Athletic Recruiting

Events Kickstarting the Athletic Recruitment Process DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Many high school athletes dream of continuing to play their sports at the collegiate level, yet, according to the NCAA, out of the approximately 8 million high school athletes, only about 7% actually go on to compete in collegiate sports. That percentage is even lower for students who are aiming for Division I programs. Are you hoping to make the cut?

By Chris, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor and Former Associate Dean of Admission at Wesleyan University So, you’re a high-level athlete who wants to compete collegiately. You’ve committed time, effort, and energy to being the best athlete you can be, competing for your high school team, your club team, working on speed and agility, lifting weights, and developing your skill set. You’ve made an investment in something you love and want to continue at a high level, and it’s time to leverage that in the college search.

Many high school athletes dream of continuing to play their sport at the collegiate level, whether it’s at a Division I, II, or III school. From football and basketball to swimming, baseball, softball, and more, there are a number of sports in which student athletes can be recruited to play at the next level, but it’s important for students to understand the basics of the athletic recruiting process before deciding if it’s an avenue they want to pursue. Just as it is in the typical college search process, recruitment is a two-way street.

Just like playing slots in a casino where the outcome is not something you can predict with any degree of certainty, so, too, is the game of collegiate athletic recruitment. In light of the Operation Varsity Blues scandal, the college admissions process and particularly athletic recruitment practices have come under heavy scrutiny, but the process is actually much more complicated and selective than many believe. Here’s a look at what really goes into being recruited as an athlete at the Division I level.

When watching the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, I was in awe of the high school-aged kids like Chloe Kim and Red Gerard on Team USA. How do they balance their intensive training and extensive travel schedules with homework and school commitments? Surely being an Olympic athlete is impressive, but how do sports affect the college admissions process for regular students?