ASK PAT: Navigating the College
Landscape
Pat
Grecco, a long time soccer volunteer and expert on the college recruiting
process, will be writing a regular feature here on LIJSoccer.com, answering
questions from players like you.
The
Chairman of the LIJSL Scholarship Committee, Pat has been an invaluable
resource for Long Island soccer players and student-athletes starting out on
their college search. In addition, she
owns and operates her own company called College Bound Athlete, a college
recruiting service. She has worn many
hats during her more than 25 years with the LIJSL, including Director of
College Bound Player programs, which includes Exceptional HS Senior Games,
College Forum, and College Workshops. Pat has helped numerous student athletes
find collegiate opportunities through soccer.
Her philosophy is that "There is a program for everyone to play in
at the collegiate level."'
How can soccer add value to my college search?
--
Anna P. from Massapequa Park.
Dear Anna,
Value comes in many forms. Financially, yes athletics can help you through
athletic grants, also called athletic scholarships, with Division I and
Division II schools. It can also help you gain consideration for academic and
talent grants at Division III schools. Even
more importantly, soccer can help you gain admittance into a college/university
that you might not qualify for on your own.
College coaches can intercede with Admissions on your behalf. This is called being a pick or a blue chip
recruit; A win-win situation! Good luck Anna, keep in touch.
How can I increase my chances of landing a scholarship?
--Dan
S. From Port Washington
Good question Dan,
I would say in order to increase your
chances of receiving a soccer scholarship, the most important thing is to
compete at the highest level on a team that trains and goes to college
showcases and high visibility tournaments. Begin networking with college
coaches as early as freshman year so that you can be identified as a “talented
sophomore”, and then in your junior year
you can visit colleges and meet with coaches.
Try out for State ODP or the Long Island Select Player Development
Program. These programs will increase
your level of play and help you get identified by college coaches. Remember you
have to initiate contact as NCAA rules prohibit college coaches from formally
recruiting you until end of junior year.
Also, and very important, have good grades. Keep your GPA and SAT and ACT scores up, and
network, network, network. Put up some
game video on You Tube and include the link in your email to the college coach.
Send an Athletic-Academic Profile with a cover letter to college coaches in
hard copy form for your initial contact, and after that email with your updated
Athletic-Academic Profile attached. It works if you work it!!
Pat, which camps can you recommend?
--
Will S. from Southold
Hi Will,
Camps where you can get exposure to multiple
college coaches and receive a written evaluation on strengths and weaknesses are
most valuable. Example, a player was
interested in Brown University, and while at that camp he was identified by the
coach from Middlebury College. Be
certain the camp is at your skill level or higher. If you are particularly
interested in a certain college, attending camp there will offer you the chance
to be on campus, see the college coach in action, and letting the coach see
you. Before you drop the check, be sure
that the coach knows of your interest in his or her program. Then ask for an evaluation at the end of the week
that will let you know if you are at the level to be recruited.
Goalkeepers should consider one of the
top three GK training programs, which are offered in various locations
throughout the country.
Thanks for checking in everyone! Be sure to e-mail me with your questions at soccervol@aol.com. We’ll try to get as many of them answered as
possible!