College Info

9th Grade 

• Engage in your classes, seek support from your teachers. Grades count. College coaches want to recruit successful student-athletes, not just athletes.

• Work on your athletics skills and training. Research and locate summer camps, programs, etc. that will help you continue to develop athletically in your sport. Explore camps that take place on college campuses or are run by college coaches. Coaches are your best resource for appropriate club teams, tournaments, showcases, etc.

• Ask your coaches for an assessment of your abilities. What can you work on both physically and mentally to be a better player? What kind of team player are you? What is my potential for growth within my sport? Accept feedback as a means for growth.

• Seek advice from College Counseling if you have questions about NCAA course requirements.

• Keep track of your athletic stats, awards received, leadership positions, etc.

• Play multiple sports. Be active and engaged.

10th Grade

• Develop an academic plan (including standardized testing) for your DRHS experience.

• Continue to do your best in the classroom. If you have a goal to possibly compete in Division I or Division II, stay on course with the NCAA core course requirements. 

• Explore summer programs designed to help you address the areas of growth your coach has identified for you as an athlete. Go to camps/showcases. Again, coaches are your best resource when making summer plans.

• Begin to craft an athletic resume—(Speak with Coach Plyler for an example)—which can be updated as needed and shared with coaches. Work with your coach on a highlight film (what is appropriate, how to send, etc.).

• With your parents, coach and College Counseling, begin to explore colleges in which you might be interested for both academic and athletic reasons. Familiarize yourself with the admission requirements. Your DRHS advisor, class dean, and college counseling can also help with your junior year course selections relative to NCAA requirements and the emerging list of schools expressing interest in you as an athlete.

• Keep playing multiple sports.

• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the year. Get a clearinghouse number.

11th Grade

• Make an appointment with your college counselor to calculate your NCAA Core GPA  and to finalize an individual standardized testing plan.

• Take the SAT/ACT and scores to programs you are interested in

• Working with your college counselor, ask two teachers for letters of recommendation.

• Meet with your coach to discuss colleges you are interested in and others the coach would suggest. Work with coach Plyler to create a plan for contacting those college coaches, to discuss getting a film or other supporting examples of your athletic abilities.

• Update your resume—with new academic and athletic accomplishments. Make plans for unofficial visits as appropriate. Work on this list with your parents as well. Students own the process, but parents, counselors, and coaches are important members as well.

• Make sure you consult NCAA calendars for recruited athletes. Pay attention to rules and regulations!

• Finalize course selection for senior year with your DRHS advisor and college counselor.

• Coaches will most often ask recruited athletes to visit early, research, and apply Early Decision; please make sure you discuss this with both your coach and college counselor.

  • Understand that this is a binding agreement; if you are accepted, you are committed to attend.

  • Identifying what financial aid will be available to you is important prior to applying ED - colleges can do an “early read” on what your financial aid package might look like. Net price calculators can be found on every institution’s website. These allow families to enter financial information from the previous two years and get an estimate of the financial aid package they can expect to receive based on need.

  • Please work with your college counselor on all financial issues.

• During the spring of junior year, meet with your college counselor and coach together to agree upon the best college search plan moving forward.

12th Grade

• Continue to work with your DRHS college counselor to execute your college search plan.

• Update athletic resume; send to any new schools you are considering. Update your highlight film.

• Schedule official visits as appropriate (visits to Division III schools are not considered official).

• Complete and file any financial aid paperwork required by each college (FAFSA, CSS Profile, etc.)

• Beware of deadlines – they are not flexible!