Image courtesy of Bryn Mawr School, edited by Sophia K. ‘26
College Recruiting: Where Can You Start?
By: Brynn B.’26
Anyone who has been down Bryn Mawr’s main street outside the KVB gym has noticed, and likely stopped to skim through, the list of alumni who have or are playing a sport in college. This display is proof of the athletic talent and achievement of our students, but even more than that, it is a nod to the dedication and hard work that got them there. As a community, it is so important that we recognize the student-athletes who have successfully committed to continuing with their sport at the next level, whichever division it may be, because only around 6% of high school athletes go on to play in college. However, we should also recognize the coaches, trainers, and athletic directors who support these athletes along their journeys, because the college recruitment process can be a notoriously challenging one to navigate alone.
If you are someone who is just beginning to look into college recruiting, it can be intimidating just trying to figure out where to start. When asked what she would suggest, Coach Molly Wolf, Bryn Mawr’s assistant athletic director, recruiting coordinator, and Varsity Lacrosse coach, recommends that a good first step would be to just set up a meeting with her. You should have a talk with your parents and coaches about your goals and interests, so that they can help you think over what kinds of schools would be a good fit for you. Wolf notes that “It’s a process, and it’s your process, there is no cookie cutter recruiting process. You could be recruited in a week, or you could be recruited in two years.”. Every athlete’s path will look different depending on what their priorities are and what they are like, not just in their sport, but also as a person. She stresses the importance of not comparing your process to others around you, because the biggest priority truly is to end up at a school that you really love and are excited to go to. It is really easy to get caught up in other people’s offers or commitments, especially with the amount that goes onto social media, but you have to be willing to trust your own timeline.
One of the biggest challenges in the recruitment process is making yourself stand out amongst others in your sport. There were more than 8 million highschool athletes in the 2023-24 school year, which means that in order to continue competing in college, you need to find a way to get yourself exposure. Coach Wolf argues that the most beneficial thing you can do for yourself is be proactive. You can’t always assume that coaches will find you first, so you should be emailing the coaches on your list to get their attention. It can be helpful for your high school or club coaches to reach out to schools for you, but it’s even more important to be advocating for yourself. Wolf also believes that when reaching out to coaches, “extra personal things can go a long way”; sharing details about yourself or your interests can help you form the connections with coaches that will make you stand out. In many ways, college recruiting can be compared to dating. You have to consider whether or not you match up athletically and academically with a school, while they are thinking about the same things. While these details are being figured out, it’s crucial that you maintain communication with those coaches, because they are also going through the same process with other recruits. As a coach, athletic director, and recruiting coordinator, Coach Wolf is always available to be a sort of liaison between you and college coaches, even during no-contact periods which prohibit coaches from certain divisions from directly contacting recruits. While you are your biggest advocate, Bryn Mawr provides resources in both the athletic department and college counseling that are there to support you, wherever you are in your recruiting process.
Something Coach Wolf wants Bryn Mawr’s athletes to keep in mind is “that you’re in high school. Have fun, do well in your classes, remember you’re a teenager, breathe a little bit. Everything will fall into place.” While the recruiting process can be a lot to handle, it’s important to not let it take up too much space in your life. Trust that you will end up where you should be, and that you will be more than prepared when you get there. As a Bryn Mawr alum herself, Wolf recognizes Bryn Mawr’s reputation for preparing people not just to be college athletes, but also well-rounded students. She even claims that, “the kids that come from Bryn Mawr are ready for anything”, because they have learned how to effectively manage their time and commitment, be a leader, and stay motivated. If you have any interest at all in pursuing a sport in college, I highly recommend you schedule a meeting with Coach Wolf, who will be more than happy to talk with you and answer any questions you may have.
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