Are you considering running at the next level? Are you and your family overwhelmed and mystified with the college application and recruiting process? Do you have what it takes to compete at the collegiate level?

Dr. Mendeszoon and officers of the Maple Leaf Track Club can direct you in the right direction to find the school of your choice and hopefully allow you to continue your athletic career. Dr. Mendeszoon has over twenty years of experience with the college recruiting process. As a scholarship student-athlete, collegiate track coach and now a high school track coach he has the experience and knowledge to help individuals compete in college. Most of all, he has established a vast network of contacts at various colleges throughout the country. In the last several years, many of his former athletes have been recruited to compete at the collegiate level, with several athletes receiving academic-athletic scholarships.

Dr. Mendeszoon can assist you and your family with this exciting but yet perplexing time of your life by eliminating all the confusion and frustration with the college search. Early preparation, established goals and family support combined with Dr. Mendeszoon's contacts could provide each graduating high school student-athlete a great opportunity to compete at the post secondary level.

1. NCAA- National Collegiate Athletic Association. The governing body of collegiate athletics. There are three divisions in the NCAA:



1. Division One- Bigger schools that have larger numbers of athletic scholarships.



2. Division Two- Smaller schools that have smaller numbers of athletic scholarships.



3. Division Three- Smallest schools that offer no athletic scholarships.



2. NAIA- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The governing body of smaller institutions that do not participate in the NCAA. Some athletic scholarships are available.


3. NJCAA- National Junior College Athletic Association. Junior colleges (JUCO's) that are two-year schools. Some athletic scholarships are available. After two years an associate's degree can be obtained and the student-athlete can transfer to a four-year school without penalties.


4. Scholarship- A reward of money given to a student or athlete that performs exceptionally well academically or athletically. These do not have to be paid back.


5. Grant In Aid- A financial sum of money that may come from the government, college or other outside sources that usually do not have to be paid back.


6. Loan- A sum of money that can be borrowed BUT must be paid back in usually 5-10 years. Interest is applied to the initial sum of money during pay back.


7. Financial Aid Form- A very important document that must be completed by all college bound seniors. This form is through a national association that will assign a number to you. Depending on your family's financial situation will determine the number and how much financial aid you may receive. This has NO impact on scholarship offers but possibly on Grant In Aids offers.


8. NCAA Clearinghouse- A mandatory application/registration that MUST be completed by All college bound student-athletes who intend to compete at the NCAA division one or two level.


9. Early Admission Process- When a prospective high school student applies to a particular college before regular admissions are granted. The student is usually only allowed to apply to one college and if accepted they must attend that particular college. The early admission deadline is usually mid October to early November.


10. Regular Admissions Process- A high school student may apply to several colleges and then choose which school to attend. The deadline for must schools is January first.


11. College Acceptance- When a college accepts you to their school without restrictions.


12. College Denial/Rejection- When a college does not grant you admission to their school.


13. Deferred Acceptance/Wait Listed- When a college places you on a list with other applicants and waits until other accepted students accepts or rejects admission to the school.


14. Special Admissions- When a head coach can assist a student-athlete to get accepted to the school if it is either past application deadline or if student doesn't have the necessary academic criteria to enter the school on their own merit. This is a QUOTA college coaches have each year for special athletes.


15. Matriculate- When a student enrolls at a college and officially becomes a college person.


16. Full Time Student- When a student takes a certain number of credit hours per semester or quarter. Each institution determines this on an individual school's bylaws. In order to compete in college a student-athlete must be a full time student.


17. Part Time Student- When a student takes less than the recommended course load for full time status.


18. Semester- Usually a 15-16 week period that school is in full session. There are two semesters per year a student must be matriculated for full time status.


19. Quarters- Usually a 10-week period that school is in full session. There are three quarters a year a student must be matriculated for full time status.


20. Summer session- Usually a 5-week session when class can be taken. Classes are generally on a more intense schedule than during the school year.


21. Red Shirt Year- When a student-athlete is held out of competition for the school year due to various reasons such as injuries, coach's decision, or transfer students.


22. Transfer Student- A student that leaves one college to attend another college.


23. Eligibility- A student must maintain a certain grade point average in order to compete in college( usually a 2.0 GPA).


24. Amateur- A student may not ACCEPT any gifts of monetary value for their participation in their sport while enrolled as a student-athlete.


25. Release Form- If a student transfers from one college to another, they will need a document from their previous coach and athletic director stating they give the athlete permission to talk or be recruited by other schools.

The NCAA allows each Division One track program a maximum of 12.7 male and 18 female full scholarships. Division Two programs are allowed a maximum of 12.6 full scholarships for BOTH male and female programs. Although this is the maximum number of scholarships allowed not all schools grant this number of awards to their athletes. The number of scholarships awarded to athletes is based on each institution's financial situation. Thus, some schools offer less than the maximum allotted number of scholarships. Most college track coaches can divide the scholarships into partial scholarships so that they can recruit more student-athletes.

