How to Build a Realistic College Target List

# How to Build a Realistic College Target List

One of the biggest mistakes families make during recruiting is waiting for college coaches to find them.

Successful recruiting doesn't happen by accident.

It happens because athletes have a plan.

That plan begins with building a realistic list of colleges.

Not a wish list.

Not a social media list.

A recruiting list.

Think of it as your recruiting roadmap.

Without one, it's very easy to waste time, money, and opportunities pursuing schools that may never be the right fit.

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Don't Start With Division

The first mistake many families make is saying:

*"We're only looking at Division I schools."*

Or...

*"My daughter wants to play Division II."*

Don't start there.

Instead, begin by asking:

**"What kind of college experience does my athlete want?"**

The division should be one of the last things you consider—not the first.

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Build Around Five Areas of Fit

Every school should be evaluated in five important areas.

1. Athletic Fit

Can your athlete realistically compete at this level?

Ask yourself:

• Does her current level of play match this program?
• Would she have an opportunity to contribute?
• Does the team's style fit her strengths?
• Is the roster already loaded at her position?

Remember...

Being recruited is different than simply hoping to make the team.

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2. Academic Fit

Volleyball eventually ends.

Your degree lasts forever.

Consider:

• Majors offered
• Graduation rates
• Academic support
• Internship opportunities
• Career preparation
• Class sizes

Your athlete should be excited about the classroom just as much as the volleyball court.

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3. Financial Fit

Recruiting should never ignore finances.

Ask questions like:

• Can our family realistically afford this school?
• What scholarships are available?
• What academic aid exists?
• What will our total out-of-pocket cost be?

The biggest scholarship isn't always the best financial package.

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4. Social Fit

Your athlete will spend far more time being a college student than playing volleyball.

Think about:

• Campus size
• Distance from home
• Student life
• Housing
• Campus culture
• Weather
• Community

Ask yourself:

*"Would my daughter still enjoy attending this school if volleyball disappeared tomorrow?"*

If the answer is no...

Keep looking.

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5. Coaching Fit

Coaches have an enormous influence on an athlete's college experience.

Research:

• Coaching philosophy
• Communication style
• Program stability
• Player development
• Team culture

The relationship with the coaching staff often becomes one of the biggest reasons athletes either love or leave a program.

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Create Three Recruiting Categories

I encourage families to organize schools into three groups.

Dream Schools

These are highly competitive programs that may require continued development before becoming realistic options.

It's okay to dream.

Just don't build your entire recruiting plan around dreams.

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Realistic Fit Schools

This is where most of your recruiting efforts should be focused.

These schools match your athlete's:

• Current ability
• Academic profile
• Financial situation
• Long-term goals

This category often produces the best recruiting opportunities.

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Safe Options

Every athlete should have schools where they feel confident they could compete and succeed.

These schools provide peace of mind while the recruiting process unfolds.

Having safe options reduces unnecessary stress later in the process.

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Start With 20–30 Schools

Many families either create a list of three schools...

...or a spreadsheet with 150.

Neither approach is helpful.

A list of approximately **20–30 schools** is usually a great place to begin.

As recruiting progresses, you'll naturally add schools, remove schools, and refine your list.

Recruiting is a process.

Not a one-time decision.

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Research Before You Contact Coaches

Before sending an email, know something about the school.

Research:

• Academic programs
• Volleyball roster
• Coaching staff
• Recent recruiting classes
• Style of play
• Conference
• Campus
• Location

College coaches can tell when an email was sent to 300 schools.

They can also tell when an athlete genuinely researched their program.

Thoughtful communication always stands out.

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Keep Your List Updated

Your recruiting list should constantly evolve.

After every tournament, camp, or conversation with a coach, ask yourself:

• Is this still a good fit?
• Have my goals changed?
• Has this coach expressed interest?
• Have I learned something new about the school?

Recruiting isn't about creating the perfect list on day one.

It's about continuously refining it until you find the right home.

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From the Sideline

One of the biggest recruiting mistakes I've seen is families falling in love with one school before that school even knows who they are.

Hope is wonderful.

Expectation can become dangerous.

I've always encouraged athletes to fall in love with the process—not one specific college.

The more schools you genuinely research, the more likely you are to discover opportunities you never knew existed.

Some of the happiest former players I've coached ended up attending schools they had never heard of when recruiting first began.

They found incredible coaches.

Great teammates.

Outstanding degrees.

And lifelong friendships.

They didn't find the perfect logo.

They found the perfect fit.

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Common Mistakes Parents Make

• Choosing schools based only on division.
• Building a list that's too small.
• Building a list that's too large.
• Ignoring academics.
• Ignoring finances.
• Focusing only on famous volleyball programs.
• Contacting coaches without researching the school.
• Falling in love with one school too early.

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Key Takeaways

• Build your recruiting list around fit—not division.
• Evaluate athletic, academic, financial, social, and coaching fit.
• Organize schools into Dream, Realistic, and Safe categories.
• Research every school before contacting coaches.
• Keep refining your list throughout the recruiting process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools should be on our recruiting list?

A list of approximately 20–30 schools is an excellent place to start. As recruiting progresses, you'll naturally narrow the list based on communication, evaluations, and changing goals.

Should we only contact Division I schools?

No.

Athletes should communicate with schools that match their abilities, interests, academic goals, and long-term fit—not simply the highest division.

When should we begin building our recruiting list?

The earlier you begin researching schools, the better prepared you'll be when it's time to communicate with college coaches.

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Continue Learning

• Athletic Fit: What Level Can My Athlete Actually Play?
• Academic Fit: Choosing a School That Supports the Student
• Financial Fit: Understanding the True Cost of College
• Social & Personal Fit: Finding Your College Home
• Building the Complete Volleyball Player

The most successful recruiting journeys don't begin with an offer.

They begin with a thoughtful plan.