Welcome to the Recruiting Help Center.
Here you will learn all the basics and have the resources to take the first steps in the college recruiting process.
Athletics
So many schools, so many sports programs, and so many divisions. It can be overwhelming to navigate the world of college sports and find the right fit for you as a student-athlete.
How do you decide which ones are the best fit for you when it comes to your sport?
This blog post will explore what you need to consider when evaluating different schools to play at athletically.
When considering what schools you can play at athletically, you first need to review the recruiting standards for your sport.
These standards can vary greatly from sport to sport. Sports like Track and Field and Swimming have firm minimum recruiting standards. Other sports, like Soccer and Hockey, are more subjective but still require you to play at a high level.
Go to our (Recruiting Standards) page to find the recruiting standards for your sport.
After reviewing the Recruiting Standards, you may better understand what division is best for you. Go to (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA explained) to learn everything about the different divisions.
Before you start researching schools, you must know what you want from your college athletic experience.
• Are you hoping to play professionally after college?
• Do you want to play for a school with a strong record of success in your sport?
• Are you just looking for a great athletic experience?
• Do you want to be part of a team that has a positive and supportive culture?
These are just a few factors to consider when evaluating your athletic goals. Then, based on the answers and understanding the difference between NCAA, NAIA, and NCJAA, it will be easier to decide which college fits best for you.
You can even look at the conferences after reviewing the recruiting standards and knowing your athletic goals.
Conferences are groups of schools that compete against each other in the same sport. Therefore, the conference a school belongs to can significantly impact the level of competition and the type of opportunities available to athletes.
For example, some conferences are known for being particularly strong in certain sports. In contrast, others may be more focused on regional competition.
Some athletes choose a school based on its conference for geographical reasons. For example, they may want to stay close to home, while others may prioritize the level of competition offered by a particular conference.
Regardless of the reasons, athletes need to consider the conference a school belongs to when making their decision, as it can significantly impact their athletic experience.
Choosing the right school to play at athletically is a big decision that can impact your college experience and future career. Considering the recruiting standards and your athletic goals, you can make an informed decision that sets you up for success on and off the field.
At +31 Sports, we're seasoned pros in identifying the best athletic fit for our athletes. With a successful track record of helping numerous athletes secure scholarships at their preferred schools, we are dedicated to making your athletic dreams a reality.
