So let's get straight to the point, the first thing coaches want is athletic talent. The coaches goal is to win and to do that, you need talent.

But right after the coach knows the player has the skill, it's time to find out if this player has the grades to get into the school. If not, it doesn't matter how talented they are.

So the coach will ask you for a transcript.

The transcript, unofficial is fine, should be something all serious college-bound high school kids have up to date on their phones/computers at all times.

If a college coach asks a player for a transcipt and it takes a while to get it, it makes the coach think they are the first/only coach who has asked and makes them wonder if what they saw athletically was accurate.

When the coach asks the player for a transcipt, and the player emails or texts it minutes later, the coach knows they have a good player.

The pre-read is really a one page cover sheet that gives a snapshot of the student to the admissions staff, along with the transcript.

Here is the information on most college pre-reads.

• Name, address, phone number.
• Social media accounts.
• Incoming term (ex; fall 2003, 2004, 2005).
• Coming as freshman or transfer.
• Athletic scholarship candidate, prefered walk-on, tryout athlete.
• Intended major if known, honors program eligible student.
• Community service done.
• Any known discipline issues within school or community.

This gets sent to admissions and in a few days it gets returned to the coach with the following information.

1) Is the student admissible or not. If not, keep in mind that this is not a formal rejection from the school as the student has not yet applied. However, admissions is saying at this moment in time, the student can't get in based on their transcript. Most of the time the coach is likely to inform the student and simply move on to someone who is admissible. Of course the student is able to resend a transcript to the coach in the future when the grades have (hopefully) improved, but it's very likely by that time the coach will have found the player(s) they need.

2) If the student is admissible keep in mind it does not mean accepted. The student has yet to apply. Meaning, if the coach asks for a transcript in the spring of sophomore year when you have a 3.6, but by the time you apply as a senior you have a 2.7, you're out of luck. The stamp of admissibility assumes the grades will stay in the same range. Once you are admissible, the coach will continue to the recruiting process with you. Maybe watch you play again, maybe bring you up for a visit, continue to stay in touch, or maybe even offer you.

3) Along with being admissible, the coach will let you know if you qualified for any academic money. Once again, whatever number the coach tells you can go up or down when it comes time to apply and get accepted to the school if your grades have gone up or down. Most of the time it holds to what was estimated. So for example, let's say the coach reports back that you are admissible and you have been awarded and academic grant of $16,000 (or $64,000 over the four years, assuming your grades stay at whatever that school determins is the minimum to keep the money). This is free money/money that does not have to be paid back.

4) Now you keep in mind there is other ways to get financial aid. Other instutional awards, other grants from a variety sources, there is need based aid based on income and EFC (expected family contribution) and of course a variety of loans.

5) At the Division I and II level there is also athletic scholarship money. If the coach feels you are a scholarship level player, fairly soon after you are told what the academic situation is, they will bring up additional money they plan to offer in scholarship money. At which time you will likely be given a deadline to accept.

6) Lastly, at some schools and in some sports you, also have an opportunity for NIL (name, image, likeness) money which would be additional to the other monies described above. Generally speaking, for the small number of athletes who get this money it will be in the $1,000-10,000 range, though a quick google search will show you that some athletes get a whole lot more than this. Here's a link should you care to see.

Hopefully this sheds some light on what pre-reads are all about.

Reach out with any questions or comments.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Coach Mazz