Advertisement

Ncsa: tips for your college personal essay, share this article.

USA TODAY High School Sports has a weekly column on the college recruiting process. Here, you’ll find practical tips and real-world advice on becoming a better recruit to maximize your opportunities and play at the college level. Joe is a former college athlete and coach at the NAIA level, where he earned an NAIA National Championship. Joe is just one of many former college and professional players, college coaches and parents who are part of the  Next College Student Athlete team. Their knowledge, experience and dedication, along with NCSA’s history of digital innovation and long-standing relationship with the college coaching community, have made NCSA the largest and most successful athletic recruiting network in the country.

good personal statement for ncsa

Admission into college can be an overwhelming process, particularly when it comes to writing your first personal essay. As a student-athlete, in addition to developing your sport skills, you should start thinking about your academic eligibility when you begin freshman year to ensure that you’re eligible for the schools on your target list. No matter your athletic skills, college coaches usually won’t recruit students who they believe aren’t qualified academically for their schools.

Academic Eligibility Requirements for Student-Athletes

Since your courses, grades, and standardized test scores are set factors in your application process, you may want to view your personal essay as an opening to tell your story, display your interests, talents and motivations. The tips below will help you prepare and write an essay that might land you in your dream college.

  • Choose the right essay topic. Since there are no restrictions, take your time to choose a topic you are passionate about—one which you can explore extensively. Ideally, pick a topic that highlights aspects about yourself that make you a great addition to a team’s roster.
  • Be concise. Be sure to follow guidelines provided for the length of the essay.
  • Be honest and use your voice. Genuine work is easily detected. Your essay is an opportunity to differentiate yourself from other applicants with similar tests scores and GPAs, so it’s important to be original and authentic, rather than relying on generic or overused ideas.
  • Avoid grammatical errors and weak sentence structures. An essay filled with misspellings, poorly placed words and irrelevant clauses will stand out for the wrong reasons. The admissions board might perceive you as careless.

Application deadlines and processes

Write an essay that shows your character

NCSA’s 2019 State of Recruiting report examined major themes in college athletic recruiting based on results of a national survey to student-athletes, parents, club coaches, high school coaches, and college coaches.

One of the survey’s key findings was that college coaches value a recruit’s character more than athletic ability. While colleges typically only reach out to student-athletes who meet their athletic standards, coaches want to make sure they clear the character test before making an offer. By using your personal essay to showcase your character (things like leadership, values, work ethic, overcoming adversity, respect, and honesty), you can set yourself apart from other potential recruits.

While college coaches aren’t directly involved in the overall college admissions process, writing your personal essay with the coach perspective in mind can be great practice for thinking about and learning how to express your best qualities, and that can help boost your confidence in conversations with coaches.

2019 NCSA State of Recruiting Report

Keep in mind to work closely with your college counselor. Should you decide to tell a sports story in your college essay, let it be something powerful to grab the attention of the college’s admissions committee. Writing an impressive essay won’t occur overnight. Therefore, you might need to write several college essay drafts until you finally craft the message that best represents you as a potential student-athlete. Closely review the application instructions for schools you’ll apply to – at some schools, you may be able to submit a video instead of a written essay.

Most Popular

Longest high school football winning streak in each state, no. 1 mater dei takes on no. 2 bishop gorman: how to watch the super 25 football showdown, usa today sports super 25 football: each national champion since 1982, how to watch illinois high school football: mt. carmel vs. st. rita, september 6, opening usa today sports/avca super 25 national girls volleyball rankings, 14 of the greatest single-season rb performances in high school history, 25 of the greatest high school basketball players of all time.

How To Write Your Personal Statement

Online Workshop Hosted by Andy McKernan

Thursday, June 23, 2016, 9 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. CDT, 6 p.m. PDT)

Learn More About:

Join Andy McKernan, a professional writer with close to ten years of experience helping college students in composition and English. Learn more about how to:

  • Craft the perfect personal statement
  • Describe why you want to be a college student-athlete, on your NCSA profile as well as in application essays
  • Use your personal statement to stand out from the crowd and show off what makes you unique

Testimonials

Ncsa helped me by all their classes they offer and the classes really helped when i needed to know something.

The most exciting part was getting an offer and feeling that all my hard work finally paid off. Sometimes you may feel discouraged about coaches not emailing you back but give them time and they will! NCSA helped me by all their classes they offer and the classes really helped when I needed to know something...

DIII Softball Recruit, University of Charleston

Get Started Now

Danielle khin '25 recruiting profile, personal statement, coach references.

  • High School Coach
  • Andrea Meyer

Test Scores

High school information, academic accomplishments, are you in honor classes, are you in ap/ib classes, registered with the ncaa eligibility center, contact info, top ncsa athletes at mingus union high school.

profile image for Hailey J Cromer

Top NCSA Athletes in Area

profile image for Mia Mazon

Recruiting in your hands. Tools and advice to find the right fit.

Get it on Google Play

About NCSA College Recruiting®

NCSA College Recruiting® (NCSA) is the exclusive athletic recruiting network that educates, assists, and connects, families, coaches and companies so they can save time and money, get ahead and give back.

