College Preparation

Rachael Fiege was a lovely young lady that died during her first few days as a freshman college student.  Her death could have easily been avoided if she and others around her been better prepared for the challenges college freshman face. 

Whether you are scheduled to leave for college or not, being prepared for the next chapter in your life is important.  The social pressures and decisions you will be facing are different, more numerous and more intense than those currently experienced. 

Allow me to invite you to subscribe and listen to SafeTEA, a podcast produced by Rachael’s First Week, a non-profit established to honor the life of Rachael, to help prepare you as you transition from high school to college or whatever you have chosen as the next chapter of your life. 

Below is a note from Rachael’s parents:

We are one day away!!! Tomorrow starts Season 2 of our podcast SafeTEA by Rachael’s First Week. 

As many of you already know tomorrow, August 23rd, is also the day that we lost Rachael. This year, in order to celebrate her life, we are posting the first episode of our podcast in honor and memory of Rachael.  Help us celebrate by listening and giving us a review on Apple Podcasts. Our goal is to flood Apple with 5 Stars🌟 and make the Top 200! You can use the QR code below to easily navigate to our podcast on Apple. Click this link to visit the Rachelsfirstweek.org website

1. Find the right SCHOOL.
Make sure your prospective school, not just the soccer program, is the right fit. Ask yourself, “Would I still attend this college if I no longer played on the team?”

2. Keep your eye on the ball when it comes to your high school GPA.
Consider taking Honors, AP or Dual Credit classes, which can go a long way when a coach evaluates if you can stand up to the academic challenges of college.

3. Know the four components college coaches look for in a recruit:
• Tactical Ability • Technical Ability • Physical Ability • Psychological Ability

4. Take advantage of the athletic website to learn more about the program.
The coach’s biography can provide clues to playing style, philosophy and success of his/her teams, while the roster page can allow you to see if you model the type of player (physical characteristics, youth accomplishments, etc.) the coach recruits for a given position.

5. Arrange for a campus visit.
While there, see if you can spend time with the team. Gain insight into the program and experience campus life to get a feel for what to expect as a student-athlete.

6. Attend a game.
This provides a chance to get a first-hand look at the team’s playing style in a game situation and to see how the coaches conduct themselves on the sideline. You can also see if you have the ability to contribute and make an impact on the program should you play there.

7. Reach out to the coaches.
Let coaches know you are interested in their program and school with a unique, personalized email. Show you’ve done your research and highlight why you think their school is a good fit. Include your academic and athletic information, as well as a highlight video and upcoming competitions in which you’ll be playing.