<p>Hey, I am a sophomore and I play soccer at a high level, some of the colleges I am planning on talking to are Oregon State, UCSB, UC-Irvine, UW, University of Indiana, and a few others like it. I was just wondering when i should start to send the coaches emails and introduce myself to the coaches.
GPA: 3.6
SAT: NA</p>
<p>Now.</p>
<p>Definitely start introducing yourself now. While they cannot initiate contact they can certainly look at whatever you send and come watch your tournament games. Those schools mostly recruit out of the high level tournaments (Dallas, Surf etc) so always let them know your schedule when attending any. Most importantly be sure to have a highlight reel that you can send- we heard several coaches comment that they will discard initial emails that don’t include one. Update the video as you get older. A lot of the schools on your list finish recruiting up to 2 years ahead for a team -that’s next year for you-so start now!</p>
<p>So once i finish my video i should start to send introduction emails? Also i am going to surf cup next year, and a few college showcases. Also, What should be in my introduction email?
@takeitallin</p>
<p>Your emails should be short and concise. Tell them about your soccer experience, your club, awards and what tournaments you have played. Also talk about your academics: GPA, class rank etc. It’s Ok to write a sort of “form” email but then you should customize it for each school. Look at each website to find out about each team and try to mention something brief about each in your email. Irecommend checking school websites frequently to make sure there have not been coaching changes. Also send each email to the coach and all assistants as some coaches use an asst. to do the recruiting. Include a close up picture of yourself in each email so they can connect a face with your name. </p>
<p>Once you are in your Jr. Year really amp up your contact. Update coaches frequently. Each time you do a tournament send your detailed schedule, uniform color etc. After the tournament it’s OK to call and ask if they had a chance to come watch your games. </p>
<p>This is a long process. Be very persistent and write and call often. Update your video as needed and send it again. Stay organized- it helps to start an email folder for each school and file each email so you can keep updated. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thank you! @takeitallin‌ </p>
<p>Cal Poly ought to be on that list!!! Better college in a lot of ways than UCI or UCSB… Just check into it…</p>
<p>Alright I will @momof2010‌ </p>
<p>SoccerLyfe - You’ve received some great advice here by twoinanddone, takeitallin, and momof2010. Another aspect you need to think about is the list of schools you’re going to send your emails to. I think it’s great that you’re targeting specific schools. So many players take a “volume” approach - just going to lots of tournaments and trying to be seen by as many coaches as possible and then hoping that some of those coaches will like them. But I think you’ll end up with a much better fit if you try to pick specific schools which interest you - from a number of different perspectives: academic, athletic, setting (urban, suburban or rural), size, weather, etc.</p>
<p>When our daughter was in the midst of the recruiting process, she researched colleges from both an academic and an athletic standpoint. She used the U.S. News Best Colleges handbook to look at schools from an academic standpoint (as well as the other general aspects - weather, setting, size, etc.) and SportSource’s Official Athletic College Guide for Women’s Soccer to look at schools from a soccer perspective.</p>
<p>Then she chose 10 target schools from an academic perspective (there were schools on her list that she felt she would easily be accepted at, some that were right at her academic level, and some that she felt would be a bit of a reach). Then she chose 10 target schools from an athletic perspective (similarly, some where she would easily be recruited, some that were right at her level, and some that would be more difficult). While looking at schools from an athletic perspective, you’ll also want to think about whether you would be comfortable sitting on the bench at the beginning or whether you want to have a better chance to play as a freshman - the overall success of the soccer program as well as where they are in their cycle of success/rebuilding will play a part in that).</p>
<p>Once my daughter had her two lists, she targeted the overlap. In reality, as a goalkeeper, her lists grew bigger pretty quickly because not every school was looking for a goalkeeper in her graduation year. Also, the lists changed over time (she started sending emails in her freshman year).</p>
<p>I’ve also seen a recommendation that the player should choose 20 schools they would like from an academic standpoint and then pick the best soccer schools from that list. A slightly different approach, but probably similar results.</p>
<p>The better you choose the schools to target during this process, the better the fit will be when you get to college and the more successful your experience will be.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
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<p>SoccerFyfe,</p>
<p>In addition to the advice offered, I’d like to suggest that you introduce your travel or club coaches to these schools too Many times in high level showcase or travel teams (all sports) it is the club coach that can communicate on your behalf to these college coaches. Often these college coaches create pipelines of talent, and they are looking for travel coaches that run college level teams. Anyone that you can leverage to make a great case for you is a huge plus. So, share that list with your travel or club coach and let them advocate for you too. Good luck!</p>