25 Nearest High Schools

  • Vacte - Camp Verde Unified School District ,
  • New Visions Academy ,
  • Mingus Online Academy ,
  • Vacte - Valley Academy for Career and Technology E ,
  • Vacte - Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School Dist ,
  • Cottonwood Mingus Union High School ,
  • Vacte - Mingus Union High School ,
  • American Heritage Academy ,
  • Oak Creek Ranch School ,
  • Camp Verde High School ,
  • South Verde Middle High School ,
  • South Verde Technology Magnet ,
  • Pace Preparatory Academy ,
  • Red Rock Academy ,
  • Sedona Red Rock High School ,
  • Verde Valley School ,
  • Yavapai County High School ,
  • Canyon View Preparatory Academy ,
  • Mijted - Bradshaw Mountain High School ,
  • Prescott Valley School ,
  • Bradshaw Mountain High School ,
  • Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Prescott Vall

Sports at Mingus Union High School

  • Men's Basketball ,
  • Men's Golf ,
  • Men's Ice Hockey ,
  • Men's Soccer ,
  • Men's Swimming ,
  • Men's Tennis ,
  • Men's Track ,
  • Men's Volleyball ,
  • Women's Basketball ,
  • Women's Golf ,
  • Women's Soccer ,
  • Women's Swimming ,
  • Women's Tennis ,
  • Women's Track ,
  • Women's Volleyball ,
  • Women's Wrestling ,

NCSA COLLEGE RECRUITING®

NCSA College Recruiting® (NCSA) is the nation’s leading collegiate recruiting source for more than 500,000 student-athletes and 42,000 college coaches. By taking advantage of this extensive network, more than 92 percent of NCSA verified athletes play at the college level. The network is available to high school student-athletes around the country through valued relationships with the NFLPA, FBU, NFCA and SPIRE. Each year, NCSA educates over 4 million athletes and their parents about the recruiting process through resources on its website, presentations of the critically-acclaimed seminar College Recruiting Simplified, and with Athletes Wanted, the book written by NCSA founder Chris Krause.

Questions? 866-495-5172

8am-6pm CST Every Day

Verisign Secured

IMAGES

  1. NCSU MSA Personal Statement

    good personal statement for ncsa

  2. How to write a REALLY good personal statement for university

    good personal statement for ncsa

  3. Personal Statement for Nursing School Inspirational Pin by Nursing

    good personal statement for ncsa

  4. What Is a Personal Statement? (2 Powerful Examples)

    good personal statement for ncsa

  5. University of North Carolina nursing personal statement sample

    good personal statement for ncsa

  6. Write a perfect child nursing personal statement with this sample help

    good personal statement for ncsa

VIDEO

  1. A Matter of Time Podcast

  2. Declutter Your Online Life With a Digital Spring Cleaning

  3. 📝How to write a Personal Statement📚

  4. PTDF Motivation Letter Sample| #nigerianscholarships

  5. Tips for increasing your chances on winning GKS-U... THE PERSONAL STATEMENT

  6. How to Write a Good Personal Statement

COMMENTS

  1. Personal Statement Examples From student-athletes

    As a student-athlete, you should include your personal statement in your NCSA athletic profile. You can also use the information from your personal statement to help formulate introduction letters or emails to college coaches. 4 Steps to Writing a Personal Statement Step 1: Be yourself. When writing your personal statement, be honest and be ...

  2. NCSA: Tips for your college personal essay

    Write an essay that shows your character. NCSA's 2019 State of Recruiting report examined major themes in college athletic recruiting based on results of a national survey to student-athletes ...

  3. How To Write Your Personal Statement

    Learn more about how to: Craft the perfect personal statement. Describe why you want to be a college student-athlete, on your NCSA profile as well as in application essays. Use your personal statement to stand out from the crowd and show off what makes you unique. Email Address. First Name. Last Name. HS Grad Year. Seats limited.

  4. Blaine "CAMERON" Sample '13 Recruiting Profile

    Personal Statement. Dear Prospective Coach:My name is Cameron Sample. I am a 6'1" 240lb Football Player. During my High School Career, I was blessed to start on both the offense line and at Middle Linebacker since the first game of my freshman year. I earned All District and All Conference Honors three times during High School In 2009, I was ...

  5. 12 Outstanding Personal Statement Examples + Why They Work 2024

    Example #3 - 12. Example #4 - Flying. Example #5 - Arab Spring in Bahrain. Example #6 - Poop, Animals and the Environment. Example #7 - Entoptic Phenomena. Example #8 - The Builder & Problem Solver. Example #10 - The Little Porch and a Dog (With Spanish Translation) Example #10 - Life As an Undocumented Student.

  6. What Is a Personal Statement? NCSA Personality Statement Examples

    As a student-athlete, you should include your personal statement in your NCSA athletics your. You can additionally use the information from thy custom statement to help formulate introduction letters or emails up college coach. 4 Steps to Type a Personal Statement Step 1: Be yoursel.

