The Experts Speak: Your Most Common Concerns Addressed
Through the years, we’ve come across parents and students who have many similar apprehensions and questions when it comes to college athletic recruitment. Our experts have addressed some of the popular questions and fears that student athletes and their parents have:
1. I live in a small town where the closest place for me to play sports is two hours away.
The life of a student athlete can be extremely demanding and athletes are required to manage their time between practice, game, academics and traveling (sometimes more than two hours). It is important for you to evaluate how seriously you want to be a college athlete. Take your time to assess the resources at hand and find out if your family and you are willing to sacrifice what it takes to be a student-athlete.
2. I have never spoken or written to a foreign coach before. What if I mess up and they don’t want me?
It is natural for young athletes to feel this way. College coaches speak to athletes who are 14 to 22 years of age, on a daily basis. They understand that the emails sent out by young adults and teenagers might not be professional. They realize the anxiety you face behind the screen. So, one way to get rid of the anxiety is to practice a lot with your parents on what you will be saying. Always remember to focus on the best outcome. The worst thing that could happen is that you won’t make it to their team. But that’s not the end of the world. There are thousands of coaches out there who are looking for candidates just like you and you could prove to be the best fit for their team. So, write that email, and fill that questionnaire today!
3. I don’t think my family has the money for me to attend the school I want to go to.
Most colleges offer a wide range of scholarships for students but it is important to have a decent profile academically or have a good athletic background. There are a lot more scholarships offered to academically talented individuals so it is important to also focus on your grades and invest the time to study for the SAT or ACT if your school requires it.
While these are just a few of the common questions from parents and young athletes, you can always reach out to our counselors if you have other concerns that need to be addressed.
