College Admissions Consulting NCAA Announces New Rules for Prospective Division I Athletes and Coaches Written by Emily Toffelmireon May 18th, 2018 I came to College Coach after working for many years in college admissions and high school counseling. As a school counselor, I assisted students in the college application process and wrote hundreds of letters of recommendation, while also helping them and their families cope with any emotional, social, and academic concerns throughout the year. I transitioned from the high school setting to the admissions office when I joined the University of Southern California as an assistant director, reading freshmen and transfer applications and collaborating on admission decisions for over 150 majors, including the liberal arts, engineering, business, cinema, and the fine and performing arts. I subsequently took on the role of senior assistant director in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, where I coordinated the division's Mork, Stamps, Trustee, Presidential and Dean's merit scholarship selection process, as well as recruitment publications and outreach, and traveled everywhere from Honolulu to Miami presenting to and interviewing hundreds of applicants each year. Learn More About Emily athletic recruiting, recruited athletes, The NCAA recently announced a new set of rules for high school athletes hoping to play Division I sports in college. The changes went into effect in April 2018 and primarily affect the timeline students must follow when it comes to in-person communication with coaches. All sports are affected except the following: football, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s lacrosse, which follow their own unique timelines. These adjustments are intended to give students more time to research and visit colleges, come up with a thoughtful list of target schools, and feel less pressure to rush into a decision in senior year. To help you understand whether or not a student may be impacted by these adjustments, we’ve outlined some of the basics. What’s Changed Official campus visits, which are those funded by the recruiting college, can now begin September 1 of junior year, one full year earlier than previously allowed. Coaches cannot have recruiting conversations at camps with any prospects prior to September 1 of junior year. Students can still attend camps prior to 11th grade; they just can’t have recruiting talks with coaches or be extended a verbal offer of any kind before then. Coaches can no longer coordinate unofficial campus visits, or talk to students during these visits, until September 1 of junior year. (Unofficial visits are those fully funded by the student or their family.) What Hasn’t Changed Freshman and sophomore year are still vital when it comes to performance and profile building. That means younger athletes should still be discussing strategy and goals with their high school coach, building an online athletic resume and video reel, and researching colleges and teams. Rules regarding email, letters, and phone calls between recruits and coaches. Check out the organization’s comprehensive Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete, which includes a detailed timeline recruitment timeline, to better understand the process for each sport. Related Resources Read | Posted on April 16th, 2024 Understanding Direct Admission: A Pathway to Success Read | Posted on April 10th, 2024 Acceptance by Emi Nietfeld; Why You Should Fill out the FAFSA Read | Posted on April 9th, 2024 Community Colleges with Campus Housing
