Choosing a college can feel like a monumental decision for both student-athletes and their families. In many cases, everyone isn’t on the same page about what to consider and what to prioritize. That’s why it’s important to decide what matters most, ask lots of questions, and find a way to compare subjective and objective data about each school.
Dr. Charron Sumler, assistant director of Sport Psychology and Wellness Services at Ohio State University, shares three suggestions about how to approach college comparisons before, during, and after a school tour to help you make the best decision possible.
1. Do Your Research
It’s usually helpful to start with a conversation about the athlete's values. Sumler says that it's easy for athletes and caregivers to be swayed by the bright and shiny things that a college will produce, like scholarships and possibly NIL deals, but the right college should be about more than just the money.
Is there a specific major that the athlete wants to pursue? Is having a close-knit team important? Are there certain resources, like dietitians or sports psychologists/mental health providers, that you know the athlete will need? Make a list of all the key objectives the athlete has for their college experience before you start to look at what each college has to offer.
“I like to encourage a conversation between athletes and families before they really get going down the recruitment path,” Sumler says. “You may not all be on the same page, but it's helpful to have those values laid out beforehand so you're not arguing or confused when talking to a recruiter.”
Once you have your values organized, compile a list of questions for the recruiter. The broad question you can start with is: “How will the athlete be supported?” From there, get more specific and ask about the resources that will be available for your athlete, such as:
⦁ Tutoring/student-athlete support
⦁ Strength and conditioning coach access
⦁ Sports psychologist/mental health access
⦁ Registered dietitian access
⦁ Sports medicine access
⦁ Lawyers and consultants who can help with NIL contracts and questions about brand identity
After establishing what is available, also be sure to ask how often those services are available. For example: “What services will be available both on campus and when an athlete is traveling to compete?”
It's also important to understand how a school will approach an athlete's academic career. Can the athlete choose any major, or are there some that won't work with their sport due to scheduling or other constraints?
You may also want to ask about the worst-case scenario. Namely, how will the athlete be cared for if they're injured and unable to compete? While it's not fun to think about, it's important to know how an injury or inability to play for a season will affect not just scholarship dollars, but also the academic, physical, and emotional support that an athlete receives.
2. Make a Tour Plan
Have a list of everything you need to check out while you are on campus. This includes the obvious, like the gym and athletic fields, but it also should include things like dorm rooms, dining halls, campus public transit, sports medicine and health center resources, and any nearby downtown areas. You want to get a full picture of life at that school.
"I usually suggest that families divide and conquer,” Sumler says. “Dad can go check out downtown while grandma can tour the dining hall and mom can look at the health center — it can be helpful to have each person with you focusing on one specific thing.”
It's best to have a plan before arriving on campus. “These visits are like drinking from a firehose,” Sumler says, “because you're bombarded with so much information. Keep a phone or notebook handy to jot down any follow-up questions you might have, because you're likely to lose track of all of them.”
In addition to meeting the coaches and other support staff, Sumler suggests asking to meet with at least two current players on the team. Ask them (ideally without the coach present) about:
⦁ Team dynamics and friendships: Are athletes expected to spend time together outside of practice? Do they eat meals together, hang out for fun and study together, or do they go their separate ways outside of sport? With some questions, there isn't a right or wrong answer — but they'll help you find the team that's the right fit for you.
⦁ Cliques, bullying, hazing: Have there been any issues with bullying on the team? How has the coach handled it?
⦁ Problem-solving: What's happened if there was a problem or conflict in the past?
⦁ Downtime/rest/balance: Do any of the athletes belong to any other clubs, have part-time jobs, or do any outside activities? Do they get much of an offseason?
⦁ Academic expectations: Is it difficult to keep grades up? Have the athletes struggled, and if so, how did the athletic department handle it?
⦁ Academic/mental/physical support: Have the athletes you're talking to used the academic, physical, or mental health support services that the team has in place? If so, what was their experience?
3. Debrief After the Tour
Do a debrief so that you're able to compare schools later. Sumler suggests creating a 'feedback form' that stays consistent across all of the schools. She says that it may even be helpful to note details like the weather the day of your visit so you’re aware of how those factors impacted your impressions.
Getting these notes on paper right away can help you remember small details that could be important later. Remember, college visits can end up blurring together, so it’s helpful to write it down while it's fresh and reflect on it later. Even recording a quick video or voice memo for yourself can be extremely helpful when you're trying to recall which school had the best overall feeling.
Takeaway
When selecting a college, it's important to have an early conversation to pre-define what exactly you're looking for in a dream school. Don't be afraid to ask questions and probe for specifics, like whether you'll have year-round access to a sports psychologist, or if you'll be able to work with a tutor when you're traveling for games. While money matters, it's important to look beyond the scholarship and NIL dollars to identify the school that is the best fit financially, athletically, academically, and socially.
This content was provided by TrueSport®, a USA Lacrosse partner that is powered by the values of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and committed to championing the positive life lessons learned through youth sport. Learn more here about TrueSport.
