If you’re not currently on any college team’s recruiting radar, don’t fret. You can take control of the process and still get where you want to go. Michelle Moultrie did it. Moultrie followed four strategic steps to gain the attention of the Florida Gators and earn a spot on their softball team. To improve your chances of winning a spot on a college roster, follow the steps she took:

Step 1: Pick Local Schools

A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Moultrie identified the University of Florida as the ideal place to continue her education and maybe play softball. That was a smart choice, because many programs prefer to fill their rosters with in-state players. Local talent tends to play harder against archrivals, and, more important, local athletes are less costly to recruit.

Step 2: Contact the Coach

Although she is a gifted athlete, Moultrie was not really recruited in high school. But she took the initiative, sending letters of interest and regular emails to prospective future coaches, including Florida softball coach Tim Walton. This got her on Walton’s radar screen and opened up a direct line of communication.

Step 3: Apply to All Your Desired Schools

Moultrie followed through with her application to Florida like any other high school senior. Once she was accepted, she immediately notified Coach Walton so he would know she was serious about being a Gator athlete. If a spot on the team didn’t happen for her, she was at her college of choice anyway.

Step 4: Attend Summer Camps

That summer, Moultrie attended the Gators’ summer softball camp, first making sure to notify Walton of her intention. Following the camp, Walton invited her to try out for the team as a non-scholarship player. Two weeks into her freshman year, she made the team as a walk-on player. Three years later, scholarship in tow, Moultrie is the starting center fielder and leadoff hitter for the Gators.