Prepare For College, LLC

Why You Should Keep College Coaches Updated on Your ProgressWhen you're being recruited, it's not enough to send one great highlight reel or one impressive email and then sit back and wait. College recruiting is an ongoing relationship-building process, and just like in any strong relationship, communication is key. Keeping coaches updated on your progress shows them that you're serious, engaged, and constantly improving.

To keep good control of all your communications with the college coaches, you’ll need to adopt a good tracking system from the start. Do not try to keep track of all your communications in your head. A simple tracking system can be developed that will help you stay organized and on track. This is a “MUST HAVE” if you want to market yourself to colleges successfully. A communication tracking system allows you to update information as often as you wish, and you can review what was said, who said it, and what you need to follow up on. Using a tracking system will help keep you organized and show you what interest level the college coaches may have in you.

Athletic videos can play a very important role in marketing student athletes. The coach may not be able to see you compete; therefore, the video may be the only way to get a true evaluation of your athletic skills. Prepare a video and have it available to send to the college coaches when they request it from you. In reality, college coaches will only take about five to ten minutes to view a video. Please do not send them a full game video. They don’t have the time to view the entire footage. The goal of the video is to showcase the student-athlete’s skills quickly.

The athletic resume should show who you are and what you’ve achieved in your sports while attending high school. The student-athlete should send their resume with their cover or introduction letter.

Reaching out to college coaches with an introduction letter is a critical first step in marketing a student-athlete.

Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions a student-athlete will make. It impacts not only their athletic career but also their education, personal development, and future opportunities. The decision should go beyond just sports. Student-athletes must find a school that fits them academically, athletically, and socially.

Many student-athletes dream of playing at the collegiate level, but talent alone is not enough to get recruited. College coaches receive thousands of inquiries and don’t have time to scout every potential player. This is why marketing your student-athlete is essential, it increases visibility, attracts interest from coaches, and opens scholarship opportunities.

This podcast will examine the three-year college degree as an alternative to the traditional four-year model prevalent in the United States. It highlights the advantages of this accelerated format, such as reduced time and cost, focused curriculum, and quicker entry into the workforce. However, it also discusses the potential drawbacks, including a heavier workload, limited opportunities for exploration and practical experience, increased academic pressure, and potential perception issues with some employers. The presentation presents the three-year degree as a viable option for motivated, career-focused students while acknowledging that the four-year program may better suit others seeking a more comprehensive and flexible education.

The U.S. Statista Research Department found that 40.3 % of 2023 college graduates were underemployed. You need to know what we mean by "underemployed." The Federal Reserve Bank of New York defines underemployment as "working in a job that typically does not require a bachelor’s degree."

A college gap year is a break that students take between high school and college (or sometimes during college) to explore personal, professional, or educational opportunities before continuing their studies. Some colleges allow students to defer admission for a gap year, meaning they secure a spot but start later. Many structured gap year programs exist, but students can also plan their own experiences.