One of the many questions our clients ask is about, “SAT vs. ACT – Which one should I take”.  So I have attached to this email some information from The Princeton Review to help you answer that question, which you can download below.
But first I want to share with you some information that we share with our clients and also recruits, when I was coaching: 
 

1. Neither the SAT nor the ACT is “easier” or “harder" than the other, but different types of students usually do MUCH better on one than they do on the other.
    
2. Take both tests as early as possible, to find the right “FIT” and to give you as much time for tutoring and additional exams. 
    
3. Choose the test you scored the highest on and then work to improve that score.
    
4. After you choose the “right” test, you must plan to take it multiple times. For football recruits you should have multiple scores by October of your senior year.
    
5. Combining scores - If you have a really high Math score on Test 1 and high Reading score on Test 2 you can combine those scores.
    
6. Generally speaking if you are:
   1. Strong Math / Weak Reading = ACT
   2. Strong Reading / Weak Math = SAT
       
7. Scoring Differences
   1. ACT has no penalty for wrong answers, so don’t leave any questions blank.
   2. SAT has a ¼ point deduction for all wrong answers, so a “rule of thumb” is if you can narrow answers to a 50/50 choice – pick one.  If you have no clue = skip it
       
8. Colleges will accept either the ACT or the SAT – They are more concerned with high scores!
    
9. ACT has a Science section, which really is more about using charts and graphs properly (so don’t’ stress) – SAT does not.
    
10. SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary.

We hope the “10 THINGS EVERY FAMILY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ACT & SAT” has been helpful.  Please know that we are here to make your recruiting process a smooth and enjoyable journey.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call.
 
Sincerely,
Coach Cohen                                                                                        get_recruited@comcast.net
570-428-2872

Ola High School Football

2014 Fall College Recruiting Information Meeting

1. What gets you recruited?

• Height / Weight / Body Shape / Potential to be bigger
• 40 Time / Game Speed and Quickness on Film
• Transcripts (G.P.A and Test Scores)
• Game Video – Highlights and Game Film – How do you play versus good competition?
• Position Need At The School
• Scholarship Availability
• Character and Work Ethic Recommendation
• Make sure your cell phone is on and working so you can receive calls from colleges that are interested
• Make sure you voicemail greeting is appropriate and represents the best you possible
• Make sure you do not anything inappropriate on facebook, twitter or Instagram that would deter someone from recruiting you.

2. Hudl Highlight Videos

• Highlights have been marked by assistant coaches and the premium highlights have been made for all seniors.  These highlights were shown at the recruiting fairs and and these have been sent out to numerous colleges.  We have uploaded the transcript and test scores to the senior player profiles on Hudl.

3. Time Line Of Events – What happens now? What happens later?

• We attended two recruiting fairs (Cobb Expo and FRE South Metro Expo) this week and shared video, transcripts, test scores, etc with over 35 colleges.
• College coaches will visit school from now until the beginning of February to look at video, collect information and transcripts and talk with players.
• If the college is interested they may call the prospect, request more video, ask the prospect to come on an official visit, come to a workout or may ask to do a home visit.
• We will also follow up with coaches that we come in contact with and / or send video to see where they stand with our players.
• February – National signing day for Division 1 – All other levels can sign on this day but you do not have to....if you are not Division 1 do not panic if you still are undecided by this date.  Most smaller schools require a lot more financial paperwork before they will offer a “package”. 
• Make sure you are registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse.  After the start of the new year make sure you have completed the FAFSA form as quickly as possible.

4 .Scholarship Offers- Remember a scholarship offer is not guaranteed until you sign the scholarship, letter of intent and graduate with official transcripts.  If a scholarship is offered and you do not take it, but someone else does then there is nothing you can do.

• Division 1 (BCS) - 85and 1AA (FCS) -63– Full Scholarships
• Division 2-35 / NAIA -25– Packages...built from bottom up. They will require financial information from taxes, academic report for possible academic scholarships and then add in the athletic portion to make the package the most attractive to you and least expensive to them.  They can give “full rides” but most of the time it is partial athletic money combined with other things to make it work for both sides.
• Division 3 / 1-AA Non-Scholarship (Pioneer / Ivy League) – NO ATHLETIC SCHOLARHIPS!   All “packages” are based off financial aid and academics.
• Make sure you complete the FAFSA form as soon as possible after January (especially non division 1 prospects).  The faster you complete this the faster the school will give you a financial aid “package”. 

