create your future

12 STEPS TO BECOMING AN ACTIVE PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE

step 1: make a list of your must-haves

Make a list of YOUR must-haves (what you are looking for in a university and its gymnastics program)

- - Academics, location, type of campus, degree program availability, gymnastics atmosphere, etc.

step 2: do your homework

Do your homework

- - Find schools that meet your list of must-haves
  - Research on their websites, in publications, etc.
  - If you have a friend or family member that goes or went to a particular school, ask them about their experience

Make a list of your "dream schools" and take it to your coaches (they will be able to guide you in this process as well)

step 3: start contacting

Contact the schools' gymnastics programs directly - most schools list coaches' contact information or a general email address on their website

- - Email the programs yourself - a parent or coach doesn't have to email for you - most college coaches want to hear from YOU!
  - Be professional and concise - send your videos, a link to your website, and your coach's contact information (email address and phone number)

NOTE: College coaches will NOT be able to answer any emails, calls, or text messages until JUNE 15th after the completion of your sophomore year of high school. Do not be discouraged if they do not answer you!

step 4: keep working hARD

Keep working hard in the gym and keep your top schools' coaches updated with your progress.

During this entire process, work with your high school counselor and pay close attention to:

- - YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR GRADES
  - Admissions requirements and deadlines to apply
  - Academic expectations of the colleges you are interested in
  - SAT & ACT score requirements
  - Transcripts (schools will require an official transcript which could take some time to process)

step 5: AM I A GOOD FIT?

Understand where your level of gymnastics is and try to recognize if you would be a good fit with the skills you have and the programs on your list (talk to your club coaches and get their opinions as well)

- - Narrow your choices down to 3-5 schools and closely compare them
  - Learn everything you can about each one and keep a clear line of communication open with the coaches (If NCAA rules don't permit you to talk to the coaches, that does not mean they do not want to be updated on your progress!).
  - Familiarize yourself with them and the program
  - Dive into the stats and honors that the team, coaches, and program have achieved in past years

step 6: JUNE 15 OF YOUR SOPHOMORE YEAR...

After June 15 of your sophomore year passes..

- - Take your ACT/SAT tests (these tests can be taken at anytime, they are not a requirement to go on a visit - this is just a friendly reminder to get that process going), send prospective colleges your scores and unofficial transcripts, and make sure you are cleared to go on a visit (be sure you have met all required standards)
  - List of REQUIREMENTS to go on a visit: academic transcripts, get registered with the Eligibility Center, and you must be placed on the colleges Institutional Request List (IRL) with the NCAA Eligibility Center
  - Let the coaches of the schools you are interested in know that you want to visit campus
  - Schedule and plan your visit with the coaches and your family

step 7: GET READY TO VISIT!

Get on campus for your visit(s) after August 1st before your junior year

- - Talk to the girls on the team - ask questions and get to know them on a personal level as much as possible
  - HAVE QUESTIONS READY for coaches, staff, and support staff - and don't be afraid to ask them!
    - - Think not only about the gymnastics side of the visit but also about YOUR future there. Ask about the things that mean the most to you - specifics in degree programs, internship availability, etc.
  - Have fun! Try to picture yourself living in the dorms and going to classes and practice every day. What does it feel like?! Does it make you excited and happy?
  - Ask about the admissions process and the timeline of getting everything done that you need to apply to the school
  - Try to get a feel of where you would fit in the best as an incoming freshman athlete, and also the status of your graduation year's recruiting class - keep in mind that many schools recruiting classes fill up before high school graduation.

step 8: RE-EVALUATE YOUR LIST

After speaking with coaches and making your visit(s), re-evaluate your list of colleges

- - Hopefully in your visit(s) and talks with coaches, you are able to decide where you would like to go, and the program wants to offer you a position on the team
  - Narrow this list down by talking with your family and coaches. Keep in mind, that ultimately this is YOUR decision after you receive your offer(s) to attend a university
  - Be open and honest and let the college coaches know your thoughts and feelings about where you stand with making your decision

step 9: MAKE YOUR DECISION!

Make a decision!

