THE JUNIOR SPRING CHECKLIST!!!
1) It's important to backtrack at least 3 months, from the month you're currently in, to make sure you're up to date. To help you out, the last 3 months is the first grouping on this page.
2) Don't get overwhelmed! Focus on one month and one step at a time.
3) Our calls are setup to help you with the part of the process that you're on. SIGN UP HERE!!!
JUNIOR (DEC, JAN, FEB) : WINTER CHECKLIST
December
- Estimate your financial aid.The FAFSA4caster gives you a free early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid, so you can get a general idea of how much you’ll receive from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as what you have to make up in athletic/academic awards and loans.
- Register for your first ACT or SAT.This will give you enough time to retake the test to increase your scores and your chances of landing an academic scholarship. Don’t forget to add your scores to your NCSA Profile.
- Start tracking your NCAA eligibility.If you’re interested in D1 or D2 colleges, make sure you have a good understanding of the NCAA Sliding Scale, including GPA and test score requirements. While the NCAA is no longer requiring the SAT/ACT for 2021 or 2022 grads, they have not made any changes to other grad years.
- Come up with a list of recruiting resolutions.Planning ahead and setting SMART goals will help you stay on track throughout the recruiting process. Focus on what you want to accomplish, and what steps you need to take to get you there.
- Pick up the phone.The average college coach gets less than seven phone calls a week from recruits, so you’re guaranteed to make an impression. Plan what you’re going to say ahead of time, jot down a few questions and key facts and practice with a parent or teammate.
- Get organized.Keep track of where you are in the recruiting process for each school on your target list, top matches and favorites. NCSA’s Progress Cards help you visualize your to-do’s and next action steps.
- Review your transcript.After you finish the semester, review your transcript to ensure that you’re on track to meet the NCAA core course requirements. Remember, you should have 10 completed core courses before the end of the year, and seven of those will be locked in.
- Keep track of important dates:
- Regularly check the D1 and D2 recruiting calendars.
- Make sure you understand how the NCAA Recruiting Rules and Updates affect juniors.
JUNIOR (MAR, APR, MAY) : SPRING CHECKLIST
March
April
May
- Compare colleges on your target list.
From college costs and types of scholarships offered to national rankings and more, comparing colleges can be a time-consuming process. See what types of criteria you should be looking for by downloading our college comparison chart. - Schedule a college visit.
Both virtual and in-person unofficial and official visits provide a great opportunity to check out a college’s campus, meet the coach and take a tour of a program’s athletic facilities—and maybe even catch a game or team practice.
April
- Take—or retake—the ACT or SAT.
By now, you should have already taken your first ACT or SAT or completed a practice test. Don’t forget to add your best score to your profile. Keep in mind that the ACT changed its testing experience in September 2020 and the SAT is transitioning to digital testing in March 2023. - Meet with your high school guidance counselor.
Map out how many core courses you have left to take to meet NCAA eligibility requirements and ask them to send your transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the school year. - Attend a college camp or recruiting event this summer.
Make sure you know what type of camp is best for you by doing your research ahead of time. Narrow down your options by reaching out to coaches on your target list of schools to see if they’re hosting or attending any upcoming camps, combines or showcases.
May
- Learn how to navigate the college application process.
You’ll be applying to schools in just a few months—which means it’s time to start preparing now. Staying focused and knowing the steps you’ll have to take will make going through the process less stressful and overwhelming come fall. - Update your NCSA profile.
From your most recent transcript, grades and ACT/SAT test scores to a new highlight video or skills footage, updating your profile now will give you more time to focus on college application prep this summer.