Why Grades Matter More Than You May Think

So you’re a high school athlete who is thinking about playing college sports. That’s great! But before you get too excited, there’s something you need to know: grades matter.

Whether you’re the best athlete in the state or even the nation, if you don’t have decent grades, there is a higher chance that you’re not going to be able to play for your desired college team or even be recruitable. I know, I know. It’s not fair, but after all, you are a student-athlete.

College coaches are looking for athletes who are not only good at their sport, but who are also good students. They want to know that you’re going to be able to handle the academic demands of college while being out of class when traveling to competitions.

You may be asking, but what about that one high schooler with a 1.9 GPA that went on to play at a D1 college? In order to be eligible to play college sports, the NCAA mandates that all Division-1 bound high school recruits have at least a 2.3 GPA in the core courses, while Division-2 athletes have at least a 2.2 GPA in the core courses. If the GPA requirements are not met, scholarship offers will be revoked.

Our job at RecruitHer is to maximize your chance at success by helping you get the most offers. So if you’re serious about playing college sports or at least want to keep your options open, start focusing on your grades to maximize any potential offers and talks with college coaches that may happen in the future.

Ready to boost your grades? Here are a few tips that you can use starting today:

• Study regularly. Don’t wait until the night before a test to start studying. Start studying early and review the material regularly. Usings apps like Quizlet can let you study on the go especially while waiting in lines or on the bus home from a game.
• Create a schedule. If you know that you will be away from school for a full day or will be busy all weekend, figure out a time that you will do work and stick to it. It’s easier to plan ahead instead of scrambling afterwards. After creating a schedule or a study plan, stick to it. Just like you attend practice regularly showing your coach and teammates your reliability and dedication to the team, do the same for your academics. If needed, speak with your coach about adjusting your practice time in order to attend a tutoring session or after class help with your teacher. Holding yourself accountable is key.
• Ask for help before you actually need help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your teachers, tutors, or parents. Get ahead before you get behind. In addition, communicate your needs with your teachers and coaches. More often than not, they will appreciate your honesty and will assist you with achieving your academic goals.

Remember, college coaches look at grades and athletic ability. A good GPA shows that you’re responsible and a hard worker who is capable of handling the academic demands of college. Grades can even be the deciding factor for a coach in choosing between a student with a higher GPA over a slightly better athlete.

Don’t let grades be the reason a college coach can’t extend an offer to you. Rather, let it be the reason that a coach is even more interested in you.

Good luck!