Planning for College

The Collegiate Athlete

NCAA Athletic Eligibility and Athletic Recruitment

NCAA Intial-Eligibility Clearinghouse (General Information):

Student athletes who want to participate in NCAA Division I or II athletics should start the certification process early ~ by the end of their junior year or early in their senior year in high school. Students may obtain a copy of Making Sure You Are Eligible to Participate in College Sports and a Student Release Form (SRF) free of charge from their high school counselor.

To be certified by the Clearinghouse, students must:

  1. Graduate from High School
  2. Earn a grade point average of at least a 2.00 on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Students must take at least 14 academic courses. Acceptable courses are:
    Subject Requirements
    English 4 years
    Math

    2 years (Algebra I or higher)
    Science 2 years(with 1 year of lab science
    Social Studies 2 years
    (+) English, math or science 1 year
    (+) English, math, science, foreign language, philosophy or religion 3 years
  4. Earn an act sum score of no less than 68... or a combined score of at least 820 on the SAT I on a national test site.
    1. If you plan to enter college in 2005 or after, your eligibility will be determined by using the 14 core-course standard ONLY.
    2. Computer science no longe will be used as a core course if you first enter any college or university on or after August 1, 2005

The challenge for you and your parents throughout the process is to communicate thoroughly with the college and universities of your choice. Find out what exactly what is being offered by the school (i.e. degrees offered, graduation rates of athletes, academic resources, academic scholarships vs. Athletic scholarships, student life , etc.). Understand exactly what your needs are and what you want out of college.

http://www.ncaa.org/

Initial-Eligibility Index:

Core GPA ACT SAT I Core GPA ACT SAT I
<2.500 68 820 2.250 77 920
2.500 68 820 2.225 78 930
2.475 69 830 2.200 79 940
2.450 70 840-850 2.175 80 950
2.425 70 860 2.150 80 960
2.400 71 860 2.125 81 960
2.375 72 870 2.100 82 970
2.50 73 880 2.075 83 980
2.325 74 890 2.050 84 990
2.300 75 900 2.025 85 1000
2.275 76 910 2.000 86 1010

Refer to website for GPA's higher than 2.5

Recruitment:

If you wish to be recruited by a particular college or coach you should follow these steps:

  1. Write a personal letter to the coach.
  2. Follow up your letter with a phone call to the coach.
  3. Initiate a visit to the campus on your own.
  4. Send a thank you note reminding the coach of your visit to the campus and your continued interest in the program.
  5. Send a video, only if the coach asks for one.
  6. Return all phone calls.
  7. Participate in summer athletic camps in your area whenever possible. Most college coaches scout talent at these programs.

When you find the college or university that meets your needs and expectations, be sure to give it a thorough look. No matter whether it is a NCAA Division I, II, or III school, scholarship or non-scholarship, there can be no substitute for the complete college experience. As a student-athlete you will be bonded to your college or university like few other students will.

Scholarship tips:

  1. Be sure that you understand the terms and conditions of your scholarship before signing anything!
  2. Don't believe the hype!! If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  3. Never allow yourself to be compromised. If you feel your intelligence, integrity and /or athletic ability are being compromised by your decision then get out of it!! Too few student-athletes ever have the opportunity to turn pro. So ensure you are protecting you non-athletic interests by making a sound choice.

http://www.ncaa.org/

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