Recruiting Process FAQ
The first day a student-athlete attends a high school class, they are considered a college prospect by the NCAA. Recruiting starts early because competition for scholarships is extremely high; for Women's gymnastics scouting can start pre-high school.
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
When Does the Recruiting Process Begin?
College coaches can recruit prospects on-line. Use Social Media to your advantage. Create Instagram, YouTube or Vimeo recruiting accounts for showcasing all of your latest accomplishments. Update frequently and send links/posts to college coaches. You can also start emailing Coaches to introduce yourself. Please refer to timeline for communication details.
How Do I Get Discovered?
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
The fastest way to get a college coaches attention is with a highlight video. They can evaluate your game, event or skills videos while at their desk or on their mobile device. Online videos can speed up the recruiting process for both you and college coaches. Of course, placement at Regional and National competitions helps to get you on the radar screen.
How Do Coaches Evaluate Prospects?
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Your coaches here at Gymnastics Olympica have established relationships with the core college programs and will be your advocate. But earning a scholarship or getting acceptance on a college team is the athletes responsibility. You must prepare and market yourself in addition to the Coaches marketing you.
What is My Coach’s Role?
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Knowing exactly what college coaches are looking for can make the scholarship process a lot easier for you.
Coaches Criteria
GRADES 3.0 GPA + 24 ACT + 1000 SAT (out of 1600)
QUALIFICATIONS Most college gymnasts are required to compete in multiple disciplines. NCAA I gymnasts are expected to place very well at Level 10 and place in regional competitions. Some programs require gymnasts to have competed at the National and International levels.
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Gymnastics Recruiting Timeline
FRESHMAN YEAR Research 2-3 schools per week
Create a list of prospective schools, consider both athletics and academics
Make a highlight film of skills
Attend camps and showcases with the goals of improving your skills and to gain exposure
Note for Women’s Gymnastics: some colleges ‘scout’ before 9th grade, but they still have to abide by NCAA rules.
RULES/TIPS TO REMEMBER Coaches can follow your development throughout high school at camps and in school
DI and DII coaches can’t personally contact you until Junior Year
DIII and NAIA coaches can contact you at anytime
Important to do be familiar with the school both athletically and academically
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Gymnastics Recruiting Calendar
SOPHOMORE /JUNIOR YEAR Continue to research prospective schools
Fill out questionnaires
Attend at least 2 college camps to be viewed and assessed between Sophomore and Junior year
RULES/TIPS TO REMEMBER September 1st of Junior year is the first day that DI and DII coaches can OFFICIALLY send you more personalized letters and emails
DI and DII coaches can start calling you during the summer
DI coaches can start calling you once per week and scheduling off-campus visits on or after July 1st
DII coaches are allowed to start calling and scheduling off-campus visits on or after June 15th
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Gymnastics Recruiting Calendar
SENIOR YEAR • Make official visits
• Follow-up with coaches and respond in a TIMELY manner
• November is NCAA Early Signing Period that non-football sports sign recruits to their best scholarships. After that NCAA Early Signing Period ends, college coaches are not allowed to sign recruits to scholarships until the middle of April. The middle of April is the middle of the season for spring sports, students are also preparing for prom, finalizing college applications, applying for financial aid, studying for final exams and getting ready for graduation. For all those reasons, it's imperative to gain early exposure for scholarship evaluation by college coaches to sign a scholarship during November of the senior year for non-football sports.
• Apply to the schools - applications
• Apply for financial aid FAFSA.ed.gov starting Jan. 1st
• Commit and sign with a college program
• Find out the summer workout schedule
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Colleges and Scholarships
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Men’s College Gymnastics Men’s College Gymnastics is in 15 schools; each give
approximately 6.3 scholarships per year.
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Stanford
Cal Berkeley
U of Oklahoma
Iowa
U of Michigan
U of Nebraska
Penn State
William and Mary
Ohio State University
U of Minnesota
Army
Navy
Air Force
Illinois
Arizona State
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Women’s College Gymnastics
NCA III do not offer athletic scholarships, but offer academic scholarships and financial aid. Not all college programs that are eligible to offer scholarships will choose to do so.
NCAA women’s gymnastics is sponsored by 82 member institutions over three divisions: DI, DII & DIII Division I (DI) schools are permitted to have no more than 12 gymnasts on athletic grant-in-aid (scholarship) at any one point. Some of the DI schools have less than 12 scholarships to offer; so they may choose to divide the ones that they have and give partial scholarships to individuals in order to reach the maximum level of 12 gymnasts receiving scholarship money on their teams. Ivy League schools compete in Division I, but are not permitted to offer athletic scholarships under the Ivy League rules. They are, however, permitted to offer need-based financial aid on a case-by-case basis per family in the form of financial grants.
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Women’s College Gymnastics
NCA III do not offer athletic scholarships, but offer academic scholarships and financial aid. Not all college programs that are eligible to offer scholarships will choose to do so.
DII schools are permitted to offer up to six full scholarships. However, the school can determine how they are divided. They are not limited by the head count rule, so they can have six gymnasts on full scholarships, 12 gymnasts on 50 percent scholarships, 18 gymnasts on one-third scholarships, or any combination of the above to get to six in total.
Gymnastics Olympica – Recruiting Process FAQ
Women’s College Gymnastics
View list of over 50 DI Schools
View list of DII Schools
View list of DIII Schools