Path to College
Beyond Youth Soccer: Deciding on a Path
If you are thinking college or pro or aren’t sure yet, the information on this site is important to consider and incorporate into your plan… You do need a plan, and you want to keep options open. If you are clear from the get-go that you are not focused on college or pro, then your child can enjoy playing on almost any team you might land on randomly.
If college soccer is a possible goal, focus on finding a supportive environment with appropriate coaching, meaningful playing opportunities, and competition that challenges your player. Build a plan around your child’s current development, academic interests, and family circumstances rather than treating one early team selection as a make-or-break decision. Revisit that plan as your player’s abilities, interests, and goals evolve.
We took our son as a high school freshman to his first D1 College ID camp. On the first day, he was overwhelmed by the pace, athleticism, and physicality of the mostly juniors and seniors he was on the field with; by day two, he had already kicked it up a notch and was competitive with the older boys. And so it goes…
College recruiting takes preparation, consistent follow-through, and active involvement from the student-athlete. Encourage your player to lead introductions, emails, and conversations with coaches so they can explain their interests and goals in their own words. Parents can support the process by helping with organization, travel, finances, and questions about admissions or financial aid, without taking over the player’s relationship with the coaching staff.
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Your Checklist (Self- Assesment & Research)
To get recruited for college soccer, young players should follow a strategic and proactive approach. Here are key steps to consider:
- Evaluate Skills: Honestly assess your talent, skills, and physical attributes to determine the appropriate college level (D1, D2, or D3) that matches your abilities.
Research Colleges: Create a list of target schools based on academic fit, soccer program competitiveness, and personal preferences such as location and campus size.
Maintain Strong Academics: Keep grades high to meet NCAA eligibility requirements, as academics are crucial in the recruitment process.
Play Club Soccer: Join a competitive club team to gain exposure and experience, as high school teams alone may not suffice.
Create a Soccer Resume: Develop a compelling resume with your achievements, stats, and highlight videos to share with coaches.
Contact Coaches: Send introductory emails to college coaches with your resume and video. Follow up with calls if necessary
Use Social Media: Leverage platforms to showcase your skills and connect with coaches.
Participate in Camps: Attend college ID camps to improve skills and get noticed by coaches. These events provide valuable networking opportunities.
Stay Organized: Keep track of communications with coaches using spreadsheets or dedicated email folders.
Official Visits: Schedule unofficial and official visits to colleges of interest to better understand their programs and make a positive impression.
College Soccer Roster and Scholarship Rules: What Parents Should Check
NCAA Division I roster and scholarship changes associated with the House settlement took effect July 1, 2025. At schools participating in the settlement framework, sport-specific scholarship limits were replaced by roster limits, allowing schools to offer scholarships to more athletes without requiring them to fund every roster place.
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When researching a college, ask its coaching staff and financial aid office about roster opportunities, available aid, and the rules that apply to that program. Do not assume a roster offer includes an athletic scholarship, or that scholarship availability means a full scholarship. Review the related guide below alongside the college’s current information before making financial or recruiting decisions.
Treat ID camps as a targeted part of your college research, not a guarantee of recruitment. Before registering, confirm which coaches will attend, whether they recruit players in your graduation year, how players will be evaluated, and what feedback or other services are included.
When comparing options, distinguish between:
College- or university-hosted ID camps: Check which members of the host program’s coaching staff will work with players and whether coaches from other colleges will attend.
Multi-college or third-party ID camps: Check the confirmed coaching roster, each coach’s role, and how much opportunity players will have to be evaluated by the programs that interest them.
Prioritize camps connected to colleges that fit your player’s academic interests, soccer level, and budget. Do not assume that every camp includes individual evaluations, mental-performance sessions, or meaningful contact with every advertised coach.
College soccer in the U.S. now sits at the intersection of three big realities for teen players: the dream of playing at the next level, the hard math of roster spots and scholarships, and the long‑term need for a degree and a healthy relationship with the game. For most families, the smartest approach is to treat college soccer as a planning project with multiple viable options rather than a single all‑or‑nothing bet on Division I.
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Additional Resources
Explore these guides as you research college soccer programs, recruiting opportunities, and the practical steps ahead.
- Evaluating College Options Compare NCAA Division I, II, and III through academics, soccer demands, costs, and overall fit.
- College Soccer Overview Explore college divisions, recruiting timelines, and resources for planning your player’s next steps.
- NCAA Division I Roster & Scholarship Rules Read the NCAA’s official explanation of the 2025 changes, including participating schools, roster exceptions, and scholarship flexibility.
- Choosing College Soccer ID Camps Compare college-hosted and multi-college camps and consider which options fit your player’s recruiting goals.