  7. How to Write a Personal Statement

    Insert a quote from a well-known person. Challenge the reader with a common misconception. Use an anecdote, which is a short story that can be true or imaginary. Credibility is crucial when writing a personal statement as part of your college application process. If you choose a statistic, quote, or misconception for your hook, make sure it ...

  8. What Has a Personal Statement? (2 Powerful Examples) |NCSA

    As a student-athlete, yourself must include your personal statement in your NCSA sportive profile. You can also use the get from your personal statement to help formulate introduction letters or emails go university coaches. 4 Steps to Writing a Personal Statement Step 1: Be ourselves. When writing your personen statement, be honest and be ...

  9. What Is a Individual Statement? NCSA Personal Statement Examples

    So, whichever exactly is one personal statement, and why do you need one when trying to received recruited? Within this article, NCSA wrap all your questions. ... Within this article, NCSA lid see your questions. Log At . Athlete Profile Enroll; College Coach Access; Group Edition Register; Questions? Dial (866) 495-5172. Already ampere ...

  10. What Is a Personal Statement? (2 Powerful Examples)

    As a student-athlete, you should include your personal statement in your NCSA athletic profile. Him ability also use that information from your personal statement to help formulate introduction alphabet or emails until college coaches. 4 Step to Writing a Personalbestand Statement Tread 1: Be yourself.

  11. How to Get Recruited for College Volleyball

    Update your NCSA profile. Add new athletic or stats, a new video and an updated transcript or personal statement. When coaches search for an athlete's profile, they'll see an accurate snapshot of the student-athlete. Go on unofficial and official college visits. The only way to really know if a school is the right fit is to visit the campus.

  12. Which Is a Personal Statement? (2 Powerful Examples) |NCSA

    Personal Treasury Statement U S Tiny Company Administration. As a student-athlete, you supposed include your personally statement by your NCSA athletic profile. You can also use the related from your individual statement to help formulate introduction letters or emails to college coaches. 4 Staircase to Writing a Personal Testify Step 1: Be ...

  13. What Is a Personal Statement? (2 Powerful Examples) |NCSA

    4 Company Goals Statement Examples You Can Learn Free. As a student-athlete, you should include your personal statement in your NCSA athletic profile. You can also how the information from your personal statement to help formulate introduction literature or emails into higher coaches. 4 Step to Writing a Personal Statement Step 1: Will yourself.

  14. How to Get Recruited for Softball

    Update your NCSA profile with new athletic or stats, a new video, an updated transcript or personal statement. When coaches search for your profile, they'll see an accurate snapshot of who you are as a student-athlete. Go on unofficial and official college visits. The only way to really know if a school is right for you is to visit the campus.

  15. What Is a Personal Statement? (2 Potent Examples) |NCSA

    As a student-athlete, you should include your personal account in your NCSA athletic profile. You can also use the informations for your personal statement to promote formulate introduction letters or emails in college coaches. 4 Steps to Writing a Personen Statement Step 1: Be yourself. When writing your personal statement, be honest and be ...

  16. Nathan Tingume's Football Recruiting Profile

    Personal Statement. I am a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track. I am passionate about football and would like to further my experience to the next level. ... NCSA College Recruiting® (NCSA) is the nation's leading collegiate recruiting source for more than 500,000 student-athletes and 42,000 college coaches. By taking ...

  17. NCSA

    Student-Athlete & Parent Login

  18. What Is a Personal Statement? NCSA Personal Statement Example

    4 Outstanding Real-World Law School Personal Statement Examples. As a student-athlete, you should including your personal statements in your NCSA athletic profile. You can plus use the information from your personal make up help phrasing introduction letters or emails to higher coaches. 4 Steps on Writing a Mitarbeitende Statement Speed 1: Be ...

  19. NCSA Cost and Membership Plans for Athletes and Families

    NCSA Cost and Membership Plans for Athletes and Families

  20. Caleb Brown's Men's Soccer Recruiting Profile

    Personal Statement. I would say i'm a player that is capable of taking responsibility on the pitch and make sure to put 100% obsessed with winning and a good teammate who can bond with everyone. Athletics. High School Information. Years w/ Varsity: 1 year; ... NCSA College Recruiting® (NCSA) is the nation's leading collegiate recruiting ...

  21. Troy Kelly Jr. '16 Recruiting Profile

    Personal Statement. Personal Statement. I have been playing basketball since I was 9. Since I first stepped on the court, I have aspired to play at the collegiate level. I have strong ball handling skills, soft hands, and a high basketball IQ. I am a team leader and try to lead by example while also encouraging my teammates. ... NCSA College ...

  22. Danielle Khin's Women's Tennis Recruiting Profile

    Personal Statement. Danielle has not added a personal statement yet. Athletics. Coach References. High School Coach; Andrea Meyer; Statistics. Danielle has not added statistics yet. Academics. Grades. This information is unavailable to unknown [or unregistered] users. ... NCSA College Recruiting® (NCSA) is the nation's leading collegiate ...