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Even if you educate yourself well on how, when, and where to follow recruiting guidelines, you may still fall into certain traps along the way. Here are some pitfalls that college recruiters would like you to know about.
Don't overestimate your ability
Assuming that you're better at your sport than you truly are is easy to do. Very often, student-athletes (and their parents) think they'll automatically be recruited — and they simply wait for the letters to start pouring in, the phone to ring off the hook, and their e-mail inbox to be constantly full. This mistake is a common one in the recruiting process.
 | Family, friends, and teammates can either help or hinder you in the recruiting process. What you don't need are a bunch of yes-men — people who tell you no one is better than you, that you're the greatest, that you deserve and will get the best when there are actually equally gifted athletes around you. |
Don't underestimate your ability
You don't have to be the best player on the team and be named all-conference or all-state to get a scholarship. If you have some skill and a good attitude and work ethic, you can earn some scholarship money — even if you have to ask for it!
 | There will always be someone bigger, faster, and stronger than you. But you can always have something else to offer. Your attitude, combined with your willingness to learn, listen, and be a team leader, will take you farther than fast feet and good hands. |
Don't count on receiving a scholarship
A common misconception among parents and student-athletes is that a scholarship will justify all the time and money they've put into their athletic career. Even though you may have attended several camps and/or showcases and had your own personal coach, you may not get an athletic scholarship — and you don't have to get a scholarship from a Division I or Division II school to make all your effort worthwhile.
| In fact, many athletes opt for a Division III school because they want smaller class sizes, because they want a more one-on-one educational experience, or because the Division III school allowed them to play as they always had — with joy for the sport and free of pressure. Many athletes who later went on to become professional athletes or Olympians believe that a Division III school was the best choice they could have ever made. |
Don't think you're being recruited just because you get a letter
If you get a letter from a college, don't make the mistake of thinking that the school is now recruiting you. Athletic programs send out hundreds and sometimes thousands of letters to "introduce" themselves to potential prospects. More often than not, the students who receive these letters may never again hear from those schools.
 | According to the NCAA, a prospect is not considered to be a recruited individual unless a coach calls him more than once; the prospect makes an official visit; or the coach makes an off-campus, in-person contact with the prospect. |
Think of the letter you've received as the first of many exciting steps.
Don't devalue a partial scholarship
Full athletics scholarships are very rare. Unless you're going to play football or basketball at a major Division I school, the chances of your receiving a full ride are remote. A few other sports (women's volleyball and tennis, for example) at the big-time schools may offer full scholarships, but if you swim, run track, or play golf, for example, don't be offended if you get only a partial scholarship.
Don't be afraid to ask questions
Throughout the recruiting process, you'll be bombarded with questions from coaches, family, friends, and others. Because you'll be the one most affected during the process, make sure you take the opportunity to ask questions that will help you make the right decision.
Don't trust a cheater
| If a school or a coach has been in constant trouble with the NCAA, be careful when considering that school. The old adage "A leopard does not change its spots" may come to mind here. Your college playing career may not be as enjoyable if your team or school is always under the NCAA microscope. |
Research, research, research!
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