College Recruiting Checklist
FRESHMAN YEAR
Make a list of colleges you’dlike to attend (10-20) based on academic volleyball interests:
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Create your player profile using instructions on CJVA’s Recruiting Page
Be involved school activities and clubs as they look good on your resume
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Attend combines and showcases in your area, check the recruiting website for options or find some on your own
Start building a skills video. Have someone from the team or a parent video take games
Meet with Recruiting Coordinator about your list of schools
Attend CJVA Recruiting meetings and/or online meetings as scheduled
Go on unofficial visits to colleges as much as possible throughout the year
Attend College camps during the summer at schools of interest
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Update your list of colleges of interest (list should contain at least 10-15 schools)
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Update your player profile of any new information (awards, GPA, PSAT scores etc.)
Complete college questionnaires for prospective recruits
Attend combines and showcases in your area, check the recruiting website for options or find some on your own
Sign up for the PSAT (add scores to your player profile)
Register for the NCAA eligibility center at
Register for University Athlete at
Attend CJVA Recruiting meetings and/or online meetings as scheduled
Update your highlight tape
Go on unofficial visits to colleges as much as possible throughout the year
Attend College camps during the summer at schools of interest
Applicable NCAA Rules for Freshmen and Sophomores
- Written correspondence/email: Coaches may send you questionnaires, rules letters, referrals to admissions, camp brochures. You can write to coaches as often as you would like.
- Telephone: You may call college coaches, but they may not call you, even if it is to return your phone call.
- Coach Evaluations: They cancome see you 7 times during the academic year, and unlimited times during the summer.
- Off campus contact: None!
- On campus contact: You can visit colleges as often as you like at your own expense, and you may meet with the coach on their campus.
- Text messages are Strictly forbidden!!!
JUNIOR YEAR:
This is the most important recruiting year for all levels of athletes! Volleyball is a huge sport, and you need to do your part to stand out to coaches!
Narrow down colleges: You should have a better idea of what you are looking at in a school, and a realistic view of schools that you fit in at, athletically and academically.
Let coaches know if you are not interested. Recruiting is a two-way street.
Sign up for AP classes if possible as these will count towards college credits
Update your player profile of any new information (awards, GPA, SAT scores etc.) and Focus on Grades!
Keep in touch with coaches you are interested in and update them on your progress: Email them if you update your skills tape, if your team or you win a tournament, set a school record, etc. Right before a tournament that they will be at, send them your team’s schedule and ask if they can make time to come see you.
Complete college questionnaires for prospective recruits and visit college fairs
Take your SAT/ACT ( and send your scores to the schools you are looking at. Also, email the coach with your scores so they can input them into their own database. Update your Player Profile, and NCAA Eligibility center with your scores.
Attend combines and showcases in your area, check the recruiting website for options or find some on our own
Obtain at least 3 letters of recommendations
For financial aid, fill out FAFSA form ( and attend workshops
Apply for the NCAA Clearinghouse (
By the spring season narrow down your college list to a “Top 5-10 List”
Attend CJVA Recruiting meetings and/or online meetings as scheduled
Send scanned copies of your transcripts to your top choice schools and NCAA Eligibility center. These are more informative than just your GPA because schools can see your academic progress over the years.
Go on unofficial visits to colleges as much as possible throughout the year
Attend College camps during the summer at schools of interest
Applicable NCAA Rules for Juniors:
- Written correspondence/email: Starting Sep 1st of your junior year, coaches can begin sending you recruiting letters
- Telephone: After July 1st of your Junior Year, coaches can call you once per week.
- Text Messages: This past year, coaches have been given permission to text recruits.
SENIOR YEAR:
Important for both committed and non-committed athletes.
Improve your SAT/ACT scores if possible by retaking the tests (Dec is the latest for testing)
Narrow your list even more: Keep coaches in the loop as you do so
Compile a list with application deadlines!!
Stay in communication with schools at least once a month and continue to go on unofficial visits
Keep an open dialogue with coaches.
Starting July 1st of your senior you may start going on official visits to schools
Sign up for AP classes if possible as these will count towards college credits
Update your player profile of any new information (awards, GPA, SAT scores etc.)
Focus on grades!
Signing day is in February, however seniors can sign a National Letter of Intent until August 1st
Finalize recommendation letters, financial aid applications (Jan 1), and essay topics
Obtain final transcripts from your counselor (when applicable)
Make sure you meet all deadlines for applications, housing, scholarships, etc.
Send final transcripts to the NCAA Clearinghouse
Obtain your summer packet from your school and prepare for preseason!
Applicable NCAA Rules for Seniors:
- Written correspondence/email: Coaches can continue sending you recruiting letters.
- Official Visits: During your senior year, you may be eligible for FIVE “Official Visits” which means that the NCAA will pay part/all of your visit expenses. This is organized through the NCAA Eligibility Center, which is why it is important to keep that page up to date.
- Otherwise, rules are the same.