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Choosing the Right School & Team
College
- Academic Reputation
Match your academic abilities and goals to the school's philosophy and programming. For instance, potential architects should seek colleges that provide an architectural program or the opportunity to explore this discipline.  Many schools offer a liberal arts education; thus, those pursuing specialized degress (like engineering) must find schools that cater to such interests. Colleges also provide statistical profiles of current students and admissions criteria compare your GPA and SAT scores to assess compatibility.
- Size and Location
Class sizes can range anywhere from a couple of hundred to several thousand students. Often, smaller colleges offer a more intimate classroom setting and a better teacher-to-student ratio. Classes at larger universities are frequently taught in a lecture style. A school's location is as defining as its size. You must choose either an urban, suburban, or rural setting. Also, decide where you are most comfortable geographically. Do you want to stay close to home or are you comfortable moving away? What type of climate do you prefer? Within beRecruited's Find-A-School Tool you can quickly look up some of this information.
- Price
Tuitions range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Explore academic as well as outside, privately-sponsored scholarships. Futhermore, research the possiblity of student employement, as many colleges offer work-study positions. Most importantly, though, many schools offer financial aid through both grants and loans.
Athletic Team
- Coaching
Be sure that their philophies are compatible with yours. Ask coaches to describe a typical practice and week. Meanwhile, try to assess each coach's style and personality. Some teams have the same head coach for both the men's and women's teams; others have completely separate staffs. Be sure that you are comfortable with each coach. After all, you are commencing a four-year relationship.
- Program
Most collegiate athletic programs are markedly different. For example, a swimming program consists not only of wimming but also of weight and dry land training. Some teams work exclusively with weights, yet others use various tools such as medicine balls, power racks, and stretch cords. Also, pay careful attention to a school's facilities and be sure they are compatible with your athletic goals
- Scholarship/Division
There are collegiate athletic programs of varied ability. By comparing your performance with atheltes at each school, develop a list of colleges with programs that suit your skill level. many athletes are content to compete on the Division III level; others desire Division I competition. Whatever your ability may be, there is certainly a matching program. Remember, that only Division I and Division II NCAA schools may offer athletic scholarships.
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