5. Recruiting Services – Please talk with me before signing up for anything.  My suggestion is to NEVER PAY SOMEONE ELSE MONEY TO GET YOUR SON RECRUITED.  If you are unsure of anything please email or call me and I will be glad to help.

Juniors – 2016  Prospects  / Sophomore – 2017 Prospects

What to do now!

1. See Coach McCreary so we can create our up to date underclass prospect sheet with accurate information.
2. Make sure your Hudl profile is up to date and your premium highlight is complete.  Make sure the first 3-5 players are the most outstanding plays you have on film to this point to get the attention of college coaches and to keep them watching.  Double check this video with your position coach and Coach McCreary in the next few weeks.
3. Work on academic core classes you are currently enrolled in.  Get the best grades possible now in your Core Classses!
4. Sign up for the NCAA clearing house for eligibility.
5. Sign up for the SAT and / or ACT now!  Plan to take one or both by February just to get a score on paper.  .
6. Work your butt off in the weight room and with our off-season program.  College coaches will be coming back in the late spring (April / May) for spring junior recruiting.  You want to be impressive in person at that time.
7. Summer – be careful with getting carried away with the excitement of recruiting and the process.  I would select a few of seriously interested schools to go to for a day camp if the school has shown serious interest.  Again, I do not want anyone waisting valuable time or money.  Concentrate on being the best player you can be and college coaches will notice great team play and want to know what players are doing this.  

Please remember you can email or call me with any questions about the process.  Also if you want to sit down with me individually I will be glad to do that as well.  This can be a long and confusing process for everyone and I am available to help when you need it.  Refer to www.ncaa.org for more detail NCAA regulations and rules so you know what they can and cannot do certain times of the year.

Ola Mustang Football

Spring College Recruiting Information Meeting

Remember What Gets You Recruited

·         Position Need by School

·         Height / Weight / Body Type

·         40 Time / Vertical

·         Transcripts (Core G.P.A. and SAT /ACT scores)

·         Junior and Senior Game Video (Highlights and Best Game Video)

·         Character and Work Ethic Recommendation from the head football coach.

·         The odds – 6.4% of all high school football players go from high school to the NCAA

1. Academics
• It is very important to make sure you have taken the SAT or ACT in the spring of your junior year.   I would suggest taking it at least 2 -3 to achieve your best possible score.  Remember you can mix and match your best sections to make the best Math / Verbal combined score.
• Concentrate on your core academic classes and the grades you receive in them.  This is what will determine eligibility as well as individual admission requirements.
• Make sure you have signed up for the SAT (www.collegeboard.com) or the ACT (www.act.org).
• SAT – marks incorrect answers – Only answer if you can get answer to two choices.
• ACT – only marks correct answers – guess away!
• NEW NCAA REQUIREMENTS- DIVISION 1 – 2.3 MINIMUM GPA ON SLIDING SCALE ON OR AFTER 8/1/15 ENROLLMENT AND 10 CORE CLASSES BE COMPLETED BY 7^TH SEMESTER.  DIVISION 2 – 16 CORE CLASSES ON OR AFTER 8/1/13 ENROLLMENT.
• Recovery Classes / Off Campus Classes – Make sure the course will be accepted by the NCAA for eligibility (School Recovery and Faith Academy are NOT accepted for NCAA purposes even the student may be eligible per the GHSA and graduation).

2. Video and Information Sent Via Hudl

·         We have sent video to many colleges, recruiting services by Hudl. We will send more videos in the fall with senior film and attend recruiting fairs.

·         It is very important to mark your best plays and put the best 3-5 lays in the front of the video.

·         Coaches also usually request two full games.  Please know that coaches want to see what you do when you do not have the ball or when the ball is not run your way.  They also want to evaluate what type of player you are after something bad happens to you or the team. 

3. College coaches to visit campus in late April and May
• College coaches are allowed to visit on campus 1 time in the spring recruiting period.  They will view video and transcripts, talk with the coaching staff, meet with some of prospects and possibly attend practice. 

4. College coaches allowed contacts
• College coaches can meet with spring prospects one time on campus and also call a recruit one time in the month of May only.  All other contacts must be initiated by the recruit or parents until September 1^st of the prospects senior year.  Players may receive mail but cannot receive phone texts or other phone calls during this period unless it is Division 3.  If you received computer generated mail it does not necessarily mean you are being recruited by that school, but rather your name has been given by a coach as a potential prospect.  If you begin receiving hand written personal letters then that is typically a positive sign in recruiting and interest in you specifically.

