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College Preparation Calendar

For American student-athletes, the process of choosing a university lasts close to two years. The large number of choices and the fierce competition for top spots makes it important to begin preparations as early as possible. Below is a sample calendar that an American might use.

Junior Year (third year of high school)

September-August

College coaches begin to think about who they are recruiting for 2 years in the future and players start to think about the schools they may be interested in attending.

Students take the SAT exam after doing sufficient preparation in the months before.
College coaches evaluate results of prospective players.
Student-athletes work through a basic list of target schools that they are interested in.
Students work with college advisors and counselors to determine future plans and school options.
College visits and interviews are scheduled, Students gain a better feel for the schools and vice versa.

Senior Year (last or fourth year of high school)

September-November

Players continue speaking with coaches, scheduling campus visits and interviews.
Students take SAT for second time, if unsatisfied with their score or late test-takers take for first time.
Mid-November is the early signing period. Here coaches will offer scholarships for the next September to the players they most want to have on their team.

January-May

Students who have not signed early send academic applications to schools.
Schools schedule more campus visits and interviews with students.
In April & May, coaches will give away most of their remaining scholarships to players.

While it may be possible to wait until the summer after your senior year to apply for January enrollment many schools will not have space and there are advantages to beginning with other students in September. Students beginning school in January will make their choices by the November before school starts and should begin the search process by the Spring before.

Traditionally, International players have not done a thoughtful college search and accept offers at the last minute from the only school that contacts them. At GSC, we want foreign players to make the decision more like an American would. If players enter the process too late, many teams will no longer have scholarships available, forcing players to wait until the next semester or choose a less desirable school. GSC helps you work through this complicated process; and starting early helps us add maximum value.

Signing up with GSC by November in order to begin school for the next September is ideal.