Contrary to popular belief very few, very, very, very few players receive full scholarships. The vast majority of players are on partial scholarships, which can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Don’t worry, everyone lies about who’s recruiting them, how much they are getting, and where they are eventually going to play.

In the past couple of years, most coaches have been moving towards a come and show me mentality as far as scholarship money. They want you to come and show them you can play and contribute and then they will increase or award you scholarship money. A good scholarship these days is a tuition + books scholarship. An example: A Great scholarship for a school like UC Santa Barbara (California resident) would be a Tuition + books package =$6,000 approx., for a school like San Diego State, Tuition + books =$3,000 approx. For those of you with strong academic scores, you will also be eligible to receive academic scholarship money to go along with any soccer money.

By October 1 all the Juniors and Seniors need to contact coaches at schools they are interested in attending and let them know that they will be playing. You can research schools and find addresses and email addresses online at the schools athletics website. Other sites with info, scores, records are: http://www.ncsaa.com/scoreboard.html

http://www.soccerbuzz.com

http://www.ncaa.com

http://www.ncaa.org/conferences/d1Links.html

To play soccer in college at the Division 1 or 2 level you need to have completed the minimum academic requirements for the NCAA to allow you to play. These requirements are the minimum and you would still have to be accepted into your school of choice. Division 1 & 2 players also have to be cleared by the NCAA clearing house. Division 3 & NAIA players do not have to abide by these requirements. Attached to this letter are lists of schools that have registered and recruited at Surf Cup last year. Even if your preferred schools are not listed on these lists, you still need to contact them and let them know. KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN. CONTACT AND RESEARCH MANY SCHOOLS.

BE REALISTIC: Do not assume that because you are not an ODP or ALL CIF player with great credentials that you cannot be recruited. There are not enough big names to go around. Over one thousand colleges compete in soccer. You can compete at many of the schools seeking decent players.

BE REALISTIC: When you set out to be recruited do not involve schools that you would not or could not go to if you were accepted. It is a waste of everyone’s time and money.

BE REALISTIC: Most young athletes are disappointed in their senior year because they assume a college coach is going to find them. Coaches do not have the time or money to search for athletes. You must help them by selling yourself.

BE REALISTIC: You are going to college to continue your education. You should be using soccer to help you complete that goal. Make your decision based on academic and social considerations NOT soccer. Carefully consider whether you want to be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond.

BE REALISTIC: Limit your marketing efforts to twenty to twenty-five schools.

BE REALISTIC: Full ride athletic scholarships are so rare they might just as well not exist. You are pursuing a package of Academic and Financial assistance. Understand what is possible and pursue that. The stories of a coach pulling into your driveway with money hanging out of his pockets are not realistic.

BE REALISTIC: Academic assistance for admissions is the easiest form of help to get. Do not put yourself in the position of being recruited too high academically. If you should be New Mexico State do not try for Stanford. One level over your SAT or GPA is about as high as you want to push the academic help. Be realistic: Do not fall in love with the first coach who calls and says he wants you. You are going to spend four years living and playing somewhere. Be absolutely positive you will be happy in the school you end up in.

BE REALISTIC: Do not attempt to be recruited to a school unless there is at least some reason to believe you can get enough financial assistance to go there. A school that cost $25,000.00 has to come up with a lot more money to recruit a middle class kid than a school that costs $15,000.00. If that school only has five scholarships they probably cannot afford you.

BE REALISTIC: When you talk to coaches they are trying to sell you on their program and you are trying to sell them on your abilities. This can lead to a lot of misunderstandings. If a school makes your final list, check it out very carefully. Twenty-five percent of all freshmen drop out the first year. When a player talks to coaches it MUST be the player doing the talking; Mom and Dad are not being recruited.

BE REALISTIC: Applications are due around Christmas. By February you start getting anxious about acceptances and offers. You will be very lucky if you can sign with a school before May.

If you intend to participate in NCAA Division I or II athletics as a freshman in college, you must be registered with and be certified as eligible by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. Refer to the Academic Eligibility Section to determine the initial-eligibility standards that apply to you. Please note that initial-eligibility certification pertains only to whether you meet the NCAA requirements for participation as a freshman in Division I or II athletics and has no bearing on your admission to a particular Division I or II institution.

You should apply for certification after your junior year in high school if you are sure you wish to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a freshman at a Division I or II institution. If you fail to submit all required documents, your incomplete file will be discarded after three years, requiring you to pay a new fee if certification is requested after that time.

