This is the second in a series of blog entries by Girls Academy representatives through the end of the 2022-23 season. The intention of this series is to provide stakeholders a platform to write about things they find important both on and off the field. In this entry, Beadling SC player Paige Kuisis, a recent college commit, discusses her recruiting journey and offers advice to her peers who are actively going through the process or soon to begin a journey of their own.

—----

The college recruiting process may seem scary or daunting, but having recently gone through it myself, there are certain steps you might follow that can help you through this stressful, but rewarding chapter in your life.

Having been the first born child in my family and the first with an opportunity to play a sport in college, I didn’t have anyone to rely on for advice or guidance. My hope is that my experience can shed some light on this process for others. Before I provide specific insights, I first would like to share my story to give you a glimpse into what you may experience or may already be experiencing.

When I was in eighth grade I received an email from a few colleges asking to attend their ID clinics. I signed up with a few of my friends because I knew it was time to start getting my name out there knowing I eventually wanted to play college soccer.

Over the course of the next three years I went to college ID clinics that were held by schools in which I was becoming interested. That also allowed me to visit the campuses, which helped me determine which schools fit and those that did not. During this time period I also made video clips and sent college coaches dates and times of when I would be playing. Even though I knew they could not respond because of recruiting restrictions, I at least wanted to be on their radar.

After June 15th of my sophomore year, coaches were finally able to contact me and schedule phone calls to get to know me better. I was really nervous, but I knew I had to act like myself and be prepared. I gathered questions I wanted to ask them about the school and I also researched the soccer program so they knew I was interested. I also made sure to be my genuine self in conversations so they could get to know me not just as a soccer player, but as a person.

As I spoke with college coaches, I made sure to write down key points I wanted to remember to help me as I compared opportunities. I soon realized my priorities and slowly narrowed down my list of schools in which I was most interested. To help me with this, I made a pros and cons list for each school to ensure I was making an informed decision not just based on the soccer program, but on the school itself. Why was this important? I wanted to make sure I could see myself enjoying it there without soccer to ensure I would still like it even if I got injured. I also made sure the school I chose had the major I wanted because, for many like myself, college soccer is just a stepping stone to a future occupation.

As you think about schools that interest you, here are a handful of questions I asked myself during my own process. Remember, the answer to each is going to be different for everyone.

• Does the college have your major?
• Does the school offer great academic support?
• Do you like the current team? Could you see yourself fitting in there?
• If you got injured would you like the school itself?
• Do you like the coach?
• Do you want a big or small school?
• Do you want to live close to home?
• Do you want a team with a big roster? Does that matter to you?
• Do you like the campus and its location?

Your answers to these questions and others may also change over time and that’s OK. This is your process – own it, make the best decision for you, and keep an open mind along the way.

The college recruiting process still may seem scary, but you aren’t alone - there are many people going through it just like you. I hope this information helps you and makes the process easier, but remember, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to the process.

Everyone’s journey will be different, but with over 1,700 women’s college soccer teams, there is an option out there for everybody.

To recap, here are some things to consider:

• Reach out to schools to let them know you’re interested; don’t wait
• Ask for feedback from club coaches and your peers
• If able, visit schools to get a feel of the campus, the facilities, and your fit
• Do your homework on the school, the soccer team, the coach(es)
• Be an active listener when talking to coaches, players, administrators
• Make a pros and cons list for each school; be informed, consider your options
• Think about the school beyond just soccer; it’s your new home – enjoy all aspects
• Show respect to your parents, club coaches, peers along the way
• Getting good grades sells you as a student athlete and makes the team look better, but also may lead to additional academic scholarship opportunities
• Study the playing styles of school in which you’re interested
• Be smart about how you use social media

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

TopDrawerSoccer TeamRank Update - Girls

Commitments: Swayed by the Southland

Best U19 Girls Outside of ECNL and GA