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College Guidance

This section provides information on becoming and remaining eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletics. It includes information on the NCAA Eligibility Center, as well as guidelines for college-bound student-athletes who are international, home schooled or have education-impacting disabilities. It also contains links to resources that will help high school student-athletes locate colleges and universities that sponsor their sport and compare graduation rates of schools they are considering.

This guide is a must read for any player who has aspirations of going to college.

Because the materials governing the rules, regulations and eligibility are every changing, here is a link to the NCAA Portal. Colleges that don't fall under NCAA jurisdiction are considered NAIA.
For a talented soccer player, finding the right college can be an exciting experience. There are so many strong programs. Indeed, the number of quality college soccer teams, including those offering scholarships, seems to increase every year as the sport surges in popularity throughout the U.S. and more foreign players come to the country. With so many options, a family must carefully weigh which school is best for their child. That may mean combing through mounds of information, including brochures, guidebooks and Web sites focused on university admissions and college soccer.

This handbook will familiarize you with the college recruiting process and provide other helpful information. Use it to complement other resources. But also remember that finding the right school requires hard work. Moreover, it means using common sense and listening to your heart. If a place feels right, it probably is. That can make for an enjoyable and rewarding college experience.

SHOULD YOU PLAY COLLEGE SOCCER?

If you are playing on a high level team, then most would think that you are bound to play college soccer. However, the commitment once you have made the team is similar to that of a part time job. Your job is to prepare and compete at a collegiate level. You'll be practicing more, not including optional training and conditioning sessions that aren't so optional. You may not be able select courses that meet during practice or you'll miss class when you travel to away matches. Indeed, in some conferences with schools spread over several states, travel to other schools can take hours. Crammed into a hotel room with two or three other players, you may also not be able to study. Academics, is after all, the primary purpose of attending college – at least for most people. But the rewards are undeniable.

UFC College Handbook