There is no deadline to register with the clearinghouse; however, you must be certified before receiving an athletics scholarship, practicing and competing at a Division I or II institution.

Students have two options for registering with the clearinghouse. You may complete your registration online at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net or by completing and mailing the Student Release Form to the address included on the form.

If you have attended multiple high schools since ninth grade, you must have an official transcript from each school. These transcripts can either come from each school or the high school from which you are graduating. The transcripts must come by mail directly from the high school (not from you). You should give the pink and yellow copies of the student-release form to the counselor at the high school from which you will be graduating. You may also need to make copies of this form and send them to the counselors at the other schools that you have attended. Faxed transcripts are not acceptable under any circumstances.

If you've been "home-schooled" during all of Grades 9 through 12, you do not have to register with the clearinghouse. Your certification status will be determined through an initial-eligibility waiver. If you attended a "traditional" school for some portion of Grades 9 through 12, you are required to register with the clearinghouse.

Qualifying test scores are required for participation at both Division I and Division II colleges. If you intend to participate at either a Division I or II school, the test scores may be taken from your official high-school transcript or be sent to the clearinghouse directly from the testing agency.

When you register to take the ACT or the SAT, you can mark code 9999 so that the clearinghouse will be one of the institutions receiving your scores; or alternatively, you can submit a request (and fee) for an "Additional Score Report" to the appropriate testing agency by indicating code 9999 on your request form.

The clearinghouse will send your eligibility status to any Division I or II college that requests it. Please note that the clearinghouse will not send your eligibility information at your request; rather, the college must make the request for that information. Additionally, if no member institution requests your eligibility status, a final certification decision may not be processed.

NCAA Clearinghouse Schedule.

This process requires quite a few people to supply the proper information about you, at the proper time, a number of times. It is up to you to make sure that everything arrives at the proper place - at the proper time - every time. The NCAA says:" It is your responsibility to make sure the Clearinghouse has the documents it needs to certify you." Junior Year: Before you schedule your senior year classes you should determine your likely eligibility status. From your High School Guidance Department: Get a Clearinghouse application booklet. Get a copy of your High School's Approved Course List. Get a copy of your High School Transcript. Counting ONLY courses taken from grades 9 on, that are on your transcript at this time, determine which fit the NCAA CORE requirements (from the Approved Course List and the Clearinghouse booklet) add and then average the result. Note: If you have a question about a course that is not approved - check with your Guidance Counselor - then call the Clearinghouse and ask (the phone number is in the application booklet) for an Official Rule Interpretation. Do not rely on what anyone, EXCEPT the Clearinghouse tells you!

Senior Year: Keep your grades up. There is no "senioritis" for athletes. Look for 3.0 or better in all core courses. September; If you did not determine your eligibility status, as a Junior, do it before you apply to the Clearinghouse (See above). From your High School Guidance Department get a Clearinghouse application. Fill out the application and submit it according to the instructions in the NCAA Clearinghouse Booklet. Be sure to note your PIN number, you will need it later. When you sign up for the SAT and ACT be sure to use the code for the Clearinghouse (9999) as one of the colleges that you want to receive your scores. If you have already taken these tests you must contact them and have your scores sent to the Clearinghouse. You can do this over the phone - paying by credit card is the fastest (The phone numbers are on the ACT/SAT applications).

Every time you take or re-take these test have your scores sent to the Clearinghouse.

November; About six weeks after you apply, you should receive your Initial Eligibility Report. If you have not received the report call the Clearinghouse and find out why. You will need your PIN and SSN to get any information. At this point, you will probably be declared initially ineligible because you have not completed your core requirement. Do not get excited, all you are looking for, at this point, is permission for Official Visits.

Final eligibility will include: 13 Core courses with a GPA that meets the NCAA requirements. High School Graduation Transcript. ACT/SAT scores that meets the NCAA requirements. The highest of each SAT score is the one that will count. For instance if you score 500 Math, 400 Verbal (900) on the first test and 400 Math, 500 Verbal (900) on the re-test your NCAA score is 1000 (500 Math + 500 Verbal). If you have any questions about the Initial Eligibility Report call the Clearinghouse.

December to May; Six weeks after you take or re-take any SAT or ACT test you should receive a new Initial Eligibility Report. If you have not received the report - call the Clearinghouse and find out why.

