You prepared your list of questions to ask the college coach.
But there’s another part of the conversation you need to prepare for:
The coach is going to ask YOU questions, too!
Your first recruiting calls aren’t meant to be interrogations, and you don’t need perfectly rehearsed answers. But thinking through some of the most common questions ahead of time can make you much more comfortable and confident when the phone rings.
Here are 11 questions you should be prepared to answer.
1. “Tell Me About Yourself.”
It sounds easy until someone asks!
Think beyond your lacrosse stats. Coaches want to get to know the person they’re recruiting.
Be prepared to briefly talk about who you are, where you’re from, your school, your lacrosse experience and a little about your interests or personality.
2. “What Are Your Lacrosse Goals?”
Think about what you want from your college lacrosse experience.
Do you want to compete at the highest level? Continue developing at a particular position? Contribute to a competitive program? Be part of a strong team culture?
There’s no single correct answer. Be genuine.
3. “What Are You Looking for in a School and Program?”
Before recruiting calls begin, think about what actually matters to you.
Consider things like:
- Academics
- Team culture
- Coaching style
- Location
- School size
- Level of competition
- Player development
- Campus environment
Your answer doesn’t need to perfectly describe the school you’re speaking with. Coaches want to understand your priorities.
4. “Where Are You in the Recruiting Process?”
Be honest.
You can tell a coach that you’re beginning conversations, that you’ve spoken with several programs, or that you’re still figuring out exactly what you’re looking for.
You don’t need to make your process sound further along than it is.
5. “What Are Your Strengths? What Are You Working On?”
Coaches want athletes who understand their own game.
Be ready to talk confidently about what you do well and identify an area you’re actively trying to improve.
Being able to discuss an area for improvement isn’t a weakness—it demonstrates self-awareness and a desire to develop.
6. “Can You Share Your Grades, Test Scores or Transcript?”
Recruiting isn’t only about lacrosse.
Have your academic information readily available, including your GPA and any standardized testing you’ve completed.
Know where you stand academically and be prepared to discuss it.
7. “What Questions Do You Have for Me?”
Always have questions!
This is why researching the program before your call is so important.
Prepare at least two or three questions that you genuinely want answered.
8. “What Other Schools Are You Considering?”
You may get asked about other programs you’re talking to or considering.
Be prepared for the question and answer professionally and truthfully.
9. “Why Are You Interested in Our School?”
This is one of the biggest reasons to do your homework before the call.
Avoid an answer that could apply to literally any university.
Instead, think about what specifically attracted you to this school and this program.
Maybe it’s the academics, coaching philosophy, competitive level, location, team culture—or a combination of several things.
10. “Do You Have a Timeline for Making a Decision?”
A coach may want to understand how quickly you’re hoping to move through the process or whether another program has given you a timeline.
You may not have one yet—and that’s okay.
Be honest about where you are in the process and communicate any timelines other coaches have given you.
11. “Do You Know What You Want to Major In?”
You absolutely don’t need to have your entire career figured out as a high school junior.
If you know what you’d like to study, great.
If you don’t, think about subjects and academic areas you’re interested in so you can still have a thoughtful conversation about academics.
Don’t Memorize Your Answers
We strongly recommend practicing these questions, but don’t write a script and memorize it word-for-word.
A recruiting call should sound like a conversation—not a presentation.
Ask a parent, teammate or coach to role-play a call with you. Have them ask these questions in a random order and practice responding naturally.
The goal is simply to get comfortable talking about yourself, your goals and what you’re looking for.
When the real call comes, you’ll be glad you practiced.
Happy recruiting!
– Tori & The LineUP Team
