Understanding the College Recruiting Pre-Read Process
A pre-read is an academic evaluation process used in college athletic recruiting where coaches submit prospective student-athletes' academic information to their school's admissions department for preliminary review.
Purpose and Timing
The pre-read allows admissions officers to assess whether a recruit meets the academic standards for admission before the coach invests significant time and resources in the recruiting process. This typically occurs between junior and senior year, after junior year grades are finalized.
Required Materials
Student-athletes need to prepare several key documents:
Academic Records:
Unofficial transcripts from all high schools attended (including online and community college coursework)
List of planned senior year classes
Test scores (SAT/ACT) - requirements vary by school's testing policy
Athletic Compliance:
Updated NCAA Eligibility Center account (for Division I and II recruits)
Additional Materials (for highly selective academic institutions):
Student resume highlighting academic, athletic, and extracurricular achievements
Personal statements or essays demonstrating academic and athletic passion
Possible Outcomes
After the pre-read review, coaches receive one of three responses:
Admissible - The recruit meets academic standards
Possibly admissible with changes - Admission possible with improvements (stronger senior courses, better test scores, etc.)
Not admissible - The recruit doesn't meet academic requirements
A positive pre-read typically leads to continued recruitment with specific next steps outlined by the coaching staff. This process helps ensure that both coaches and student-athletes focus their efforts on realistic opportunities where academic and athletic fit align.