5. Summer Camps / Combines
• Be very selective in attending any college football summer camps.  If you have received written mail, talked to the coach at school in the spring, received an encouraging phone call in May and communicated with me about the sincere interest of the college then I would consider attending the camp.

• If you are a very good “tester” in the 40, Pro Agility Shuttle, Vertical Leap and bench press for reps then attending a combine (Scout, Nike, etc) can be beneficial.  Remember at the end of the day your measureables (height and weight) video (Junior and Senior) and transcripts will carry most of the weight of whether a college is interested in you so ONLY test if it will help you.

6. Recruiting services / making contact with coaches
• In my opinion, if anyone is asking to charge you money to help you “get a scholarship” then it is not a good decision.  As a staff we are committed to doing everything in our control to make sure you receive all the promotion and recognition needed to be looked at.  Remember we do not get you the scholarship – you do.  Our job is to help expose you to college coaches and let them make the decision on what is best for their program.

• You are able to make contact with college coaches about any questions or concerns you may have or if you would like to set up an unofficial visit over the summer to see the campus.  I would avoid excessive calls to the coach to see if they are interested in your son as a student-athlete at their school.  This would also include “friends” of the coach, etc.  

7. Financial Aid / Scholarships

• Informational Websites
• NCAA (www.ncaa.org)
• NAIA (www.naia.org)
• FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) – must be filled out as early as possible in spring of senior year after taxes are complete.
• NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net) – must sign up by spring of your junior year.

• Scholarships offered are not 4 -5 year commitments by the institution, but rather they are year to year.

• The easiest and most money available if for academics and test scores.  I cannot stress this enough for all students that want to play college football.  If you do not get selected for football scholarship money this is the best way

• Division 1 (BCS) – 85 Full Scholarships- Sliding Scale G.P.A./ SAT or ACT 16 core classes
• Examples – UGA, GA TECH, Western Kentucky, Florida, Florida, Florida St.
• 16 core academic  classes with sliding scale for SAT / ACT
• Division 1AA (FCS) – 63 Full Scholarships- Sliding Scale G.P.A.  / SAT or ACT 16 core classes
• Examples – Furman, Wofford, Richmond
• Division 2 – 35 Full Scholarships – Minimum 2.0 Core / 850 SAT- 14 core classes
• Examples – Valdosta St., Newberry, West Georgia, Carson-Newman
• Packages are built from bottom up (Financial Aid, Hope, Academics, Loan, Scholarship)
• Partial Qualifier – Attend 1 year with “C” average then begin with the program
• NAIA – 25 Full Scholarships-  2 out of 3 - 2.0 Cumulative / top ½ of class / 860 SAT – One Test- You cannot combine scores for NAIA eligibility
• Examples – University of The Cumberlands,  Shorter, Reinhardt University
• Packages are built from bottom up (Financial Aid, Hope, Academics, Loan, Scholarship)
• Division 3 and 1AA Non-Scholarship (Ivy, Pioneer) – No football scholarship money available – everything is built off your academics and financial aid FAFSA statements – Division 3 or 1AA are more academic and admissions to the school are enough for eligibility – Contact periods do not apply to Division 3.
• Not all Division 2 or NAIA programs are fully funded – they do not have the maximum number of scholarships available and if the school is public the out of state prospect may cost them more scholarship money than the in state prospect.
• You can take 5 official visits in fall or spring of your senior year – Official means they pay – could be travel, stay or even just lunch.  You must have an official transcript on file to take an official visit.
• You can take as many unofficial visits as you like – you pay the bill no matter what. You would need to contact the coach and college to set up a day and time.

8. Timeline of Events
• Juniors

oLetters – Sept 1 – Letters means you are on a coach driven “list”

oTelephone Calls

·         Division 1 – April 15-May 31 – 1 call

·         Division 2 – June 15 – no more than 3 total

·         Division 3 – No Limit

oOn Campus Visit – 1 in the spring

• Seniors

oLetters – unlimited

oTelephone Calls

·         Division 1 – Sept 1 – 1 per week

·         Division 2 – June 15- 1 per week

·         Division 3 – No limit

oOn Campus Visits allowed at certain times in the fall to have more in depth discussion about the school, program and interest in the athlete as a prospect

oIn Home Visit by the head coach and  recruiting coach

oOfficial Visits

oOffers / Signing Day