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Getting recruited isn't always about being the best
Written by Jack Delehey on August 05th, 2022
So your child is an athlete. Or an incredible trombone player. Or excels on a theater stage.
You’ve thought to yourself, “I wonder if my child can use this skill to help them get into college eventually.”
The short answer to your question is: Yes, they may be able to use this talent to improve their college admissions chances.
The longer answer to your question is when it comes to recruiting (athletic or other), I’ve seen the following hold true time and time again.
For the majority of high schoolers (95%+)...
Mindset, attitude, commitment, organization, determination, relentlessness, a lengthy window of time to properly get their name out there…and a willingness to be proactive…
are all more important factors in recruiting than a high schooler’s ability (athletic, musical etc.).
When I think back to my 15, 16, 17 year old days…I always thought athletic recruiting was simple: if you’re a good enough athlete, then any day a coach may walk through your front door, sit down in your living room, and offer you a scholarship just like the Nick Saban scene in ‘The Blind Side.’
Oh how naive I was.
Yes, for the starting Duke Basketball lineup, Coach K may walk through the front door.
Are you the next Alabama Quarterback? Okay…perhaps Coach Saban may give your living room a visit.
But for the vast majority of all aspiring NCAA athletes (or other types of recruits), this scenario just isn’t the reality…even if you are really, really, really good at your craft!
High schoolers–want to get recruited? If so, I have two tips for you:
- Start early. Freshman year is not too early. Sophomore year is not too early. Junior year is not too early. And yes, Senior year is far, far too late.
- Flip your mindset. Ask your parents what it’s like searching for, applying for, interviewing for…and then ultimately getting a job offer…it’s a lot of work. And it takes a lot of commitment, hard work, and a proactive mindset. Starting today, you are (actively) recruiting yourself…not (passively) waiting for Nick Saban to walk through the door.
Want to hear more about this? Including the very first steps any student should take in the recruiting process? Here’s a sneak-peak into my start-to-finish College Confidence Program, highlighting my 40 minute lesson on athletic recruiting. I hope this may help a few of you.
To your college recruiting success,
-Jack
P.S. - If you found this helpful and would like to chat about your particular situation, I’m always here.
Jack Delehey
Jack Delehey (Vanderbilt '14) is a college admissions expert originally from Concord, MA and now resides in Denver, CO. It is his goal to pass on his college admission knowledge, strategies, and unique perspective to high school students in a young, fun, relatable, older-brother type manner.
The college application process is often confusing and stressful. But it just doesn't have to be that way! If you are interested in gaining clarity, peace of mind, and a detailed step-by-step program to help your child through the college application process, reach out and request a free strategy session today.
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