- - If you have been offered a scholarship or walk-on position, it's time to make your decision! Call the coaches and let them know whether or not you want to accept their offer. The schools that have given you an offer appreciate you letting them know your decision - even if you have decided not to attend.
  - If a program has not yet offered you a scholarship or walk-on position yet, remind the coaches of your interest in being on their team. Try to get a good gauge on the status of the next recruiting classes.

step 10: ACCEPT YOUR OFFER...

Once you have accepted a scholarship or walk-on position, don't stop communicating with the coaches!

- - Check in with updates frequently (the coaches will be sure to reach out as well to check on you and your family!)
  - Get a call schedule set up - for example, set a date to call your coaches at 4 PM every other Wednesday
  - Send updated video and scores via email
  - Follow the team on social media to stay up-to-date with what is going on at your school and to familiarize yourself with it - college campus are fun and busy places!
  - Make sure you get the admission process underway and stay on top of deadlines and requirements

step 11: SIGN YOUR NLI

When the time comes, (if you are awarded a scholarship) you will sign your National Letter of Intent (NLI) to your prospective college

- - An NLI is the binding agreement you sign stating that you agree to attend the university for one academic year in exchange for that university awarding athletics financial aid for one academic year - it's a contract between you and the school - learn more HERE.
  - You may only sign an NLI during the designated signing period (if you have a scholarship)
  - This means that the recruiting process is over and you are now officially part of the program!
    - - There are some NCAA rules you will need to follow in the period between signing your NLI and starting to train with the team. Your new coach will inform you of those rules and next steps.
  - As mentioned above, make sure to continue to stay in the loop with your team and keep your future coaches updated with your gymnastics, academic progress, and health and well-being and to continue to build relationships with the team
  - If you sustain an injury before college, do not panic! Keep your future coaches updated with your rehabilitation and doctor visits!
    - - Sustaining an injury does not mean that the college no longer wants you on the team.
        Make a return-to-play plan for your post-injury journey and share this with your future college coaches.

- - - - Coaches will have a vested interest in your plan to getting back to your recruited skill level and returning to good health!

step 12: SUMMER TRAINING

Training during the summer before your freshman year...

- - - Make sure to keep up with your training so that you remain at the level your future coaches expect
    - Keep the lines of communication open with your new coaches and start your packing!
    - Keep an eye on admissions news, orientation emails, and other requirements from your school - there are many steps to becoming a college student, especially a student-athlete!

CONGrats - You've turned your dreams into reality!

NCAA Recruiting Website

Want to play a Division I sport?

NCAA College-Bound S-A Guide

D-I Women's Gymnastics Recruiting Guide

RECRUITING terminology

Learning recruiting terminology can help you understand this process - the links below provide definitions to terms that you need to know!

RECRUITING CORRESPONDENCE

Coaches cannot respond to your emails, texts, social media messages, etc. UNTIL JUNE 15th after the completion of your sophomore year in high school.

- - Note: Communicate with the college coaches and make a schedule of regular calls
  - Don't wait for the coach to call you, call them too!
  - If you have any questions, PLEASE ask. Coaches want to help you learn the recruiting process and understand better.
  - You are NOT bugging a coach when you call/text/email, etc.

Phone Calls

Coaches may not make or receive calls until June 15th after a PSA's sophomore year. Phone calls to and from PSA's may occur during dead periods (the PSA does still need to abide by the timeline restrictions.)

Contacts / evaluations

There are seven (combined between evaluations and contacts) recruiting opportunities per PSA per year.

What is a contact?

A contact is a conversation made in person with the PSA and college coach, ( more than just a "hello".) These may only occur after August 1st of the PSA's Junior year of high school.
The coach(es) that you are in contact with will help you to better understand these rules as you talk to them
Contact may occur after competition concludes for the day and the PSA has been released by her current coach

What is an evaluation?

