Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions a student-athlete will ever make — and it's one that most families aren't fully prepared for. To help break it all down, we sat down with Dave Morris, founder and CEO of College Athletic Advisor, who has spent over two decades on every side of the college planning desk — as a coach, admissions recruiter, academic advisor, and consultant across NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA programs.
Dave's approach goes far beyond "recruiting." His 5A College Search Model helps families find schools where student-athletes will thrive academically, athletically, and socially — not just land a roster spot.
Whether you're a high school freshman just starting to think about the future, or a junior in the thick of your search, this guide — built from our conversations with Dave — will give you a comprehensive roadmap. Let's dive into the top 10 things every student-athlete needs to consider when choosing a soccer college.
1. Academic Fit Comes First
This might surprise some student-athletes, but your academic fit is the single most important factor in choosing a college. You'll spend 4+ years at this institution, and the vast majority of your time will be in the classroom, the library, and the lab — not on the pitch.
Ask yourself:
- Does this school offer the major or program I'm interested in?
- What's the academic support system like for student-athletes?
- Can I handle the academic rigor while maintaining my athletic commitments?
- What do graduates from this program go on to do?
Dave's Tip: Start building your academic plan in 9th grade. Stay on track with NCAA core course requirements if you're considering Division 1 or Division 2. Select courses and set goals with the help of your advisor — seek appropriate challenges and balance. You need to enjoy your classes, do well, AND still have time for other aspects of life.
2. Understanding the Different College Divisions and Affiliations
One of the toughest questions for college-bound student-athletes is often "where will I fit best?" within the different college affiliations. The truth is, Division 1 is not always the best fit, and Division 3 isn't always more expensive. NAIA and USCAA programs can be absolutely amazing.
Let's talk about the relative strengths of these different levels and empower YOU to connect with colleges where you can thrive.
Here's a quick breakdown:
- NCAA Division 1: Highest level of competition, athletic scholarships available, significant time commitment. Great for elite-level players who want to compete at the highest collegiate level.
- NCAA Division 2: Strong competition with a better balance of athletics and academics. Partial athletic scholarships available.
- NCAA Division 3: No athletic scholarships, but often excellent academic institutions with strong merit-based financial aid. Many student-athletes find this to be their ideal fit.
- NAIA: Smaller schools with athletic scholarships available. Often overlooked but can provide incredible opportunities and community.
- USCAA / Junior College: Great options for student-athletes who need additional development time or want to explore options before committing to a four-year institution.
Want personalized help understanding where you fit? Connect with Dave and his team.
3. Financial Reality: Scholarships, Aid, and the Full Picture
Let's be honest — college is expensive. And one of the biggest misconceptions in college athletics is that a "full ride" soccer scholarship is waiting for every good player. The reality is far more nuanced.
- Men's soccer is an NCAA "equivalency" sport — meaning scholarships are divided among multiple players. A full team might share 9.9 scholarships (D1) across 25+ players.
- Women's soccer has more scholarship opportunities but they're still highly competitive.
- Financial aid, merit scholarships, and need-based grants can often make a D3 school MORE affordable than a D1 school with a partial athletic scholarship.
Dave's Tip: Fill out FAFSA early — ideally starting your junior year. Getting an idea of what aid you qualify for can really help you assess college costs going forward, and make you a more attractive prospective student! Understanding the CSS Profile is also critical for many private institutions.
4. The Recruiting Process: What's Real and What's Not
This is where so many families get tripped up. The recruiting process is filled with language that sounds encouraging but may not mean what you think it means. Here's Dave's recruiting reality check:
"Keep in Touch"
Translation: "You can keep sending me stuff, but right now you are not someone we are actively recruiting." This is not a forever judgement — coaches DO re-evaluate recruits when they get new information. BUT, if a coach isn't interested in learning more about you, it is probably wise to expand your options! If the coach doesn't provide a roadmap for future communication, you need to understand that you are not currently under active consideration as a recruit.
"You Are a Soft Recruit"
Translation: You are not a recruit. Especially at highly selective colleges/universities, a coach can tell 100 prospects "we've got a roster spot for you if you're admitted" knowing that this translates to one or two student-athletes AT MOST.
Important: If a coach says he/she will "write a letter of support" but you do NOT get a "likely letter" or some other concrete offer of admission from the actual admissions office, you need to understand that while their letter is meaningful, they have used their admissions pull on other students. A "soft recruit" is NOT a recruit. It is a polite way of explaining that you are not a priority. As Dave puts it, the ethics issue comes up when a college counselor or consultant doesn't clearly explain this to advisees. This is an unregulated space, and transparency is a quality indicator.
"70% of Our Roster Attended Our ID Camp"
Translation: This is a great example of how there are lies, damn lies, and statistics. Of COURSE most of their roster attended camp — they sell EVERYONE they talk to on attending camp. But this does NOT mean they are recruiting YOU to their varsity team.
Think of it this way: if 100 prospects attend each session of camp and a dozen roster spots (over 4 years — so 3 a year) are filled by campers, that means less than 3% of campers end up on the roster. If they have 3 sessions, we're below 1%. THAT is the framing that matters. Unless the coach specifically follows up to schedule an overnight visit, submit your transcript to admissions, or communicate a scholarship/financial aid offer, you aren't in that 3%.
