faq
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IF I AM GOOD ENOUGH, COLLEGE COACHES WILL FIND ME.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Many student athletes slip through the cracks because college program scouts have limited time to see a huge spectrum of talent between Canada & the US. Recruiting budgets can be small, which doesn't allow coaches to be everywhere. Recruiting is competitive and it is important not to gamble with your chances of earning a scholarship. A college coach knowing who you are does not equate to you being recruited by them and offered a scholarship. Colleges know about a lot of students, however, only a few will be recruited and eventually get offers.
MY SON/DAUGHTER IS ONLY 14 OR 15 YEARS OLD. WHY SHOULD I BE FOCUSING ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS RIGHT NOW?
Three reasons. The first is due to the difficulty of standing out in the first place. There are thousands of talented athletes between just Canada and the United States. Many of them are preparing for this process already, so utilizing a service like this can help to create a competitive advantage in a very saturated sports world.
The second reason is that US and Canadian schools are now recruiting earlier than ever before. Just like a player wants to gain an edge, so to do the schools themselves. Sports is a business and these programs are working to identify talent as young as 13 or 14 years old.
Finally, by starting at a younger age it allows you to prepare adequately for each step in the process. Taking the proper courses, enrolling with the NCAA Eligibility Center, sending in transcripts, etc. Waiting until later in high school can leave you vulnerable to missteps, which can be detrimental in the long run.
HOW DOES ELITE SPORTS & EDUCATION COMPARE TO OTHER RECRUITING SERVICES?
ESE has specialized scouts in the field that evaluate elite student athletes and focus on providing quality information & support throughout the entire recruitment process. We work as a support system and team for student-athletes and their families. Our main focus is on strong relationships, transparent communication and superior value in every aspect of our service.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE A SUPERSTAR ATHLETE TO RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP?
College coaches fill their roster position with players who can perform a variety of roles. It is not always the superstars that coaches are looking for to fill out their teams. Scholarship prospects must also have the ability to balance athletics and academics to attract attention. In today’s day and age, colleges have a strong preference for elite student athletes over individuals solely focused on being an athlete.
I HAVE HEARD THAT COLLEGES HAVE THEIR OWN RECRUITING SYSTEMS. WHY DO THEY NEED ESE?
Colleges do have their own recruiting systems and each one has specific needs and criteria. ESE is becoming a part of many of their recruiting systems. Our job is not to recruit for them, but rather to help them meet their needs. Recruiting budgets, limited personnel and strict rules restrict colleges. This means many athletes capable of being recruited are missed, or found too late in the process. We work hand-in-hand with the NCAA & U Sports programs to ensure talented athletes are identified for available opportunities, which benefits the programs as well.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY MY SPORT AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL?
Your coach or professional instructor is your best recommendation. If you've gotten this recommendation, work hard to improve your skills and get you grades as high as possible. We have qualified scouts that will offer an evaluation and if you qualify for our services, we will help get the exposure to potentially earn a scholarship.
I AM GETTING QUESTIONNAIRES FROM COLLEGES. WHY DO I NEED TO ENROLL WITH ESE?
A questionnaire is only an information form sent out by colleges. It does not mean that a college is recruiting you. A common mistake is thinking that a college is going to recruit you just because they sent you a questionnaire. This is simply an initial step in the evaluation & comparison process.
If you are a good prospect and you are not getting any questionnaires, it could be an indication that you are being overlooked. This is a very strong indicator to explore your options and increase your personal exposure.
DO MY GRADES REALLY IMPACT MY CHANCES OF GETTING A SCHOLARSHIP?
The better you are as a student, the easier it is for a college coach to grant you an athletic scholarship. Strong students may also be eligible for an academic scholarship, which can increase the chance coaches will have interest in recruiting you. Beyond the supplementary academic scholarships, schools also use your academic success as an indicator of your work ethic and overall habits.
You must register with and be cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center to participate in NCAA athletics.
WHAT KIND OF GRADES MUST I HAVE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP?
NCAA Division 1 schools require at least a 2.3 GPA respectively in a list of core courses. Division 2 schools require at least a 2.2.
IF I AM ATHLETICALLY TALENTED ENOUGH, IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE ADMITTED TO A SCHOOL REGARDLESS OF MY ACADEMIC RESULTS?
The NCAA Eligibility Center has the final say in your eligibility to participate in college sports at the NCAA Division 1 or Division 2 level. Student-athletes who do not meet these qualifications will not be eligible to earn athletic based financial aid.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME DURING HIGH SCHOOL TO BEGIN PROMOTING MY ABILITIES TO COLLEGE COACHES?
Many student-athletes begin the process as they enter High School. At this point, you can plan to take the correct courses and have the chance to take practice tests. Grade 10 is an ideal time to start letting coaches know who you are.
WHAT SPORTS CAN I EARN A SCHOLARSHIP FOR?
Scholarships are available in most sports, however, the NCAA sanctions the following: Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling.
WHAT ARE TYPICAL ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS OR PACKAGES?
This varies and ranges depending on the sport. Each school and individual sport program have a set number of scholarships available, as well as permitted funding to recruit student athletes. This will typically be correlated to the amount of revenue generated by that sport for the school itself. A great example are men’s football and basketball, which are on the higher end of the scale of course.
Most programs will utilize partial scholarship opportunities, which increases the urgency to perform well in the classroom. Being able to “top up” with academic grants & scholarships is highly beneficial for the athletes, families and schools.
Division 3 programs do not offer athletic scholarships, and only provide academic and need-based opportunities.