The goal of the college recruiting process is to be guaranteed a spot on the roster at a college that is right for you as a student and as an athlete. Long before you arrive on campus, you should be certain that you love the college and that a place on the team has been set aside for you.

People are often surprised by this answer. Conventional wisdom says that recruiting is all about getting a scholarship at a Division I school. Yet the reality is that each year there are many DI scholarship athletes who are very unhappy. Some don't get the playing time they expected. Others find that the college is a bad academic or social match.

The point is, doing a good job with recruiting isn't just about scholarships and Division I. Rather, success in the recruiting process is about getting on the roster at a college that is a great match for you academically, socially, and athletically.

One way to learn if a school is right for you is by visiting the campus. Don't hesitate to embark on NCAA unofficial visits, or perhaps, NCAA official visits.

The problem is, college is really expensive these days and Division I is very appealing. Unfortunately, the allure of these two things often forces people to make bad decisions. Of course, there's nothing wrong with getting a scholarship to a Division I school -- but only if that college is the right match for you.

There are two really important factors working in your favor. (1) There are a lot of colleges out there, which means that you can find a handful that are the right fit; and (2) There are a lot of other ways (and often better ways) to pay for college like countless non-athletic scholarships, financial aid, and loans. It's been said that the average DIII athlete gets more money for college that the average DI athlete.

As you market yourself to college coaches, remember the goal and don't be distracted by scholarships, idle talk of Divisions or colleges with famous sports teams, or where your friends are going. It's all about finding the situation that's right for you. And that means being offered a spot on the team at a college where you are going to thrive as a student, socially, and as an athlete.