5. Campus Culture and Social Fit
You're not just choosing a soccer program — you're choosing a community where you'll live, grow, and build lifelong relationships. Campus culture matters enormously.
Consider:
- Size: Do you thrive in a large university setting or a smaller, tight-knit community?
- Location: Urban, suburban, or rural? Close to home or across the country?
- Social scene: What do students do outside of class and athletics?
- Diversity: Does the campus reflect the kind of community you want to be part of?
- Team culture: What's the relationship like between teammates? Between players and coaches?
"The purpose of all this is to find your perfect college 'fit' — it's not a game to impress your friends around a coffee table. Ultimately, YOU will be living this for at least FOUR years."
6. Coaching Staff and Program Philosophy
The coaching staff will have an enormous impact on your college experience. A great program with the wrong coach (for you) can be miserable, while a developing program with the right coach can be transformative.
Questions to ask:
- What is the coach's playing philosophy and style of play?
- How long has the coaching staff been at this school?
- What's the team's recent record and trajectory?
- How does the coach handle player development vs. winning?
- What do current and former players say about the program?
- How does the coach communicate — are they transparent and responsive?
Dave's Tip: When you visit campus, try to schedule an overnight stay with the team. This lets you meet your potential future peers and see the day-to-day reality of the program. It is a HUGE advantage of being a high school athlete — take advantage of it even if you don't end up playing varsity!
7. Your Development Path: Playing Time and Growth
Every player wants to start, but the more important question is: will this program help me become the best player I can be?
Consider:
- How many players are on the roster at your position?
- What's the recruiting class ahead of you look like?
- Does the program have a track record of developing players?
- Are there strength and conditioning resources, sports psychology support, and video analysis?
- What does the training environment look like day-to-day?
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8. The Importance of Campus Visits
You would never buy a house without walking through it. Don't commit to a college without experiencing it firsthand.
Types of visits:
- Unofficial visits: You pay your own way, but you can visit anytime (no limit on how many).
- Official visits: The school pays for your trip. Limited in number — save these for your top choices.
- Virtual visits: Utilize Zoom and other technology. Dave's team has resources to help you make virtual visits work.
- Overnight stays: The gold standard. Meeting your future teammates and experiencing campus life firsthand is invaluable.
During your visit, pay attention to:
- How do players interact with each other and with coaches?
- What are the facilities really like (not just the tour highlights)?
- How do non-athlete students talk about the school?
- Can you see yourself walking these paths for four years?
9. Don't Rush Your Decision
This is critical: DO NOT commit to a school based on their timeline. If they really want you, they will take time to respect your search process and be happy you chose them whenever you do.
Red Flag: If a coach is rushing you to commit, ask yourself — what is he/she worried you will find out? A legitimate program that genuinely wants you will give you the space to make a thoughtful decision. Your future is worth taking the time to get right.
Try to narrow your list to your top FIVE schools. You can always change which schools are in your five, but it's difficult to truly learn what you need to know in depth if your list is too long.
10. Build Your Complete College Search Timeline
The most successful college searches don't happen overnight — they follow a thoughtful plan that starts early and builds momentum. Here's the comprehensive timeline Dave recommends, broken down by grade:
Freshman year sets the tone for everything. This isn't about college applications yet — it's about building the habits, relationships, and mindset that will carry you through the next four years and beyond.
- Master time management NOW. Academics, social life, sports — you can't wing it. The students who figure this out early dominate later.
- Get involved in EVERYTHING that interests you. Plays, clubs, music, service projects — colleges want well-rounded humans, not one-dimensional athletes.
- Expand your circle. Meet people outside your team. The connections you build now shape who you become.
- Build relationships with your teachers. Show up to office hours. Ask questions. These adults become your advocates later.
- Find ONE trusted adult mentor — a coach, teacher, or advisor who knows you and can help you navigate what's ahead.
- Read. Seriously. A novel. A newspaper. Anything. Strong readers become strong thinkers, writers, and communicators.
- Attack your coursework. Set academic goals with your advisor. Your freshman GPA is part of your permanent record.
- Use your summer wisely. Get a job. Take a class. Volunteer. Attend camp. Don't waste three months doing nothing.
- Play club AND high school. Challenge yourself with a team that trains regularly and competes at a high level.
- Do NOT specialize in one sport yet. Cross-training prevents burnout and builds better athletes. Take an off-season from your primary sport!
- If soccer is your obsession — lean into it. Follow your passion. Just make sure you're still having FUN.
- Experiment. Try new positions, new training methods, new challenges. This is the time to explore.
Sophomore year is when the college conversation shifts from "someday" to "soon." Your academics get more serious, your athletic profile starts taking shape, and the clock is ticking faster than you think.
- Level up your coursework. AP, IB, honors — push yourself where it makes sense. Colleges notice the trajectory of your academic challenge.
- Stay involved, but go deep. Drama, music, sports, service — you don't have to do everything, but excel at what you choose.
