Building Your College Fit: Questions to Guide Your Negotiables & Non-Negotiables

Choosing the right college isn’t just about soccer—it’s about finding a place where you can grow academically, athletically, and personally. The questions below are not a script. They’re conversation starters designed to help you build your own list of priorities and values. Use them to figure out:

✅ What matters most to you (your Non-Negotiables)

✅ What you’re flexible on (your Negotiables)

✅ What questions to ask schools to find your best fit

Every player is different. Think for yourself. Be honest with what you need to be successful and happy.

  • Academics & Support

    • What academic support services are available (tutoring, study hall, advisors)?

    • Is tutoring free or does it cost extra?

    • Is there a dedicated academic advisor for soccer/athletics?

    • How do athletes make up classwork when traveling?

    • Are study halls required for freshmen or underclassmen?

    • Do athletes have preferential class scheduling to ensure classes do not conflict with training times.

    Scholarship & Financial Realities

    • Is summer school included in my scholarship?

    • What happens to my scholarship if I am injured?

    • What happens if I become academically ineligible?

    • Do you offer 5th-year scholarships if eligibility does not run out in 4 years?

    • Do seniors usually receive increased aid or stay the same?

    • Is financial assistance available beyond athletic aid (grants, need-based aid) and can this be stacked on top of athletic aid to help cover more of the cost of attendance?

    Soccer Experience

    • What are your goals for the program?

    • Where do you see me fitting into the team?

      • Do you see me playing or starting as a freshman?

    • Have you seen me play? What do you like about my game and what needs work?

    • What is your recruiting timeline—do you see me as a scholarship player?

    • How do you feel about recruits playing locally during summer/winter breaks?

    Training & Development

    • When does the team train; mornings, afternoons, or evenings?

    • What is preseason like?

    • Who runs strength and conditioning? A soccer-specific coach or shared staff?

    • What is the main focus of your performance training program?

    • Is there support for recovery, nutrition, or mental performance?

    • Is summer school highly encouraged as well as optional captain led training before pre season officially begins?

    • Do you consider your program a pathway to the pros? If so,

      • How many alumni have springboard to the pros from your program and where are they playing / played?

      • What do you and your staff do differently to help a player develop into a pro and are you open to players leaving “early” to begin a pro career?

    Campus Life

    • Do athletes live together or with the general student body?

    • Can you and your staff describe what a healthy team culture looks like, and what do you do to help cultivate a successful team culture?

    • What do players do in their free time?

    • Do athletes get help with scheduling classes and housing?

    • Why did you choose this school—and would you choose it again?

    • How is the relationship between players and coaches?

    • What is one thing you wish you knew before coming here?

    • How demanding is the schedule in-season and off-season?

    • If you couldn't play soccer, would you stay here?

  • Be ready with thoughtful answers:

    • What are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?

    • What role do you see yourself filling in your first year, and are you willing to compete in order to learn / grow if playing time isn’t an immediate reward?

    • What are you looking for in a college experience?

    • What other schools are you considering?

    • When do you hope to make your decision?

  • After a college visit, ask yourself:

    • Did I feel comfortable with the team culture?

    • Did the coaches and players seem genuinely excited about me?

    • Were academics taken seriously?

    • Would I attend this school if I didn’t play soccer?

    • Does this school fit my academic interests, size preference, and distance from home?

    • Were coaches respectful—or did they talk negatively about other programs?