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Choosing a
School...
Four basic
questions the graduating high school student athlete should ask:
- What do I want
to be doing for a living ten or more years from now?
- Will more
schooling after high school directly lead me to my long range
goal?
- What kind of
school - four year, two year or trade - should I attend?
- Do I really want
to participate in college level sports? Do I still have
the competitive drive and excitement?
Consider
the following when debating various colleges:
- Don't choose a
school simply to follow a group of friends.
- Seek advice from
people you trust, such as parents, coaches, and school
counselors.
- Check out as
many schools as possible, both by reading l about them
and visiting them.
- Decide how far
from home you are willing to travel.
- Don't overlook
the smaller schools.
- Be honest with
coaches. If you are not interested in their school, say
so as to not waste their time and yours.
- No coach can
promise you a starting position or a certain level of
performance.
- Go where you
like the coaches. These are the people you will be
working with.
- Check out the
head coach. Write him a letter, call, or email him and
ask him questions. Request to meet him when visiting campus.
- When making a
college visit, be sure to talk with students and graduates of
the school. Ask them if they got a good education.
Don't talk with just athletes.
- If possible,
visit or talk with a graduate of the college - in your area of
interest.
- Realize
that all academic and athletic programs are not created equal
simply because they are at the collegiate level. Be certain
the college has made a COMMITMENT to be your area of interest,
both academically and athletically. There are reasons for the
their success and lack there of. Work to find out why.
- Remember that
big weight rooms, mirrors, carpeting and stadium size are
mostly for show. The big questions is how successful
have their teams and athletes been.
- Don't play hard
to get! You will only diminish a coaches interest and
make them weak on you. If you have a favorite school,
tell them so. If you are very interested, also
make this known. Remember recruiters and coaches talk
with student athletes every
year, you will only go through the process once.
- Don't be swayed
by promises of scholarships once you get to school or for the
next year. Scholarships are a "money" issue -
know the details and compare each school with the "bottom
line."
- GO TO THE SCHOOL
WHERE YOU THINK YOU'LL FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE!
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