Currently there approximately 270 Division One and over 140 Division Two Men's programs that offer track and field scholarships. There are over 300 Division One and over 100 Division Two Women's programs that offer scholarships. It is estimated that there are over 5300 scholarships available for men and over 8500 scholarships for women available in the NCAA.

If an athlete transfers from one NCAA division one institution to another, the athlete generally must sit out (red shirt) the next year without any scholarship awards. If the athlete does not obtain a "release form" from their old coach and athletic director the athlete may sit out two years. If an NCAA athlete transfers to a lower division school then the athlete can compete the following year with a possible scholarship award.

The NAIA has offer 300 member colleges. Athletics is a very important part of NAIA schools and over 90% of these schools offer athletic scholarships. The number of scholarships available is based on each individual school and generally the number of scholarships may be less than what is offered in the NCAA. The NAIA has slightly different rules and fewer restrictions than the NCAA with the recruitment of a student-athlete. If an athlete transfers from one NAIA institution to another the athlete will be able to compete the next year without penalties and be available for a possible scholarship.

The NJCAA has over 60 men's and women's track programs and approximately 100 cross country programs. Athletic scholarships are available through each institution. The NJCAA has its own regulations regarding the recruitment of an athlete. Once an athlete completes their associates degree they can go on to a four year college without sitting out a year unless the coach red shirts the athlete.

One of the reasons there is a difference in the number of scholarships between men and women track programs is partly due to financial status of a school and Title IX. Title IX is a program that has been enacted in the early 1970's for the equality of men and women's sports programs in the NCAA. The fact that football has between 75-85 full scholarships for their male athletes has made it very difficult for survival of male non-revenue sports (track, wrestling, gymnastics and soccer are the programs most threatened).

Cross country and track are usually recognized as one sport and therefore most scholarship distance runners should expect to compete in cross country and track.

College athletes have ONLY FOUR years of eligibility to compete in college.

College Preparation Timeline

PRE-HIGH SCHOOL

1. Parents and students should determine if the student-athlete will be attending college after high school.


2. Family financial planning for college should already be initiated and a savings account for college established.


3. If no college savings account established, START NOW!!!

FRESHMAN YEAR

1. Student-athletes should get acclimated to high school studies and athletics.


2. Athletics should be competitive but more importantly FUN.


3. Stay in close contact with academic counselors, teaches and coaches.


4. Enjoy summer vacation. Attempt to save some money for college.

SOPHOMORE YEAR

1. Take appropriate college prep classes.


2. Stay in contact with academic counselors, teaches and coaches.


3. Take the college prep test: PSAT or Pre ACT exams.


4. Determine if student-athlete wants to compete in college.


5. Diversify interest and commit to other activities.


6. Start researching different colleges and keep files on attractive schools.

JUNIOR YEAR

1. Fall semester make WISH LIST of schools you like.


2. Take ACT and SAT exams.


3. Visit attractive schools with parents.


4. Visit schools where older friends & family may attend.


5. Attend college open houses in your area.


6. Talk to your teaches, counselors and coaches about schools.


7. Start thinking about what college major you may like.


8. Try to attend collegiate track/xc meets to see the level of competition.


9. Discuss financial situation with parents.


10. Commit yourself to your sport this year if you want to run in college (most important year for running in high school).


11. Spring semester take Act and SAT exams.


12. Try to extend your season as long as possible in the summer in order to post some good marks (USATF or AAU meets).


13. July 1st (before senior year) college coaches may contact you directly or you may contact the college coach. Prior to this date, no direct contact between athlete and coach may take place.

SENIOR YEAR

1. Start requesting applications from potential schools.


2. Take ACT or SAT exams if necessary.


3. Start developing your resume and college essays (why a college should select you into their institution).


4. Determine what type of school you envision yourself attending (public, private, big, small, country, suburb or city).


5. Talk to friends, family and peers regarding all different schools.


6. Remain in close contact with teachers, counselors and coaches.


7. Have your coach make contact with schools for you.


8. Make unofficial and official college visits (official visits are when the college pays for your trip; only allowed FIVE official visits).


9. Early admissions deadlines are typically in October or November.


10. Start preparing applications.


11. Obtain Financial Aid Forms (FAF) from counselors deadline typically January 1st.)


12. Regular admission deadline is typically January to February.


13. Try to narrow down school selection to no more than ten schools.


14. Keep copies of ALL applications you sent to schools.


15. Send your applications to schools certified mail (this gives you a date received by college).


16. Attempt to apply on line. This may be less money than regular mail.


17. Once accepted to schools, make final decision with family and coaches. If scholarship athlete review offer with coach and parents.


18. Keep original acceptance document and scholarship offers in secure place.


19. Graduate High School.


20. Enjoy your last summer before school and get a part time job to earn money for school.

• Maple Leaf Track Club College Recruiting Form