The recruiting process is a two-way street. Coaches are looking at student athletes, but you and your family should also look at a possible school or program. But how can you be sure that the school you choose is the best one for your child?
You should do your homework, make a list of the schools you like, and start getting in touch with coaches. Before you talk to coaches, you should always have a list of questions ready. These questions could be about what kinds of majors are available (or popular with athletes) or about how often and how far the team travels to games and events.
It should be no surprise that your parents must also be prepared to ask questions. College coaches want to get to know people like you who might be good recruits, but they also know that the process takes a lot of work from everyone. Your parents should let you take the lead when asking questions. But it’s perfectly OK for them to talk to coaches and ask their own questions too.
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What questions should athletes ask college coaches?
Below are 12 good questions to ask college coaches. If you’re unsure how to get started, check out our guide to how to email a college coach. Also, check out our questions to ask college coaches on the phone.
- How would a day, week, or year in the life of one of your athletes look?
While you might have a general idea of what your day may look like, every team is different. Many programs practice year-round, and some travel may be required during holidays or summer breaks. Your coaches know that your parents want to know what you will be doing on a regular basis, like whether you will be studying in class, going to the gym, or traveling to games or meets.
You can choose the right college and team for you by seeing what your schedule might look like.
- What is the application process like?
Once you hear or read an offer from a coach, it’s easy to forget that you still need to apply to college. The coach should be able to answer common questions about admissions, like what grades and test scores are needed to get into the school, when the application deadlines are, and if they’ll be able to review or give feedback on the athlete’s application before it’s sent in.
You can find this information on other websites, but it will be much more helpful to get it directly from the coach. You might even find out what application information could give you an edge over others.
- How would you describe your coaching style?
There are many different styles of coaching out there. You don’t want to be stuck with uber tough drill sergeant if you don’t respond well to that. It could take some of the fun out of the sport you love.
If you know what kind of coaching they use, you can also guess what they expect from you. This is key to understanding how you compare to their standards.
- What are you looking for in a new recruit?
Is there anything you can do to get ready for next year? You could even ask about exercises and training you can do to keep your body in shape for the game.
- What happens if the athlete gets injured?
It’s every parent’s worst-case scenario – you get unexpectedly injured, and you’re out for the season. College athletes are required by the NCAA to have health insurance, but schools are not required to pay for their care. It’s not uncommon for your parents to have to cover part or all the out-of-pocket costs.
If the coach has brought up the idea of an athletic scholarship, find out if it will still be available if you miss some or all of the season.
- What are the next steps?
As a parent, you should know what to expect and what to do next, no matter what stage of the recruiting process your child is in. Will there be any follow-up appointments or visits? What forms or paperwork do families need to prepare or fill out for admissions? Are there any important deadlines coming up?
To avoid losing your chances, make sure you don’t miss any important dates. Ask for them and then cross them off on your phone’s calendar. Make sure to set alerts, too.
What questions should parents ask college coaches?
Here are some questions your parents may want to ask prospective coaches.
- What scholarships and financial aid packages are available?
Do not talk about how much athletic aid, if any, is being offered until the coach has made an offer. It’s best to ask about a school’s overall tuition and room-and-board costs, as well as its need-based aid and academic or merit-based scholarships. However, the admissions and financial aid offices can give you more information.
The best thing to do is to find out what kinds of costs players have to pay for, like uniforms, gear, or team trips.
- What are the housing accommodations like?
Student athletes or all students may have to live on campus for at least one year, but not all four years, at some schools. Others allow students to live off campus or have apartment-style housing available. Would you describe the dorms? How many students live on and off campus? Is there housing that is just for student athletes? If not, do most athletes live with each other or with other students?
It might also be good to ask if your child could room with other athletes.
- What type of academic support do athletes receive?
Sportspeople should make sure they can do well in school so they can get into college and stay eligible to compete. If your child’s GPA falls below a certain level, they might not be able to play or even be kicked off the team.
To avoid this, some schools offer additional services for student-athletes. Some of these are required or suggested study hours, academic advisors, tutors, and even help from professors to make up work they missed while traveling or competing with their team.
- What is the college doing to create a safe campus?
Ensuring that your child is safe is a top priority. Especially when most will be away from home for the first time. It’s natural to want to know about the safety and security of the school. For example, does the school have security guards or police officers on duty? How does the school get in touch with students in an emergency? Are there transportation services for late nights or activities off campus?
- What types of on/off campus activities are available to athletes?
Every division level is different. Athletes in a top program might not have a lot of free time, but many programs, especially at the D3 and NAIA levels, let athletes try out other activities outside of school, get a part-time job or internship, or even study abroad.
- Do athletes have the same meal plan as regular students?
In 2014, the NCAA made it mandatory for D1 programs to provide student-athletes with unlimited meals and snacks, but those same rules don’t always apply to D2, D3 or NAIA programs. Make sure to ask whether student-athletes are on the same meal plan as their non-athlete peers, as well as what types of dining options are available. Some schools have even started to offer specialty athletic nutrition facilities – complete with chefs and dieticians – to help their athletes reach peak performance.
What Questions Do College Coaches Ask Recruits?
FAQ
Is NCSA college recruiting worth it?
Do coaches really look at NCSA?
