College Comparison Tool + Guide
As you go through the recruiting process it’s important for you to keep track of the schools you’re interested in, and the schools interested in you. We’ve provided a quick spreadsheet to help you keep organized. Here’s how to get started:
Download the College Comparison Tool here (you’ll need Excel)
Instructions
Each column highlights a different key piece of information about the school. You will need to gather that info from different sources. Here’s some help in filling it out:
College Name and State
Simple as it sounds
Level
There are many levels of college athletics:
- Division 1: Large scholarship programs at the highest level of competition.
- Division 2: Scholarship level programs with solid competition.
- NAIA: Scholarship level programs with solid competition.
- Division 3: Smaller schools with no athletic scholarships, but usually higher academic reputations.
- Junior College: They can be part of the NJCAA, CCCAA, or be independent. These schools are generally two year community colleges where you can compete at a solid level, while having the chance to be recruited again by four year schools. Tuition is usually very low.
Academic Rank
Colleges can offer you different levels of education. Here is a website you can use to find updated national rankings: Forbes list of top colleges.
Junior colleges will likely have automatically a lower academic profile, and will not be ranked.
Out of Pocket Costs
This is the amount you’ll be paying the school each year. Here’s how the equation roughly looks, but, make sure you factor in any other variable costs (like travel), as well as any extra scholarships you'll be receiving.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
- Athletic Scholarship
- Academic Scholarship
- Grants
- Work Study
- Loans
_____________________
TOTAL: Out of Pocket Costs
Loans
There are many kinds of loans that will allow you to pay for college now so you can get the education you want. You’ll have to pay them back later. They have different interest rates that will accrue, but the sake of simplicity you can add up them up in this column to have a general idea of what you’re looking at.
Redshirt
A program may have you sit out your first year, giving you a year to continue improving while you don’t lose eligibility. If you’re looking to play immediately, a school that wants you to redshirt might not be a good fit.
Athletic Scholarship
Full, Partial, or No.
Start in your first 2 years?
Very Likely, Likely, Possibly, Not Likely
Last Season Record
What was the team’s record last season?
Paid for Visit
Did the school offer you a free trip to campus? Many schools will be able to fly you out and cover you meals while you stay overnight with a player. Division III athletic programs cannot pay for your travel, but their admissions department can.
Campus
What grade would you give their campus? Include the academic buildings and facilities, the living spaces, the dining halls, the social environment, or just the feel you get around the college’s town. You can use an A+ to F scale.
Athletic Facilities
What grade would you give their athletic facilities, like the locker room, weight room, etc. You can use an A+ to F scale.
Interest from the coaches
This is measured by the amount of effort the coaches are exerting to recruit you. There is always some gray area in between these, but use the one you feel best fits:
- Low: I get emails and occasional typed letters. No phone calls or texts.
- Medium: I get occasional phone calls and texts from a coach. Emails and typed letters often.
- High: I get frequent phone calls, texts, and handwritten notes. I get something from them often and the coaches have come to visit me specifically.
- Very High: They’ve made it clear they want me badly. I get a phone call or a text everyday, or at least an email or handwritten letter. The head coach contacts me frequently. Coaches have come to visit me in person multiple times.
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