College Recruitment Timeline - Part 2
What Rising 11th and 12th Graders Should Know...
Revised July 1, 2019
Throughout a college-bound junior player's competitive career, understanding the recruiting process and the NCAA Recruiting Rules can aid in properly positioning a young player to be recruited.
This article outlines the major milestones and to-do's for players in the 11th and 12th grades.
A similar review of this information can be found in the Ping American College Golf Guide and the NCAA's Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.
11th Grade
Key Terms: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, NCAA Eligibility Center and Contact
Student-Athlete Responsibilities:
Prospects are encouraged to take the SAT and ACT
exams early and as often as necessary to earn
the necessary scores for the university they are
interested in attending. There is no limit on
the number of times a prospect may sit for the
exams.
International students should prepare for and take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) as most universities will require international students to provide a TOEFL score. Visit the following websites for additional information on these three key exams:
- For the SAT, visit
The College Board website
- For the ACT, visit the ACT website
- For the TOEFL, visit the TOEFL website
Students should have already registered with the The NCAA Eligibility Center. during ninth or tenth grade. After completion of junior year a current academic transcript should be sent to the Eligibility Center. Note, high schools are required to submit transcripts. Students are encouraged to have their scores forwarded directly to the Eligibility Center by marking "9999" on each test application. For additional information visit the The NCAA Eligibility Center.
Applicable NCAA Rules:
NCAA Division I college coaches are able to call, text, write or email prospective student-athletes at their discretion beginning June 15th after prospects have completed sophomore year in high school.
Coaches may meet with a prospect or the prospect's parents for campus visits as of August 1st before the prospect's junior year in high school. Only five “official” visits (paid for by the institution) are allowed. But a prospect can take an unlimited number of “unofficial” visits (which are paid for by families). Also, off-campus contacts are permissible starting August 1st before junior year. These contacts typically occur at tournaments or during in-home visits. For recruiting purposes, a contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect and a coach that exceeds a casual greeting.
Additional information regarding the specific rules and regulations that apply to college coaches and prospective student-athletes can be found in the NCAA's Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.
12th Grade
Key Terms: National Letter of Intent and Official Visit
Student-Athlete Responsibilities:
Many prospective student-athletes may still be taking official (or unofficial) visits to colleges during their senior year to learn more about golf opportunities at schools of interest. In some cases, prospects who have already made verbal commitments (perhaps in the summer before senior year) will take an official visit to their school of choice to deepen relationships with the coaches, university staff and other golf commits. Remember, an official visit is one that is arranged and financed by the host school. Official visits can last up to 48 hours. Although a maximum of five official visits are allowed (only one per school), additional schools may be visited on an "unofficial" basis..
Seniors may only sign a National Letter of Intent during the signing period which occurs from mid-November until August 1st. To be eligible to sign the NLI, prospects must be offered an Athletic Grant-in- Aid during the signing period. For additional information read about the National Letter of Intent.
Applicable NCAA Rules:
Students are allowed to take a maximum of five official visits (financed by the school). These visits can occur starting August 1st before a prospect’s junior year of high school.
A total of three face-to-face contacts can be made between the coach and the prospect starting August 1st before the prospect's junior year in high school. On-campus visits do not count towards this limit.
Coaches can call, text, email or write prospects at their discretion beginning June 15th after a prospect’s sophomore year.
Coach Brooks
Red
Numbers Golf®