NCAA Recruitment Timeline
A comprehensive roadmap for NCAA soccer recruitment from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Follow this timeline to stay on track with academic preparation, athletic development, and coach communication throughout your high school journey.
Grade 10 - Active Preparation
Begin active preparation and initial coach outreach
Competition Training
Train to develop athleticism and sport-specific competencies. Learn to compete as an athlete by introducing new challenges during athletic competition. Compete in high-level tournaments and showcases. Update your highlight video with recent game footage. Track your stats (goals, assists, minutes played). Consider attending ID camps at colleges you're interested in. Seek feedback from coaches on areas to improve.
Core Course Planning
Choose courses to be successful in your field of study. Register for the NCAA Initial Eligibility Centre with a Profile Worksheet, and use the Core Course Worksheet. CRITICAL: Register at eligibilitycenter.org before end of Grade 10. Request your high school to send transcripts to NCAA. Take PSAT in October for practice. Maintain minimum 2.3 GPA in core courses (aim for 3.5+). Complete 10 of 16 core courses before Grade 12 (10/7 rule). Verify your courses are NCAA-approved on the NCAA website.
Build School List
Begin building a list of schools that match athletic, academic, and financial criteria. Explore college campuses and try to be seen by coaches during competition. Create a target list of 20-30 schools across D1/D2/D3. Use the Three Fit Criteria (Athletic, Academic, Financial). Research each school's soccer program, coaching staff, and team culture. Use Net Price Calculators to estimate costs. Attend college fairs and NCAA information sessions. Schedule unofficial visits to nearby campuses.
Initial Coach Contact
Contact and correspond with coaches. Send initial emails to coaches introducing yourself and sharing your highlights and competition schedule. Send personalized emails to coaches at target schools (use SAC template). Include: Athletic profile, academic stats, highlight video link, competition schedule, and personal website URL. Follow up every 4-6 weeks with updates. Fill out recruiting questionnaires on all target school websites. Send your competition schedule before tournaments. Track all communications in a spreadsheet.
NCAA Division I Academic Requirements
Core Courses
- • English: 4 years
- • Math (Algebra or higher): 3 years
- • Science (one lab): 2 years
- • Social Science: 2 years
- • Additional: 4 years
Key Standards
- • Minimum 2.3 core-course GPA
- • 16 NCAA-approved core courses
- • 10/7 requirement: 10 cores before 7th semester
- • Register with NCAA Eligibility Center
The Three Fit Criteria
Athletic Fit
You must meet the athletic threshold for competition at the institution to receive a merit or athletic scholarship. The thresholds vary by division and school and are based on the coach's input.
Academic Fit
You need to find the appropriate level of academic rigour and selectivity to match your transcript and ability. Coaches will check your transcript during the recruiting process.
Financial Fit
Your ability to pay is a combination of income, assets, and eligible merit, athletic, or need-based aid at the institution. Use the school's Net Price Calculator to ballpark need-based aid.
Ready to Explore NCAA Programs?
Browse our comprehensive database of NCAA Division I, II, and III soccer programs to find schools that match your athletic, academic, and financial criteria.