Guide to Playing College Tennis

Remember to recruit your support team: parents/legal guardians, tennis coach, school guidance counselor, etc. These people can provide valuable advice along the way.

Identify potential schools with a tennis and academic program you want. Consult college directories and websites, attend college nights in your section or at national tournaments (when available), talk to students, coaches and players, and visit potential schools (unofficial visits).

Make a list of schools you would like to attend. If you have selected a particular region of the country and you would like a more extensive list of schools in the region visit collegeboard.com answer a few simple questions and you will be able to broaden your search in that area.

There are many ways to get an idea of the division that is right for your ability level. Research team websites directly or access these through the ITA (itatennis.com). Look for players you have competed against, to get an idea of the level of the team. However, do not rely on this solely as each player has selected a school that meets their individual needs academically and/or athletically. You can also ask your coach, visit schools and watch practices and matches. This will give you a chance to watch the coach interact with the players.

When looking at the different divisions, remember that just because a school is Division I doesn't always mean it is the strongest when it comes to level of play. There are some Division II and NAIA schools that are stronger than some Division I programs. Division I programs usually have larger athletic budgets and more national exposure, therefore attracting more attention to their programs.

In general, if you are able to qualify for National level events then you most likely can compete at a top-60 Division I school. If you primarily play at the sectional level you would probably play out of the top 60 in Division I or a top Division II. Division III, NAIA and NJCAA schools offer good programs so don't count them out.

Also familiarize yourself with the following:
??NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA eligibility requirements and recruiting rules
??Preparation Calendar for College Tennis

Establish communication with college coaches
Once you have identified potential schools and narrowed down your list to a manageable size, it is time to establish communication with the college coaches. You should include a cover letter, resume/player record and your tournament schedule. Coaches may be attending some of the tournaments you are playing and will know to look out for you. Videos are also a good idea, although you don't need to send one to every coach unless they request a copy. A sample letter is available in the USTA Guide to Tennis on College Campuses.

Follow up with each coach to ensure they received your letter. If a coach does not reply to you right away it doesn't mean they are not interested. The coach may not be allowed to return your call due to NCAA rules (refer to the recruiting rules in the previous section), or the coach may be traveling with the team.