The College Decision: How to Choose The School That Works For You

College selection can be daunting for any student, but for athletes, the process becomes even more complicated and involves many more variables. While dozens of books exist to help families select the best college based on a student’s interests or lifestyle, there is minimal guidance out there specifically designed to help athletes in particular navigate this process.
And things get even more complicated when enticing offers are being thrown around.

My son Jordan was recruited by more than two-dozen universities. It seemed almost weekly during the recruiting process that my husband, Jordan or I received a visit or call from a college coach. It was often difficult to separate reality from a good sales pitch. Ultimately, Jordan chose to attend Texas A&M University. That decision was based on the college’s strong academic standing and the strength of its alumni association. Jordan had an amazing collegiate career and was a part of a team that went to three bowl games in four years.

Together, Jordan and I came up with a list of recommendations to help high school athletes and their parents avoid pitfalls as they select the college that’s right for them. It includes tips on how to choose the right school, maximize the college experience, and be well-positioned for life afterwards.

Choosing Your School

1. Location, location, location. When choosing a college, geography is important. Try to find a college that’s far enough away to create independence but close enough that parents can still participate.
2. Select a school for its athletic program, not its coach. While you may love the coach, he/she may move on to other opportunities. If that happens, what are you left with? Jordan had two coaches in four years. Remember, you are choosing a team, not just the coach.
3. Don’t buy the hype. Choosing a college is a big decision. Ask the right questions to avoid getting caught up in coaches’ sales pitches. Make sure the answers come with statistics and solid proof. Here are some examples of what you should cover:
   • How many student athletes graduate on time (in four years)?
   • What are the top academic majors for student athletes? Are they strong majors or fluff?
   • What is your coaching philosophy? In the past four years, what is the percentage of freshman that played? How many freshmen were starters?
   • Provide an example of the schools’ alumni support. What is the annual amount of donations/endowments compared to other schools this size? What is the job rate for student athletes within the first year after graduation?
4. Understand NCAA rules. Recruiting differs for each sport and division and may change from year to year. You need to understand the NCAA rules so that you don’t do anything to jeopardize your athletic future by breaking one. And you want to make sure the recruiters you are dealing with stick to them as well. You can find out more information at www.ncaa.org.

Making the Most of Your College Experience

1. Think about life after college. Look for how schools treat their alumni. Texas A&M has always supported Jordan and we know many other Aggies who feel the same way. How the school treats student athletes after they’re done competing for them is an excellent indicator of their integrity. It also lets you know that you will be able to have them as a resource moving forward.
2. Keep it in Perspective. It's important to choose a school that provides a great overall fit and that will allow you to balance your athletic ambitions, academic endeavors, and social interests. It’s okay to have a good time while you are pursuing your dreams!
3. Have both a short and long term plan. Each plan should include academics and sports. Academically, you want to leave college with a degree. Jordan graduated from Texas A&M a semester early so he could spend the spring preparing for the NFL draft.
4. Focus on the classroom. Thousands of athletes play sports in college, but very few make it to the professional level. It’s important that your athletic ambitions do not hinder your academic opportunities. Take advantage of building a strong academic foundation that can fuel your career prospects far beyond your years as an athlete.
5. Get ready to work. You have to understand that being a college athlete is a full-time job. From early morning practice to weekend games, your sport is no longer a hobby or an after-school activity. It consumes at least forty hours of your week. In many cases, you are compensated with a full or partial scholarship to pay for your education.
6. Stay connected. Parents should continue to be involved with their child’s education even while he/she is away. I was in constant touch with Jordan’s academic advisors. When I asked him how he felt about this, he said he really appreciated that we had a pulse on what was going on with him academically.

Here are some resources to find the best environment for you as a student-athlete:

• Best Athletics: Best Athletics ranks 274 colleges based on eight statistics and more than 200,000 student opinions on athletics from nearly 75,000 students.
• STACK.com's Elite 50: Ranking the 50 Best Colleges for Athletes – In addition to ranking the top 50 colleges for student-athletes based on both athletic and academic success, STACK.com also breaks down rankings by sport.
• U.S. News & World Report: College Rankings – U.S. News provides nearly 50 different types of numerical rankings and lists to help you narrow your college search.
• The Princeton Review: Colleges and Majors – Access rankings and lists, search for the best schools by major/location/etc, and more on this great website.