Anytime outside a quiet or dead period, an evaluation may occur
When a college coach comes to watch a practice, a meet, or camp, this is an evaluation
A college coach may evaluate a prospective student athlete at any time

unOfficial Visits

These may be scheduled after August 1st of a PSA's junior year of high school
There is no limit in the number of visits a PSA may take
They may not occur during a dead period (What is a dead period?)
These visits are not paid for by the college and are fully funded by the PSA and their family
PSAs may be transported by coaches to view practice, competition sites, and facilities, as well as local athletic contests
If attending a meet is part a visit, a PSA and up to two individuals (+2 additional comps for non-traditional family members) may receive complimentary admissions

official visits

PSAs may take a total of FIVE official visits and only ONE per school
They may not occur during a dead period (What is a dead period?)
Transportation may be provided within a 30 mile radius of the institution's campus during the visit
Meals and lodging are paid for by the school, for the PSA and up to four family members during the 48-hour period
Complimentary admissions (max of 3) are provided to a meet. Non-traditional family may receive two additional complimentary tickets to game day competition and home athletic events (within a 30-mile radius of campus)

Before you visit a school OFFICIALLY you must:

Wait until August 1st of your Junior year of high school
Be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center
Send the prospective college updated academic transcripts (talk to your high school counselor)
Be placed on the college's Institutional Request List (IRL)

Dead Period

A dead period means that a PSA may not take a scheduled recruiting visit to a college campus during this allotted time.

No college coach may make any visits to evaluate or "recruit" any athletes during this time as well. (Ex. Coming to the gym to watch you practice or coming to a meet during this time.)

No face-to-face contact may occur between a college coach and a PSA or a PSA's family member.

Dead periods:

- - November 11-14
  - December 1-30
  - April (from noon the day before the first day of NCAA Division I National Championships to noon the day after the championship ends.) This date changes year to year based on when NCAA championships occur. This year was April 16-19.
  - June 1-15

A common misunderstanding during a dead period is that a PSA cannot talk on the phone, text or email any college coaches - this is NOT true. A PSA MAY talk, text or email with a college coach during a dead period. (the PSA does still need to abide by the timeline restrictions.)

Frequently Asked questions

I'm a high-level gymnast and want to compete in college, where do I begin?

- - Start by researching different colleges, talking with your club coaches, and putting together videos of yourself from practice and at meets. (See steps 1- 12 above)

At what point should I start contacting college coaches?

- - You can contact coaches whenever you'd like, just keep in mind that they may not be able to reply to you based on your age or year in school - don't get discouraged if they do not answer you.

How many scholarships do most schools award each year?

- - This differs from school to school. There is no hurt in asking the schools you are interested in how many scholarships they have available.

The coaches I contacted aren't answering me... why is that?

- - This could be for a number of different reasons... one specifically is that you may be too young for the coach to answer you directly. If you are able to be contacted, just be patient! They will get back to you.

When I am at a meet and I see a college coach, can I go over and talk to him/her?

- - If it is past August 1st of your junior year of high school, and you are released after a competition/practice by your coaches for the day, then you may speak with that college coach. If you approach a college coach at a meet and it is not August 1st or later, the coach cannot say anything more to you other than stating the NCAA contact rule. It may seem awkward (like they are running away from you!), but rest assured they are NOT! They are just trying to follow NCAA rules so neither you nor they are violating them!

What kinds of skills do I need to be a gymnast at a D-I school?

- - Most of the time, college coaches like to see that you have the skill level to meet requirements for collegiate competition (a 10.0 start value vault, a major release on bars, an "E" pass on floor and connection bonus on balance beam). But, they also like to see that you are always pushing to learn new skills and are developing them throughout your club years. It is always beneficial to have a wide variety of skills on each event.

What do colleges look for in an athlete?

- - Your personality and how you'd fit in with the team, dedication to your academics, gymnastics skill level, communication skills, social media communication, whether or not you are coach-able, how you deal with frustration and adversity, how you interact with teammates and coaches, your practice and competition behavior, etc.

Am I bugging the coaches by sending updates of my gymnastics every week?

- - NO! Coaches love updates and getting emails from PSA's. Even if they don't/can't answer, they love hearing from you. If you are of age, coaches are permitted to reply to you. Keep in mind that most coaches have very busy schedules, and if they do not answer right away it does not mean they do not have interest in learning more about you!

Why does Michigan go by "Team 48?"

- - This season's team will be the 48th team in the University of Michigan's history!

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