How to Make the Most of Your College Choice

As a college scout for National Scouting Report, I often get a lot of face time with college coaches, and one of the more noteworthy comments I received over the summer is how much these coaches appreciate our scouts not “chasing the bumper sticker.”

What does that mean?

College coaches see and recognize the value of a scouting organization that focuses more on the athlete and less on force-fitting everyone to only big-name or Division I schools.

They appreciate an organization that first and foremost identifies and prioritizes the best college fit for its prospects.

Perception vs. Reality: Identifying the Best Fit

Our primary focus, as scouts in the field, is to identify the perfect fit academically, financially, spiritually, socially, and of course athletically.

We don’t want to merely shovel every prospect to big-name schools despite the athlete’s (and family’s) best collective interest. As a scout, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a big-time D-I school or a small liberal arts school in the middle of nowhere.

At the end of the day, all that matters is the athlete’s, and family’s happiness. When they make their final college decision, and they’re happy, that’s what matters.

Many times, athletes believe they should go to the highest level possible, even though that may not be the best fit for them.

But one of the things we do is help the prospect, and their family, completely understand the situation. Taking all things into consideration, you have to ask yourself specific questions like:

• Will I get to play as a freshman?
• How will my athletic schedule fit in with my academic schedule?
• Do I like the coaches and team?
• Is this scholarship amount enough to help offset the cost of attendance?
• Does the school offer the degree I want to pursue?
• Will I succeed academically, and athletically?

For most athletes, this is the last four years they’ll ever play, so choosing a school with immediate playing time might be a better option. For others, the ratio of academic possibilities vs. athletics may land higher on the priority list.

You’re a Student first. Athlete second.

When you’re searching for a college, be sure to include all the factors in your life.

They call it a student-athlete for a reason — you’re a student first.

So, if you feel a big-time D-I school is your perfect fit, that’s great. But if that doesn’t suit your situation, there are more than 4,700 other schools that could be.

It’s a matter of finding the right one. When all is said and done, and you choose the perfect fit for you, you can put a bumper sticker on your car and be proud of that.