A TIMETABLE FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
JUNIOR YEAR
•Figure out where you fit. There is a place to play hockey for everyone.
•Draw up an initial list of schools that fit your criteria. Criteria should include size of school, location, the social environment, academics, and athletics. Make sure it passes the “Broken Leg Test”: if you get hurt and can’t play do you still want to be there?
•Narrow down your list of schools, but also be willing to add schools.
•KEEP AN OPEN MIND. Remember you will have to make compromises. There are roughly 2,000 four-year colleges in the United States. Of these schools there are 57 club teams, 43 Division III teams, and 33 Division 1 teams. Only 23 Division 1 schools offer scholarships.
•Make informal visits to schools. Don’t wait until the school year to begin informal visits. Think about how busy you are during the school year. Summer is a great time for visits. The campus won’t be empty--all colleges have summer programs.
September-December
•Fill out “on-line” information forms.
•Send coaches your game schedule, including tournaments and camps.
•Send coaches a video if you live in an area that receives less scouting. For example, if you live west of New York State and want to go to a college in the Northeast.
January-March
•Sign up for SAT or ACT testing in April-June. Most of the questions you will have regarding these tests can be found on the test websites. The SAT site is www.collegeboard.com; the ACT site is www.act.org. You can register on-line for both tests. Deadlines for registration are about six weeks before the actual test dates.
•Keep coaches up-to-date on your playing schedule.
•Continue to make unofficial visits to schools.
•Watch the team play. Decide how you measure up against the players at your position. Look at the roster. Figure out where the openings will be as seniors graduate.
•Call or e-mail the coach to let him/her know when you will be there for an unofficial visit.
•Please note that a player may initiate contact with a coach at any time. The rules for Division 1 do not apply to Division 3 coaches and players.
April-June
•Take the SAT or the ACT test. If you do not take the spring SAT/ACT you cannot take an official visit until after you receive your scores from the fall tests.
•Send coaches a copy of your high school transcript after your Junior year is over (a photocopy is fine)
•Send coaches a copy of your SAT or ACT scores (a photocopy is fine).
July-August
•Starting July 1 Division 1 college coaches may contact you once a week. Top recruits will get a call within a couple of weeks of this date. Don’t forget that although a coach can contact you only once a week you may also initiate contact.
•Try to make unofficial visits to your top choices. Don’t waste your valuable time on schools where you don’t fit academically and athletically. Coaches who have seen you play and have shown no interest is a good indicator.
•If you are being recruited by a school you might like to attend. Plan ahead. You are only allowed 5 official visits to Division 1 schools. If you are invited to make an official visit arrange for this in the fall—the earlier the better.
•Division III schools do not have official visits per se. Although you can still visit the school and make arrangements to spend time with the team. You’ll probably sleep on a mattress on the floor of a player’s room.
•Sign up for the fall SAT, SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II), or ACT testing dates. If you plan to attend an Ivy League school or a NESCAC, you will probably need to take two or three SAT Subject Tests. Check the school web page to see what you need, and when it needs to be done.
SENIOR YEAR
September
•Register with NCAA Clearinghouse.
•Take the SAT or ACT test as needed—that is until you meet entrance requirements. It is typical to take these tests three times.
•Plan and begin to take your 5 official visits. Schools will send out personal invitations to those players whom they wish to offer an Official Visit.
•Start filling out college applications. Work on your college essays, and supplemental application materials. Get some help editing and polishing your essays.
October
•To meet an Early Decision (ED1) deadline, you must have taken your official visit to that school and have ALL parts of your application completed and mailed by the end of this month. Remember, an ED1 acceptance is binding unless you cannot meet financial obligations.
•Continue working on all parts of your college application.
November
•NCAA Early Signing Period for D1 colleges (not Ivies)
•November 1st or November 15th are EARLY DECISION DEADLINES. Check each school’s web site so you know the date of your deadline if you plan to go ED1.
•If you are positive about wanting to attend a specific school your chances of getting in are greater if you apply ED1 or ED2. Some schools generate 75% of their U.S. recruiting class through Early Decision.
•For Regular Decision complete your official visits by the end of this month.
December
•Mail applications for ED2 Deadlines. Check each school’s website for dates.
•Make sure you know when the Regular Decision deadline is for each school. Some are as early as January 1st. Check each school’s web page for dates.
•Mail your Regular decision applications.
•Don’t Procrastinate
