Few intercollegiate sports have witnessed as much change over the past decade as women's soccer. Indeed, the World Cup and Olympic victories of Mia Hamm and her teammates showcased the many talents of female athletes, and they set in motion a tide of change in the world of collegiate sports. The result is that women's college soccer recruiting is at an all-time high, and there have never been more opportunities to play.

Understanding the Process of Women's College Soccer Recruiting

To maximize your chances of playing college soccer, talk to your coaches about existing programs, being sure to consider both established programs as well as the up and coming ones that may be a good fit for you. Next, create a free online profile here at PrepChamps and make it complete with all your best soccer selling points. You can then use your profile to market yourself to college teams. These resources should help you understand the level of skill needed at the college level as well as the nature of college conferences and competition.

As you start to consider specific schools, be sure to think about the entire package. Remember that college is ultimately about getting an education. Playing competitive sports will be like having two jobs, and you need to know how you'll be accommodated. Is there tutoring? What is the expected course load? Most importantly, what is the 4-year graduation rate for college athletes?

Think carefully about these factors as you begin the process of women's college soccer recruiting because you want your school to be a place you enjoy irrespective of your athletic career. Ask yourself if you would like prospective programs even if you weren't playing soccer. This approach will facilitate the best match, and it's this match that will help you excel both in sports and academics.