June; Before you graduate go to your High School Guidance Department and inform them that they MUST send your Graduation Transcript to the NCAA Clearinghouse and the College you will attend in the fall.

July; About one week after graduation go to your High School Guidance Department and make sure they sent your Graduation Transcript to the NCAA Clearinghouse and the College you will attend in the fall. About six weeks after your graduation you should receive your Eligibility Report. If you have not received the report call the Clearinghouse and find out why. You will be reporting for pre-season sometime after August 10. Plan to have your Eligibility Report by then. You are the only one responsible for your eligibility!

Some questions to consider asking a coach who shows interest in having you play for their school:

What positions will I play on your team? It's not always obvious. Most coaches want to be flexible so that you are not disappointed. Describe the other players competing at the same position. If there is a former high-school all-American at that position, you may want to take that into consideration. This will give you clues as to what year you might be a starter.

Can I "redshirt" (not play, but be allowed to attend practices) my first year? Find out how common it is to red shirt and how that will affect graduation. Does the school redshirt you if you are injured? What are the physical requirements each year? Philosophies of strength and conditioning vary by institution. You may be required to maintain a certain weight. How would you best describe your coaching style? Every coach has a particular style that involves different motivational techniques and discipline.

You need to know if a coach's teaching style does not match your learning style. What is the game plan? For team sports, find out what kind of offense and defense is employed. For individual sports, find out how you are seeded and how to qualify for conference and national championships. When does the head coach's contract end? Don't make any assumptions about how long a coach will be at a school. If the coach is losing and the contract ends in two years, you may have a new coach.

Describe the preferred, invited and uninvited walk-on situation. How many make it, compete and earn a scholarship? Different teams treat walk-ons differently. Academics How good is the department in my major? Smaller colleges can have very highly rated departments. A team's reputation is only one variable to consider.

What percentage of players on scholarship graduate in four years? This will tell you about the quality of their commitment to academics. The team's grade-point average also is a good indicator of the coach's commitment to academics. College Life Describe the typical class size. At larger schools, classes are likely to be larger and taught by teaching assistants. Average class size is important to the amount of attention you receive. Describe in detail your academic support program. For example: Study-hall requirements, tutor availability, staff, class load, faculty cooperation. This is imperative for marginal students. Find a college that will take the 3.000 students and help them get a 3.500 GPA.

Describe the typical day for a student-athlete. This will give you a good indication of how much time is spent in class, practice, studying and traveling. It also will give you a good indication of what coaches expect. What are the residence halls like? Make sure you would feel comfortable in study areas, community bathrooms and laundry facilities. Number of students in a room and coed dorms are other variables to consider. Will I be required to live on campus throughout my athletics participation? If the answer is yes, ask whether there are exceptions. Apartment living may be better than dorm living. How Many Transfers OUT/IN have you had in the last couple of years? Some coaches lose 2-4 players every year. That shows a PROBLEM with the coach or the program! How Many Players Have Quit the Program? Walk-on? Recruited? Financial Aid How much financial aid is available for summer school? There is no guarantee. Get a firm commitment. You may need to lighten your normal load and go to summer school in order to graduate in four years. You can take graduate courses and maintain your eligibility.

What are the details of financial aid at your institution? What does my scholarship cover? What can I receive in addition to the scholarship and how do I get more aid? How long does my scholarship last? Most people think a "full ride" is good for four years. Financial aid is available on a one-year renewable basis. If I'm injured, what happens to my financial aid? A grant-in-aid is not guaranteed past a one-year period even for injuries. It is important to know if a school has a commitment to assist student-athletes for more than a year after they have been injured.

What are my opportunities for employment while I'm a student? Find out if you can be employed in-season, out-of-season or during vacation periods. Information to Include When Writing to Coaches Your goal is to make you a real person to the coach or admissions officer who is reviewing your file. Tell him or her what it is that makes you special - a "cut above" the hundreds, even thousands of others who are seeking the same opportunity as you. Consider the following: What are your goals as a student? As an athlete? For this year? For next? For a Career? How does your present performance measure up to your: Goals? Academic strengths? Level of success? Choice of electives?

Do your SAT scores reflect your current academic progress? What do they say about your potential? If your SAT's are low, does your school record better reflect your ability and potential? Who says so? How's your commitment? How do you play as an individual? Are you a team player? Even if your team is not having a winning season, how does your contribution make a difference? What are your outside interests? Are you "well rounded?" What extracurricular activities have you participated in? Held any offices? Won any awards? Do you work after school? Where? How many hours? If your marks are still good, this may indicate you know how to manage your time well. What is the one thing about your high school career or athletic career that you are most proud of? What has frustrated you most?

