NCAA
Initial-Eligibility and the
Recruiting Process
Presented by:
Paul C. Bowden
George Mason University
National Collegiate Athletic
Association

Known as the NCAA

1280 member institutions

Divided into 3 divisions
NCAA Divisions
 Division I
 Division I-A [Football]Football Bowl Subdivision
 Division I-AA [Football]
Football Championship Subdivision
 Division I-AAA [No Football]
 Division II
 Division III
NCAA Championships

Sponsors 88 championships in 23
sports

Approximately 450,000 student-athletes
compete for NCAA championships
Where do I fit?




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All of the 3 Divisions offer excellent academic
and excellent athletic opportunities
Consult your Parents, Counselors and
Coaches to help determine your best “fit”.
Is playing a requirement for your happiness?
Do you want to play more than one sport?
There is a college team for you!!!
NCAA Division I Requirements

Graduate from high school

Successfully complete 16 Core Courses

Have a core course GPA in combination
with a SAT or ACT test score
Receive Amateurism Certification

NCAA Core Course
Requirements

16 core academic courses required:
–
–
–
–
–
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4 years of English
3 years of Math (Algebra I and higher)
2 years of Natural/physical science (at least one lab)
1 year of Additional courses in English, math, or science
2 years of Social science
4 years of Additional academic courses (foreign language,
etc.)
– You must complete at least 10 core courses by the end of
your junior year, 7 of 10 in E,M or Sc (current sophomores)
NCAA Test Score Requirements

SAT
– Math
– Verbal
– Writing (This Component will not be used in
determining Qualifier Status)
ACT
– Math
– English
– Science
– Reading
NCAA Sliding Scale
Core GPA
3.550 & above
ACT
37
SAT
400
3.525
38
410
3.500
39
420
3.000
52
620
2.500
68
820
2.000
86
1010
Scale is now expanded with gpa range 2.00 – 3.55 with a corresponding
test score.
SAT/ACT

Since the NCAA and Admissions Offices
allow you to use the best SAT Math score
from one test date and the best Verbal score
from another test date to obtain the highest
combined score.

It is in your best interest to take the test more
than once.
NCAA Division II
Requirements
2.0
820
GPA in 16 core
courses
SAT combined score
NCAA Division III
Requirements
If admitted to Division III
institution you are eligible
to compete
To Report Test Scores
Mark code 9999 when
registering for ACT/SAT
Scores must be reported directly
from the testing agency.
Tips

A high school course taken in the eighth grade may be used if
the course is on the high school transcript with a grade and
credit and if the course is on the high school's list of approved
core courses.

Plus and minus grades CANNOT be used

In Division I, all core courses must be completed in the first eight
semesters of high school, based on when a student first started
ninth grade. If a student graduates on time with his or her class
(in eight semesters), the student may use one core course taken
after graduation.
In Division II, it is allowable to use any core course taken prior to
the student’s enrollment as a full-time student in any college or
university.
NCAA Eligibility
Center
File at the end of junior year
in high school
(6 semesters completed)
Clearinghouse Application
Process

Online registration is REQUIRED!!!!!!!!

Apply online at www.eligibilitycenter.org
Visits to College Campus

Unofficial Visits (at your own expense)
may be taken at anytime.

Official Visits (paid for by the Athletics
Department) can only be taken during
your senior year and only if you are
registered with the NCAA
Clearinghouse
Recruitment

Phone calls from Division I coaches can not
start until July 1, after your junior year (except
Men’s Basketball, which starts June 15 after
sophomore year and Women’s Basketball, which
starts September 1 of your junior year)

One phone call per week from that point on

You can call a coach anytime you want, no
restrictions
Please note!
Meeting NCAA academic requirements
does not guarantee your admission into
a college.
 You must apply for admission.
 You must apply to the NCAA
Clearinghouse
 These processes are required, but do
not have anything to do with each other

Most Valuable Resource

Annually the NCAA produces the Guide
for College Bound Student-Athletes.

You can either call the NCAA to request
a copy or print from the NCAA website
Academic Challenges
(if you really want to play in college!)

As a high school student-athlete, you must be
a “real student”! You need to develop and
enhance your academic talents
 To participate at the collegiate level is a
wonderful opportunity, offered to very few
high school student-athletes.
 You have to be different. You have to be
serious about academics.
 IT IS IN YOUR HANDS!
Other Topics
Scholarships
 Financial Aid
 Division I,II,III
 Playing more than one sport
 Time management

Conclusion
The goal is to find the school that is
a “Good Fit” for you in terms of
Academics and Athletics
For additional information:
To contact the NCAA Eligibility Center:
Certification Processing
P.O. Box 7136
Indianapolis, Indiana 46207
877-262-1492
Fax 317-968-5100
www.eligibilitycenter.org
To contact the NCAA:
NCAA Hotline: 1-317-917-6222
www.ncaa.org
George Mason University
Compliance Office
Paul C. Bowden
Associate AD of Compliance
703-993-3230
pbowden@gmu.edu