Welcome to the new home of Mt. Rainier Futbol Club!

College Prep

College Prep Program

The Mt. Rainier FC College Prep Program is a player focused, interactive program that prepares our student athletes to achieve their collegiate academic and athletic aspirations. Through our extensive year-round program, we hope that each member will acquire a passion and confidence to take with them on to the soccer field and into their life.

What differentiates MRFC’s College Preparatory program from other programs of neighboring clubs is that we place emphasis on collaboration. Our collaborative process allows us to truly partner with colleges and universities in and around the Pacific Northwest to ensure every player has equitable access to some of the top coaching staffs in our area.

While College Prep is focused on preparing our athletes for the demands of the collegiate game, it is not only for athletes looking to play collegiate soccer. The tools provided through our College Prep program help you research and select the best college fit for all the needs of the individual: Academics, Athletics, Location, Size of School etc. Even if you are not planning on playing soccer after club, our college bound program can help you find and prepare for your ideal school.

Quick Facts

According to ncsasports.org US Youth Soccer:

  • Over 3 million kids play competitive soccer in the United States annually
  • NCAA Division I Soccer – 204 men’s teams and 322 women’s teams
  • NCAA Division II Soccer – 181 men’s teams and 228 women’s teams
  • NCAA Division III Soccer – 428 men’s teams and 407 women’s teams
  • NAIA Soccer – 218 men’s teams and 219 women’s teams
  • Junior College Soccer – 221 men’s teams and 186 women’s teams
  • Approximately 45,000 players play NCAA college soccer, but note that this figure is just 6 percent of the 750,000 who play high school soccer.
  • ariel-saylor-pic-v1.jpg

    Ariel Saylor

    HS Class of 2018 | Pierce College

    The clubs' values of community, integrity, dedication, competition, and teamwork developed me into the person and player I am today.

    The atmosphere creates a family like bond, where everyone knows each other and supports one another through the ups and downs. The coaches and staff are like no other, all athletes are welcomed and developed by them to fulfill their potential.

    There is no other club that puts their athletes first like MRFC does.

College ID Camps

College ID camps are used by colleges as a recruiting tool. These camps are offered to select age groups (sophomores, juniors, seniors) and typically are one- or two-day events. The cost associated with attending an ID Camp can vary from $20-200 pending on the length of camp, and type of school. The college coaching staff will be on hand to train, observe and evaluate campers. Campers will also take a campus tour and participate in a Q & A session with the coaching staff.

Here is a Typical Day at a College Soccer ID Camp:

  • 09:00: Arrive/Check In
  • 10:00: De-brief and introduction
  • 10:30: Training session 1
  • 12:30: Lunch break and tour of Campus
  • 15:00: Training session 2
  • 16:30: Presentation and Q&A

Register for Upcoming ID Camps

January 6, 2023 | Boys ID Camp
St. Martins University
Lakeridge Middle School

5909 Myers Rd E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
5:30pm-7:30pm

MRFC Players: FREE
Outside Players: $50

Closed

January 11, 2023 | Boys ID Camp
Linfield University, Pierce College, Evergreen State College

Game Farm Park-White
3030 R St SE, Auburn, WA 98002
5:30pm-7:00pm (08/07) &
7:00pm-8:30pm (06/05/04)

MRFC Players: FREE
Outside Players: $50

Closed

January 12, 2023 | Girls ID Camp
University of Puget Sound, Highline College, Evergreen State College, Tacoma Community College

Game Farm Park-White
3030 R St SE, Auburn, WA 98002
5:30pm-7:00pm (08/07) &
7:00pm-8:30pm (06/05/04)

MRFC Players: FREE
Outside Players: $50

Closed

February 17, 2023 | Girls ID Camp
Central Washington University

Lakeridge Middle School
5909 Myers Rd E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
5:30pm-7:00pm

MRFC Players: FREE
Outside Players: $50

Closed

Looking for an ID CAMP? Check out our list below or search for specific camps using this link to Top Drawer Soccer.com : College ID camp Search Engine.

WOMEN'S ID CAMPSMEN'S ID CAMPS
University of Washington Women's SoccerUniversity of Washington Men's Soccer
Seattle University Women's SoccerSeattle University Men's Soccer
Washington State Women's SoccerGonzaga Men's Soccer
Gonzaga Women's SoccerWestern Washington Men's Soccer
University of Puget Sound Women's SoccerUniversity of Puget Sound Men's Soccer

College Commitments

College Timeline

Freshman Year

  • Meet with your high school counselor and inform them that you want to play college athletics. They will then make sure you are taking the proper courses.
  • Go to www.ncaa.org and look up information regarding information on eligibility and recruiting. I suggest that you download a copy of the “NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.”
  • Prepare yourself to attend an NCAA Division I program. Even if you are not planning to play D-I, it is better to be prepared and have the option then to prepare for D-II, D-III, NAIA or local two year program and be missing a requirement.