- Balance is everything. Burnout kills more college dreams than lack of talent ever will.
- Take the PSAT in October. Score above a 180 Selection Index? Start prepping hard for the junior year National Merit competition — that's scholarship money on the table.
- Pursue something academic outside the classroom. Start a project, launch a small business, lead a club. Show colleges you're driven beyond what's required.
- Visit a college campus or two. Big school, small school, city, rural — figure out what FEELS right before you start narrowing your list.
- Have an honest conversation with your coaches. Tell them you want to play in college. Then LISTEN to their feedback — even if it's hard to hear.
- Start reaching out to college coaches. Send video, stats, and times. Ask for information. Plant seeds now.
- Play where college coaches can SEE you. If your team isn't competing at showcase events, find a way to guest play at that level.
- There are ZERO restrictions on what YOU can send to coaches. They may not be able to respond yet — but they ARE reading your emails.
This is it. Junior year is where your college search gets real. Stop thinking about it "someday" — own it now. The families who take control of this process early walk away with the best options. The ones who wait? They scramble.
- File your FAFSA immediately. Know what aid you qualify for BEFORE you fall in love with a school you can't afford.
- PSAT in October — this one counts. National Merit Scholar awards are on the line. Don't sleepwalk through it.
- Stay locked in academically. Your transcript is still being written. Adjustments are fine — slipping isn't.
- Show up when college reps visit your school. Attend every college fair you can. These are free face-to-face opportunities most students waste.
- Build your list: 10-12 schools. Not a dream list — a REAL list of programs where you can see yourself thriving.
- Create your resume NOW. Accomplishments, activities, leadership, work experience — get it on paper before you forget half of it.
- NCAA coaches can FINALLY respond to you. This is your green light. Reach out with a PERSONALIZED, AUTHENTIC message — not a copy-paste template. Include your highlight reel, stats, rankings, and measurables. You never get a 2nd chance at a 1st impression.
- Schedule campus visits — overnights if possible. Seeing a campus on a random Tuesday tells you more than any brochure ever will.
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and/or NAIA Clearinghouse. If you're considering scholarship-granting schools, this isn't optional — it's required.
Spring of junior year is decision-making season. You've done the research. You've made the visits. Now it's time to narrow the field and get serious about where you actually want to be.
- Take the SAT and/or ACT. Register for a winter/spring test date. If your target schools require scores, this is your window.
- Line up your recommenders NOW. Teachers, counselors, employers — ask early so they have time to write something great, not something rushed.
- Cut your list to FIVE schools. You can always swap schools in and out, but depth beats breadth. Know these five programs inside and out.
- Open the Common App. Start compiling what you'll need — essays, transcripts, activity lists. Don't wait until August.
- Sit down with your counselor. Compare your academic profile against the admissions data for your top five. Know where you're competitive and where you're a reach.
- Follow up with your top coaches. Silence from a coach? Have a plan — try to meet in person, or move on. Don't chase ghosts.
- Align your athletic and academic fit. A school that wants you as a player but can't support your major is the wrong school.
- Keep visiting. Keep doing overnights. If you have multiple offers you're excited about, start thinking seriously about committing.
- Know the real differences between divisions. NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, USCAA — each has different scholarship rules, playing time realities, and academic expectations.
If you've been following this timeline, senior year is the victory lap. You're completing applications to schools you've already researched, comparing financial aid packages you understand, and choosing between real options — not scrambling for leftovers.
Missed some benchmarks? Don't panic. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH. Start wherever you are. Move fast. Get help.
- Confirm you're on track to graduate. Meet with your counselor. Make sure every admission requirement is checked off — no surprises.
- Build your master calendar. Test dates, application deadlines, financial aid forms, recommendation requests — put EVERYTHING in one place.
- Request your recommendations. Give your teachers and counselors plenty of lead time. A rushed letter reads like a rushed letter.
- Submit early decision/early action apps ASAP. Have an adult review every application before you hit send. Fresh eyes catch mistakes.
- Verify your test scores have been sent — to your target colleges AND to the NCAA/NAIA Clearinghouse. Don't assume it happened automatically.
- Make your choice and COMMIT. You've done the work. Trust the process. Then throw yourself a signing day party — you earned it.
- Call EVERY coach who recruited you to share your decision. Yes, the rejection calls are uncomfortable. But that respect and professionalism? It could open doors to graduate assistantships down the road.
- Lock down your financial aid. Complete all paperwork. Attend FAFSA training. Accept your aid package. Don't leave money on the table.
Ready to Take Control of Your College Search?
Dave and his team at College Athletic Advisor identify colleges that fit YOU. Their 5A College Search Model focuses your search on schools where you'll thrive academically, athletically, and socially. Whether you're a freshman just starting out or a senior who needs help NOW, they've got a plan for you.
Contact Dave Morris, College Counselor & CEO
dave@collegeathleticadvisor.com | (719) 248-7994
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For more information about individualized or institutional consulting that puts you ahead of your peers, check out Dave's profile on Soccer Near Me or visit collegeathleticadvisor.com. School administrators and counselors can access free resources, appointments, and programs for school collaboration through the website.
