Are you a scholarship athlete or a walk on?
With all the college and university terminology circulating out there for athletics, here are three terms you are going to want to understand.
Preferred Walk On
A preferred walk-on offer means the coach would like you on the team but can’t offer any financial assistance at least for the first year. Preferred walk-ons can earn a scholarship going into their second season, but nothing is guaranteed. Preferred walk-ons arrive at college with a roster spot guaranteed. They get help with admissions. Aid does depend on the sport. They can be cut at any time in camp. While the preferred walk on does not receive athletic scholarship monies, they do receive free gear and uniforms.
Walk On
Walk-ons, however, arrive at college without a guaranteed roster spot. They are required to attend a round of tryouts to make the team. There are no do-overs or second chances. Walk ons have the opportunity to compete for scholarships in later years, but preferred walk-ons are often first in line for available monies. Universities programs will assist student-athletes with admissions whether or not you are a preferred walk-on or a scholarship athlete.
Unrecruited Walk On
An unrecruited walk-on participates in open tryouts for a chance to make the roster. Most often the athlete qualifies for admission to the school and communicates with the coach before the tryout. Like preferred and recruited walk-ons, unrecruited walk-ons don’t receive any financial assistance. However, they can earn a scholarship down the line.
If you are set on a specific college or university and do not receive an offer from a coach, but are in positive communication with them, there is a chance of you going to your dream school and becoming a walk on. If this is something you are interested in please reach out to us here at ASM Scholarships. We can help you!
FAQs
A preferred walk-on offer means the coach would like you on the team but can't offer any financial assistance at least for the first year. Preferred walk-ons can earn a scholarship going into their second season, but nothing is guaranteed. Preferred walk-ons arrive at college with a roster spot guaranteed.
Do preferred walk-ons get scholarships? ›
Being a preferred walk-on is the highest status a recruit can get outside of receiving an athletic scholarship. No athletic aid is offered, but preferred walk-ons will go into college with a roster spot secured, receive a uniform and have a strong chance of competing for playing time their first year.
What is the difference between preferred walk-on and walk-on? ›
If you're a preferred walk-on, the team's coach wants you, so you can more or less rest assured that you've got a guaranteed spot on the roster. However, the coach cannot offer you any financial help for at least the first year, so you have to find your own financial aid to pay for tuition and other expenses.
How hard is it to get a preferred walk-on? ›
Competitive Positions: Preferred walk-on spots are still very hard to earn so it is important to set yourself apart from other athletes. Coaches typically recruit just as competitively as they do for scholarship positions.
Do preferred walk-ons get a signing day? ›
Since preferred walk-ons don't receive an athletic scholarship, they don't have anything to sign. However, walk-ons are an important part of any college team and accepting a preferred walk-on offer is worth celebrating. Ask your future coach about having something to sign and rep your new team with school gear.
Is preferred walk-on worth it? ›
A preferred walk-on offer means the coach would like you on the team but can't offer any financial assistance at least for the first year. Preferred walk-ons can earn a scholarship going into their second season, but nothing is guaranteed. Preferred walk-ons arrive at college with a roster spot guaranteed.
Do preferred walk-ons have to try out? ›
At one university, an NCAA Preferred Walk-on may be guaranteed a spot on the team roster, while at another university, it may only mean that the athlete doesn't have to go through an open tryout to participate in early Fall practices after classes begin.
Do preferred walk-ons get free meals? ›
Division I student-athletes can receive unlimited meals and snacks in conjunction with their athletics participation, the Legislative Council decided Tuesday. The rule, which applies to walk-ons as well as scholarship student-athletes, is an effort to meet the nutritional needs of all student-athletes.
Can you redshirt as a preferred walk-on? ›
A Recruited Walk-On is an ideal option for those who want to play at the highest level possible. While you're not guaranteed a spot on the team, you may redshirt your first year, and you may even have to try out, recruited walk-ons are still valued by college coaches.
What is the difference between PWO and offer? ›
Preferred walk-on offer (PWO)
Not all offers provide financial aid. Sometimes, the offer is simply a roster spot. A preferred walk-on offer means the coach would like you on the team but cannot offer any financial assistance at least for the first year.
When emailing a coach about being a walk-on you should introduce yourself, be direct and personal about why you want to be a walk-on, send highlight reels, and describe how you are a good fit for the university and its athletic program.
What sport gives the most scholarships? ›
Additionally, academic scholarships and need-based aid can also help offset the cost of college. In conclusion, football offers the most scholarships out of any sport, followed by basketball, baseball, and soccer.
What is a PWO offer? ›
In college football, PWO stands for preferred walk-on. A PWO is a player who is specifically invited to try out for the team without a scholarship, with no guarantees attached. In FBS college football, each program is allowed to extend 85 scholarship offers to its players at a time.
How do you get recruited as a walk-on? ›
If you're interested in walking on at your chosen school, contact the coach early to discuss the possibility. Depending on your sport, you might need to discuss statistics and accomplishments before the coach offers you a chance to try out.
What is the easiest sport to get an athletic scholarship in? ›
Which sports are good for getting scholarships? According to RecruitRef, lacrosse, ice hockey, and baseball are the easiest sports to get a scholarship in. This is a complicated question, however, as the sports that often have the most money for scholarships are also the most competitive.
Do all walk-ons make the team? ›
Preferred walk-ons arrive to college with a roster spot guaranteed for them. Walk-ons, however, arrive to college without a guaranteed roster spot.
What is a PWO scholarship? ›
In college football, PWO stands for preferred walk-on. A PWO is a player who is specifically invited to try out for the team without a scholarship, with no guarantees attached. In FBS college football, each program is allowed to extend 85 scholarship offers to its players at a time.
What is the hardest athletic scholarship to get? ›
What is the hardest athletic scholarship to get? Wrestling is the hardest athletic scholarship for men whereas for women the hardest athletic scholarship to get is volleyball. Wrestling has only a 2.7% chance of earning a scholarship and volleyball has a 3.9% chance of earning a scholarship.
