The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions

409: A Crash Course in College Athletic Recruiting w/ Katie Andersen

Nov 2, 2023

Katie Andersen, a former NCAA Division 1 soccer player at Duke, now champions student-athletes through her organization, College Fit OC. She shares critical advice on navigating college athletic recruiting, from identifying whether a sport is viable at the college level to when to start the recruiting process. Tips include using social media wisely and understanding college coaches' roles in admissions. Andersen emphasizes the importance of being proactive and staying informed about recent NCAA rule changes to enhance recruitment chances.

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ANECDOTE

Katie's Journey

Katie Andersen played soccer at Duke and left after realizing she wanted more from college.
She then studied abroad, worked for the school paper, and became an RA, showcasing diverse experiences.

ADVICE

Assessing College Athletic Fit

Assess your talent by talking to coaches, researching college rosters, and comparing yourself to other players.
Consider academics, finances, and personal preferences alongside athletic ability when determining college fit.

ADVICE

Starting the Recruiting Process

Start the athletic recruiting process in your sophomore year's second semester.
Create a recruiting video, prepare an introductory email, and research potential colleges and coaches.

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My guest is Katie Andersen, a former NCAA Division 1 Women’s Soccer player at Duke University, who now advises student-athletes through her organization, College Fit OC. She’s also the co-founder of The Student-Athlete Advisors, which focuses on educating and mentoring educational consultants who advise college-bound student-athletes.

Our conversation turned into a veritable crash course in college athletic recruiting. We get into, among other things:

How a student can know if they can realistically play their sport at the college level
When students should start their athletic recruiting process
Can a college coach actually help a student get accepted to a university?
How college-list building is different for student athletes
Recent rule changes families should be aware of
Tips for social media
Tips for recruiting videos
And lots more!

Play-by-play

0:00 - Intro / Who is Katie Anderson?
1:37 - Katie shares a little bit about her journey as a student athlete
4:29 - How can a student know if they can realistically play their sport at the college level?
9:00 - When should students start their athletic recruiting process?
12:45 - Should student athletes visit campus?
15:36 - How do students know if a coach is serious about recruiting them?
18:11 - How can students be proactive in their recruiting process?
21:30 - What influence do coaches have on the admissions process?
25:05 - What are coaches looking for in student athletes?
29:51 - How is building a college list different for student athletes?
35:50 - How do early decision applications impact the students' athletic recruiting journey?
39:03 - Are there any recent shifts in athletic recruitment that students should know?
42:18 - How can social media be used to help a student in the recruiting process?
47:04 - What are some tips for creating recruiting videos?
50:32 - What are some of the misconceptions that students and families have about this process?
52:46 - Advice to families who are considering hiring somebody to help them with this process?
54:46 - What resources are available for families throughout this process?
54:43 - Wrap-Up

Resources

Blog for Student Athlete Advisors (Katie’s organization)
College Athletic Recruiting Playbook
NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
How to Choose a College: A Step-By-Step Guide
Podcast 121: Which Schools Are the Most Generous With Financial Aid? (US Version) - Jeff Levy, financial aid expert
Podcast 122: Which Schools Are the Most Generous With Financial Aid? (International Version) - Jennie Kent, international financial aid expert
Podcast 123: Should You Apply Early Decision or Regular Decision? (And the Chart That Can Help You Decide) - Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy