11 Steps to Create Your 20 School Universe
🧵A thread for college soccer hopefuls.
🧵A thread for college soccer hopefuls.
When searching for college athletics programs, one common error I've seen is that potential student-athletes feel the need to maximize their options.
Any school will do or any school in FILL IN THE BLANK division in an option.
Any school will do or any school in FILL IN THE BLANK division in an option.
The result is a lot of bad introductory emails that go unread or commitments that lacked any consideration for personal, academic, and athletic preferences.
Start by narrowing your search with the 20 School Universe.
What does that entail?
Here are 11 steps.
What does that entail?
Here are 11 steps.
1) Finances
Sitting down with your parents to determine the family budget is a great starting place.
If there is a definitive limit to spending, that will likely narrow your list of potential schools.
Sitting down with your parents to determine the family budget is a great starting place.
If there is a definitive limit to spending, that will likely narrow your list of potential schools.
2) Major
Find schools with your desired major.
Statistically, you’ll change your major at least once, but attending a school with your intended course of study (esp. if it’s a less common major) puts you in the right environment to gauge your academic and career interests.
Find schools with your desired major.
Statistically, you’ll change your major at least once, but attending a school with your intended course of study (esp. if it’s a less common major) puts you in the right environment to gauge your academic and career interests.
3) Location
Do you hate cold weather?
Want snow? How much?
Do you care about the distance to the beach or mountains?
Do you need the entertainment options of a large city or do you prefer a more rural setting?
Location is often the easiest ways to narrow your list.
Do you hate cold weather?
Want snow? How much?
Do you care about the distance to the beach or mountains?
Do you need the entertainment options of a large city or do you prefer a more rural setting?
Location is often the easiest ways to narrow your list.
4) Distance from Home
If you want your family at games, local options will dominate your list. On average, high schoolers decide to attend college within three hours of their homes.
If you want your family at games, local options will dominate your list. On average, high schoolers decide to attend college within three hours of their homes.
5) School Size
Do you love a big campus with a crazy college football or basketball scene? A big school might be best for you.
Do you like the idea of knowing most of the students on campus and finding your friend groups a little easier? Look at small to mid-size colleges.
Do you love a big campus with a crazy college football or basketball scene? A big school might be best for you.
Do you like the idea of knowing most of the students on campus and finding your friend groups a little easier? Look at small to mid-size colleges.
6) Class Size
At a big school, you could have a class with 600 students. At schools smaller schools, the student-to-teacher ratio can be as low as 12:1.
Some like the idea of a top research school, others like the thought of building relationships with professors.
At a big school, you could have a class with 600 students. At schools smaller schools, the student-to-teacher ratio can be as low as 12:1.
Some like the idea of a top research school, others like the thought of building relationships with professors.
7) Academic Prestige
Top students can easily narrow their search credentials by selecting a minimum level of institutional academic prestige.
If attending one of the nation’s top academic universities is a priority, this is a great place to filter your search.
Top students can easily narrow their search credentials by selecting a minimum level of institutional academic prestige.
If attending one of the nation’s top academic universities is a priority, this is a great place to filter your search.
8) Faith Traditions
If you want to attend a school of your faith tradition, that’s an easy way to narrow your list.
Keep in mind you may have to deemphasize other categories, like location or distance from home.
If you want to attend a school of your faith tradition, that’s an easy way to narrow your list.
Keep in mind you may have to deemphasize other categories, like location or distance from home.
9) Soccer Program Status
Finally, our first soccer consideration.
Do you want to join a traditional powerhouse or help rebuild?
Does program prestige matter to you or are other considerations (like the ones below) more important?
Finally, our first soccer consideration.
Do you want to join a traditional powerhouse or help rebuild?
Does program prestige matter to you or are other considerations (like the ones below) more important?
10) Playing Time
If playing time is important to you, the best question to ask yourself is, “do I make this team better?”
If you can honestly say “yes” (hopefully club coaches can offer honest feedback), odds are you’ll be in the mix for regular playing time right away.
If playing time is important to you, the best question to ask yourself is, “do I make this team better?”
If you can honestly say “yes” (hopefully club coaches can offer honest feedback), odds are you’ll be in the mix for regular playing time right away.
10) cont.
If the answer is “no”, are you okay with sitting on the bench or playing on the reserve squad for 1-3 seasons?
Former UW player Ryan Sailor is one example of a player who battled through limited playing time before claiming a prominent role as an upperclassman.
If the answer is “no”, are you okay with sitting on the bench or playing on the reserve squad for 1-3 seasons?
Former UW player Ryan Sailor is one example of a player who battled through limited playing time before claiming a prominent role as an upperclassman.
10) cont.
How would you respond if you never claimed a first-team role?
The transfer portal has made it easier to leave a disappointing situation, but if playing time is a top priority, find programs where you’re valued and improve the team.
How would you respond if you never claimed a first-team role?
The transfer portal has made it easier to leave a disappointing situation, but if playing time is a top priority, find programs where you’re valued and improve the team.
11) Team Culture
This can be a tough thing to uncover.
Attending the school’s camps will give you an idea of the coaching staff’s approach to the game and training methods.
You can even participate in D2 practices (unfortunately, that option is only available at D2).
This can be a tough thing to uncover.
Attending the school’s camps will give you an idea of the coaching staff’s approach to the game and training methods.
You can even participate in D2 practices (unfortunately, that option is only available at D2).
11) cont.
Campus visits will often allow you to meet players and an overnight stay will give you direct exposure to the team.
Determine what’s best for you and your family. You can learn a lot by spending time with the players and attending a practice or game.
Campus visits will often allow you to meet players and an overnight stay will give you direct exposure to the team.
Determine what’s best for you and your family. You can learn a lot by spending time with the players and attending a practice or game.
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scottmartinmedia.com
While you're there, be sure to sign up for The Sweeper-Keeper Newsletter and get the week's best content delivered to your inbox.
scottmartinmedia.com
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