Sophomore Year

  • Meet with you high school counselor and make sure you are on track to meet all of your requirements by reviewing your academic progress.
  • Look up national testing dates to take Pre-ACT (PLAN) and/or Pre-SAT (PSAT).
  • Check www.ncaa.org for any rule changes regarding eligibility and recruiting. The easiest way is to download a NEW copy of the “NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.” (Remember, rules can change from year to year.)

Junior Year

  • Meet with you high school counselor and make sure you are on track to meet all of your requirements by reviewing your academic progress.
  • Check www.ncaa.org for any rule changes regarding eligibility and recruiting. The easiest way is to download a NEW copy of the “NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.” (Remember, rules can change from year to year.)
  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly know as NCAA Clearinghouse)
  • Make sure your high school counselor sends your transcripts to the NCAA Eligibility Center and the end of your Junior Year.
  • Look up national testing dates to take ACT and/or PSAT.
  • Prepare for the ACT and/or SAT by taking a prep class.
  • When you take the ACT and/or SAT, make sure you request that your scores are sent directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
  • Take the SAT II, if you are considering a school that requires it.

Senior Year

  • Meet with you high school counselor and make sure you are on track to meet all of your requirements by reviewing your academic progress.
  • Check www.ncaa.org for any rule changes regarding eligibility and recruiting. The easiest way is to download a NEW copy of the “NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.” (Remember, rules can change from year to year.)
  • If you have not already done so, Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly know as NCAA Clearinghouse)
  • Make sure your high school counselor sends your transcripts to the NCAA Eligibility Center and the end of your Junior Year.
  • At the end of your Senior Year, make sure your high school counselor sends your Final Transcript and Proof of Graduation to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
  • If needed, Re-take the ACT and/or SAT, make sure you request that your scores are sent directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
  • Ask your college coach/ potential colleges where you are considering attending about applications, application deadlines, application waivers and anything else on how to apply to the school and for financial aid.
  • Submit all applications to all colleges that you are considering.
  • Research and apply for Financial Aid at all colleges that you are considering attending.
  • Complete and submit FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Even if you do not think you will qualify, apply because many other scholarships require that you have filled this out as a starting point.
  • Research and apply for outside scholarships. The internet is a great tool for this research.

College To-Do List

Work to achieve the best grades

There are a lot more academic scholarships available compared to athletic scholarships money. Getting good grades will help you get into schools and possibly even help you pay for school.

College list

What are you interested in studying? What type of career do you want? What size school, how far away from home, and what climate are you most comfortable? How important is playing varsity soccer? What kind of school can you afford? Class size, size of city. Etc. What is the campus community like?

Practice soccer; work on your game

Take ownership of your sport by setting goals and writing out a plan to help you achieve these goals. MRFC coaches provide constant team and player evaluations through the use of video, verbal and written feedback.

Make a highlight video

Modern day recruiting can be carried out through the use of video, and conducted online. MRFC offers video for all our competitive players and this allows our players with college aspirations to break this video down and produce highlight footage to aid with the collegiate recruiting process.

Research schools and create a list so that you can rank the things that are important

  • Visit college campuses to see how they feel and how they are different.
  • Research college websites to find out more about campus life and the majors you are interested in (admissions departments are a great place to start).
  • Speak with current & former college students about their experiences
  • Watch college soccer games (NCAA Div I, II, III, NAIA and Community College)

Contact college coaches

Let them know you are interested in their soccer program and invite them to watch you play. Use the MRFC template e-mail to help sending your emails, and give you something to follow.

Discuss pros and cons before deciding

Find a school that you will thrive at academically and athletically.

College Seminars

Pre-registration is required, and since there’s more than one offered, athletes can choose which would be the best one(s) for them.

  • How to Compare & Appeal College Award Letters:  With Partner Solutions for Tuition and special guest TuitionFit
  • Debunking Athletic Scholarships and the Importance of Academic Ones:  With Partner Virtual College Counselors
  • Prepping for a Showcase, and the Future of Standardized Testing, Post-Covid:  With Partner Virtual College Counselors
  • Starting Your Academic Search:  With Partner Educational Pathfinder

College Coordinator

Mt. Rainier FC has a rich history of players that have gone on to play college soccer. Players just like our current talented athletes compete in college matches across the country and in all types and levels of schools. College Bound offers a wide range of support, and our college coordinator focuses on assisting players with player development and in their college recruiting efforts.

Phil Harris

College Coordinator
phil.harris@mtrainierfc.org