18 Sports That Can Get You in College & How to Make It Happen
Being into sports is one of the factors that can be beneficial when applying to college. Athletes can get scholarships and enter the top schools in the country. But it is not always as easy as it seems. It requires outstanding sports achievements as well as decent grades.
But if you are really passionate about sport, it is a way to go. Athletic skills are valuable in academia even if you are not competing on the national level as they show the dedication of the student. And if you are worried about assignments and essays, a professional writers essaywritingservice can always help with that while you concentrate on the game. Don’t worry and let’s dive into the list of sports that can get you to college.
What Sports Are Played in College?
There are a variety of sports that are played in academia and can be beneficial when applying. Different schools have different focus and programs. It is important to know what universities are most invested in the sport you are good at. The list includes:
Football;
Golf;
Rugby;
Gymnastics;
Fencing;
Ice Hockey;
Basketball;
Baseball;
Rifle;
Skiing;
Swimming;
Soccer;
Volleyball;
Lacrosse;
Tennis;
Water polo;
Cross country;
Wrestling;
It is worth mentioning that not every discipline is going to get you a full scholarship. It depends on the school, the association one applies to, and the coach who makes the decision. Some sports are much easier to get financial aid with, others are more complicated. Usually, the offers that cover the education fully are available only for several disciplines, such as:
Football;
Basketball (both for men and women);
Women’s gymnastics;
Volleyball;
Tennis.
Other disciplines can get a student scholarship that covers tuition and living partially. Another thing to remember is that sport-related scholarships are usually a one year contract. It means that a student needs to qualify for one every year of college. In other disciplines, you can get a student scholarship, which partially covers tuition and living. It should also be remembered that sports related scholarships are usually for one year. This means that the student must be eligible for one course each year of college. To be confident in the next year, you need to prepare well or turn to specialists - https://ca.essaywritingservice.com.
Tips on Getting in College as an Athlete
Several associations recruit athletes in various disciplines to educational institutions. They also provide funding for students’ financial aid. The most well-known one is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). But there are also other smaller associations.
To apply for a college as an athlete one needs to meet several requirements:
Be excellent at sport;
Qualify at this sport in one of the associations;
Have a good academic level and grades that are on the college’s expected level;
Be recruited by the coach.
It requires a lot of dedication and strong time management skills. Grades are essential to get to university even if a person competes on a national level.
Generally, there are three levels of play, according to NCAA:
Division I
It is the most competitive and large group. It means that a student represents college and competes with other colleges. In this division, athletes can get a full scholarship or a great offer that covers a significant part of their tuition. It requires significant skills and athletic achievements. The coach recruits a student that is NCAA Eligible. This group gets the most media attention and recognition.
Division II
It is a bit less competitive group of NCAA Eligible students. Athletes find a balance between traditional college experience and practice. Partial scholarships and financial aid are available for them. Also allows playing on a high level.
Division III
This is the least competitive group and it usually includes playing among other students of your own college. There are no sport-related scholarships or financial aid. But it still helps to get into college. Students have more focus on academic achievements.
The higher the division is, the harder it is to get in. But in any case, there are more than 300 schools that are interested in students eligible for each division.
If you want to apply as an athlete, there are several steps to follow:
Learn about the recruitment process. If you want to qualify for division I-II you need to meet several requirements to count as NCAA Eligible. It usually means required specific academic courses, GPA, and SAT/ACT score minimum.
Research the colleges that are interested in the sport you play. Each of them has different expectations from future students in terms of grades and athletic achievements. List all the offers and programs that are available for you.
Consult with a college counselor, athletes, or coaches on the process. Maybe, some of them can help you in the process and guide. Or they can share their experience, in any case – getting insight is always a good idea.
Register on the NCAA website and create a recruiting profile.
Get a recruiting letter or camp invitation from a coach. Always answer them with a personalized message and show interest. Visit the athlete camp to learn more about the team and prospects.
Send out your recent achievements and stats, or highlight videos to coaches. The recruitment process doesn’t mean that you need to passively wait. It is your responsibility to reach out to coaches yourself.
Be ready to get the offer and talk about funding or scholarship.
The college recruiting process has its timeline and deadlines. It is always great to start earlier and do extensive research on the offers and programs. And do not be afraid to take proactive steps and reach out to people that can help you with it.
In Summary
Playing sports can be a great advantage when applying to college. Although it is not for everyone, as it means having a significant athletic skill level. Depending on the institution, program, and division, it can even get one a full scholarship. The process might take some time and effort, but the result is definitely worth it.
