will allow you to broaden your horizons.
Athletics: Is there an opportunity to compete for playing time? Does the style of play complement your skill set? Does the coach develop players? Does the coach graduate his/her players? Perhaps, most importantly, were you a priority recruit for the coaching staff? If not, you may want to consider other options.
Choosing a school based upon the best FIT will give you a much more fulfilling and enjoyable college experience than chasing a level will.