the college recruiting process: senior year
You've made it. After years of hard work, tireless training, and a mountain of emails, you're a high school senior. This year is the culmination of your recruiting journey, the final sprint to the finish line. It's the time for making a decision, signing on the dotted line, and officially becoming a college student-athlete. While the process may slow down for some, it remains a period of crucial final steps, important deadlines, and staying focused until the very end.
This is your playbook for senior year, designed to help you cross the finish line with confidence.
The Mindset: What to Think About
Senior year is all about making a choice and following through. Your mindset should be focused on the commitment you're about to make and the final steps needed to secure your future.
Making a Decision, Not a Deal: If you have multiple offers, it's time to weigh them carefully. For many sports, you’ll have already committed to a school by your senior year. If not, expect to make your commitment in the first few months of your senior year. Don't base your decision solely on the scholarship amount or the school's win-loss record. Think about the overall fit—the academic programs, the campus culture, the coaching staff, and your future teammates. A verbal commitment is exciting, but it's not legally binding. It’s a promise, not a contract. Choose the school that feels like the best home for you.
Be Prepared for the Unexpected: The recruiting process isn’t always a clean, linear path. Roster spots can open up last minute due to unexpected events. Be prepared for a late offer to come in from a school you weren’t expecting. At the same time, if a scholarship offer doesn’t materialize, be ready to have an honest conversation with a coach about a walk-on opportunity.
Stay Engaged and Perform: Your senior season is your final audition. Coaches and admissions staff will be watching your performance, but they will also be looking at how you conduct yourself. They want to see that you are finishing strong, both in the classroom and on the field. Don't mentally check out; this is the time to lead and set a great example.
The Action Plan: What to Do
With your mindset in place, here are the concrete, actionable steps you need to take this year.
Sign Your Official Commitment: Your verbal commitment becomes official when you sign your Athletic Aid Agreement. This is a binding contract that secures your spot and your scholarship for at least one year. Your high school will likely hold a signing day ceremony, which is a great opportunity to celebrate your hard work. Remember, this is the final step that makes your commitment official and stops other coaches from recruiting you. It’s important to note that last statement. Other coaches must stop recruiting you once you’ve signed your commitment. This will end your recruiting process.
Finalize All College Applications: Even with a verbal commitment, you must still apply to the university and be accepted. Get your college applications in well before the deadlines, especially if you plan to apply for early action or early decision. You also need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any other financial aid forms to ensure you get the best financial package possible.
Complete All NCAA Eligibility Center Tasks: By now, you should have a certification account. During your senior year, you must finalize your registration. This includes submitting your final transcripts with proof of graduation. Your high school counselor will need to send this to the Eligibility Center. You must also complete the final amateurism certification questionnaire. This is a required step to be eligible to compete.
Stay in Communication: Even after you commit, you should stay in contact with the coaching staff. Send them an updated highlight reel from your senior season and let them know about any academic achievements. This reinforces that they made the right choice in recruiting you and builds a relationship before you even arrive on campus. If you are still uncommitted, you need to be sending a final wave of outreach to coaches at schools on your list, especially if you have an impressive senior season.
Take Your Last Official Visits: Senior year is when you will take any remaining official visits to your top schools. These visits are a crucial opportunity to make your final decision and get a feel for what life will be like as a student-athlete at that school. Ask your final questions, talk to the players, and make sure it is the perfect fit.
Find Your Perfect Fit: This is the most important part of senior year. Don't be afraid to take the time to find the school that is truly the best fit for you. Once you find it, and you have that offer in hand, you can work with your coach to finalize your decision and get ready to sign.
What Not to Do in Your Senior Year
Don't Stop Communicating: Just because you committed doesn't mean the work is done. You are now a part of that program's future, and they want to feel connected to you.
Don't Let Your Grades Slide: Your final high school transcript will be sent to the NCAA and to your college. They will be looking for a strong finish. Don't get "senioritis."
Dont Wait Too Long: Even though we’re encouraging you to take the time, this is after all a life changing decision, don’t think coaches will wait around for you forever. Coaches only have so much scholarship and money to distribute and they can’t risk losing out on other options if they think you’re leaning in a different direction. Be clear about timelines with coaches so you don’t get left behind from waiting too long. Once your confident in a decision, let a school know.
Don't Panic if You Don’t Have an Offer: Many D2, D3, and NAIA schools continue to recruit deep into senior year to fill their rosters. The process is not over until you decide it is.
Senior year is the final leg of the marathon. It’s a time for decision-making, discipline, and follow-through. By staying focused, organized, and committed, you will complete your recruiting journey and be ready to start your next chapter as a collegiate student-athlete.
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