RECRUITING TIPS FOR PROSPECTIVE COLLEGE EQUESTRIANS

In today’s highly competitive world of College Equestrian skill alone is not enough. Successful prospects have a plan and develop strategies that maximize converting their years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice into College Equestrian recruitment opportunities. 

Video, video, video…
90% of a coach’s interest in you will be based on your video. Invest in a quality video device. Even better, purchase professional show videos. Ideally, you want to have a library of 12 competition videos from which to select the 6 best to submit to coaches.
Start the recruitment process early
Successful high school prospects start the process during their sophomore year. The recruiting process is complicated and time consuming. Waiting until your junior and senior year can lead to highly unsuccessful results.
Spend wisely
Invest in a quality trainer, one that can get you to rated Circuit and Breed Shows. Coaches are looking for prospects with experience in highly competitive regional and national level competitions.
Ride multiple horses
College coaches are looking for prospects with the ability to ride all kinds of horses. Ask your trainer if you can work with and even show multiple horses. Catch ride whenever you get the opportunity.
Attend College Equestrian Team Camps and Clinics
Attending camps may be the only time a coach will have to see you ride “live.” Camps are invaluable opportunities to meet and develop relationships with coaches. Most importantly, attending camps can help put you on a coach’s radar.
Cast a wide net
Be open to developing a list 10-15 schools. Starting with a large pool of schools greatly improves the likelihood that you will be noticed by more than one coach.
Do your homework
Many colleges with equestrian teams have high admissions standards. College equestrians’ GPA’s are among the top of all female college athletes. More and more, academic achievement is becoming a deciding factor in the recruiting process.
Start exploring college campuses
Chances are you’re on the road travelling to competitions throughout the year. Take time to visit area colleges and begin developing an idea of the kind of campuses that appeal to you.
Extend you geographic search
Attending college close to home is ideal. Have an open mind about how far from home you are willing to go. The greater the distance, the greater the opportunities.
Last, by not least. Don’t make a coach ask twice
When coaches request information from prospects they are evaluating them on their ability to do what is asked. The worst mistake you can make is not respond to these requests or miss deadlines. Acknowledge receipt of the request, then get the requested information as soon as possible.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA COACH TEREBESI’S ADVICE ON HOW TO GET RECRUITED

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR COLLEGE VISITS

Keep these tips in mind to make the most of your campus tour time and help you find the school that’s right for you. The ultimate goal for is asking yourself the question “Can I see myself living here for four years?”

What are the most important qualities that you look for in potential students?
The admissions office may give you a solid elevator pitch of what they’re looking for, but it doesn’t always paint a complete picture. Ask a student what qualities differentiate students at this school from students at another school. The more people you talk to, the easier it may be to create a profile of the ideal student.

Typically, how many students are in the freshman class?
Knowing how many students will be members of the freshman class can help you identify where a school fits in your comfort zone. Some students might prefer a school that offers a smaller, more intimate setting. Others may not mind being one of several thousand students.

How many freshman students return the second year?
The freshmen who start off in the fall don’t always make it to graduation day, or in some cases, the end of the spring semester. A high retention rate usually means a school has a strong community culture and on-campus support system.

How many courses are taught by a professor versus a teaching assistant?
At larger universities, it’s not uncommon for introductory courses to be taught by teaching assistants, versus professors. But does that really matter? Yes — and more than you might think.

What types of honors courses, learning communities, and other distinctive programs are offered?
Many schools offer special programs or learning opportunities beyond the traditional course load. That may include things like honors programs, independent study, seminars, study abroad or internships.

What is the average amount of the financial aid package offered to students?
It’s important to also evaluate how much aid you may be eligible for in relation to your total cost of attendance. When you’re asking about the size of the typical aid award, be sure to ask whether the school guarantees enough aid to meet your financial needs.

What is the average amount of student loan debt for students who graduate in four years?
This is a critical question if you think you may need loans to pay for some or all of your college costs. Depending on the amount of financial aid you receive, you may also need to take out private loans to cover your college expenses. Knowing how much average debt students have when they graduate can give you a sense of what your own student loan burden may look like.

WHAT IS THE #1 MISTAKE STUDENTS MAKE IN THE NCEA D1 EQUESTRIAN RECRUITMENT PROCESS?

The #1 mistake students make in the NCEA D1 equestrian recruitment process is waiting to reach out to coaches until their junior year of high school. It is a common misconception that students cannot contact a college coach until their junior year of high school.

Students can email, mail, text or call a coach at anytime, but coaches are restricted in when they can reply or respond. With the exception of questionnaires, camp information, NCAA materials and nonathletic publications, coaches cannot contact equestrian prospects until June 15th following a student’s sophomore year. As a result, coaches rely on prospects to be proactive and contact them early regarding their interest including submitting questionnaires, registering for camps, sending  their videos, equestrian resumes and academic information.

We recommend that qualified prospects begin contacting coaches and getting “on their radars” no later than sophomore year.