Sample Intro Letter. Personalize each letter to each School/Coach !! Do not just duplicate this letter 20 times. If you need help just email or call !!!

Hege Riise
123 Main Street
Raleigh, NC 12345
(123)555-1212
abc@abc.com

March 1, 2005

Mr. Marc Francis
Women’s Soccer Coach University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas 66045

Dear Coach Francis, I am a junior at Miller Place High School and I am interested in attending the University of Virginia to study communications. I am also very interested in the possibility of playing soccer at Virginia. I have been the starting central midfielder on my high school team for the past two years earning all-county honors each of those seasons. On my OJSC Northstars girls U/16 club team, I play an attacking midfielder and striker. I am enclosing my athletic profile for your review. My background and skills may be a good fit for the University of Virginia. If this is the case, I would love to hear from you. My Northstars Girls U/16 Club Team is playing at the Texas Shootout in Houston in may/ June and also the Surf Cup, in San Diego, CA on November 28-30, 2005. Please let me know if you will be at these tournaments and I will be happy to forward you our game schedule. Thank you and I hope to see you shortly.

Very Truly Yours,

Your Name
Enclosure

TERMINOLOGY: An athletic scholarship is money given to athletes for college expenses: tuition, room, board, books, and lab fees. In return for this scholarship, an athlete is expected to play a sport for a particular college. Schools are allowed to give partial scholarships so more players can receive some financial help.

IVY LEAGUE does not allow athletic scholarships. Only Division I and II schools are allowed to give athletic scholarships. Division III schools disguise their scholarships as financial or academic aid/scholarships.

• No more than five players may play together on the same non-college team out of season.
• No player may play on a club team until after May 1, and then only with the Athletic Director’s permission until school is over for the spring term.
• No player may have contact with his coach in a practice or playing environment in the off-season.
• Players can accept only limited payment for employment while in school to prevent them from being paid or bribed to play for the school, even if the payments come from friends or family and not from anyone associated with the school.
• Colleges may travel outside of the United States for tournament play only once every four years.

If you find an article about college soccer in the newspaper, it focuses on Division 1 schools like the University of Missouri, University of Kansas or Nebraska. If you read an article about men’s soccer you may read an article about Indiana, Creighton, or locally UMKC or in recent years, occasionally Rockhurst. You rarely see Park, Baker or other local NAIA schools covered unless they have a tragic accident or reach nationals. Even in publications like Soccer America, only rarely are schools other those playing in NCAA, Division I mentioned.

This lack of coverage stems from the ignorance of many sports reporters at major newspapers. They assume that soccer is like football and basketball; that there is a drop off in quality from Division I to Division II. This lack of knowledge is compounded with only Division I teams receiving ink, readers also tend to believe that the quality of soccer is lower outside of Division I ranks. Many transplants to America from Europe or South America believe that the division ranking in college corresponds to the divisions of professional soccer in Europe; that the worst first division teams are better than the best second division teams. Both ideas are wrong. The truth is that the best Second Division teams are every bit the equal, and as often as not beat, Division I teams.

The NCAA classifications of Division I, Division II and Division III have nothing to do with the quality of a soccer program. Rather the classifications reflect the schools commitment to the number of varsity sports that are offered. Division I schools must offer more varsity sports to maintain Division I status than Division II schools. They also operate under different rules when it comes to player recruitment and play outside of school. Generally, Division II schools offer fewer athletic scholarships than Division I programs; however, if you examine each program you will find comparable levels of financial aid. At Division II schools it comes in the form of grants and non-athletic scholarships more frequently than at Division I programs.

The equality between top Division I and Division II programs is demonstrated every year when top Division II teams such as Seattle Pacific square off against Washington or Southern Connecticut meets Connecticut University. For example, two years ago Washington was ranked 4th among NCAA Division I schools and Seattle Pacific was ranked 8th among Division II programs, yet Seattle Pacific defeated Washington at Washington 1-0. Similar results occur every year.

NCAA Division III programs do tend to be less competitive than Division II and Division I programs, but this is more often a reflection of the fact that Division III schools have opted not offer any athletic scholarships. It would be a mistake to underestimate the top Division III programs, however. Division III colleges such as Wheaton, outside of Chicago, have produced many players who are now in the professional ranks.