Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What's the difference between NCAA Divisions I, II and III?

 

Division I

Division I member institutions have to sponsor at least seven sports for men and seven for women (or six for men and eight for women) with two team sports for each gender. Each playing season has to be represented by each gender as well. (This is a partial list of Div. I requirements, additional information can be found at the NCAA website.)

Division II

Division II institutions have to sponsor at least four sports for men and four for women, with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. (This is a partial list of Div. II requirements, additional information can be found at the NCAA website.)

Division III

Division III institutions have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women, with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. (This is a partial list of Div. III requirements, additional information can be found at the NCAA website.)

What is the total number of NCAA Divisions I, II, and III schools?

December 1, 2004

	Division I				Division II	Division III	Total
	I-A	I-AA	I-AAA	Total
Active	117	118	91	326	281	421	1028

 

What are the chances of participating in Sports at an NCAA University or playing Professional Sports?

Estimated Probability of Competing in Athletics Beyond the High School Interscholastic Level

Student-Athletes	Men’s Basketball	Women’s Basketball	Football	Baseball	Men’s Ice Hockey	Men’s Soccer
High School Student-Athletes	549,500	456,900	983,600	455,300	29,900	321,400
High School Senior Student-Athletes	157,000	130,500	281,000	130,100	8,500	91,800
NCAA Student-Athletes	15,700	14,400	56,500	25,700	3,700	18,200
NCAA Freshman Roster Positions	4,500	4,100	16,200	7,300	1,100	5,200
NCAA Senior Student-Athletes	3,500	3,200	12,600	5,700	800	4,100
NCAA Student-Athletes Drafted	44	32	250	600	33	76
Percent High School to NCAA	2.9	3.1	5.8	5.6	12.9	5.7
Percent NCAA to Professional	1.3	1.0	2.0	10.5	4.1	1.9
Percent High School to Professional	0.03	0.02	0.09	0.5	0.4	0.08

 

Question: When do I become a prospective student-athlete?

Answer: You become a "prospective student-athlete when: You start your ninth-grade (9 th) year; or, before your ninth-grade year, a college gives you, your relatives or your friends any financial aid or other benefits that the college does not provide to students generally.

Question: What is the NCAA Clearinghouse and why is it necessary?

Answer: NCAA member institutions agree that it is important for al high-school students to meet minimum academic standards to practice or compete in college athletics. The clearinghouse evaluates student courses, grades and test scores to determine whether students meet prescribed minimum academic requirements. The NCAA membership is committed to academic success and graduation of its student-athletes. This is a primary guiding principle of the association.

Question: As a prospective student-athlete, when can I register with the NCAA Clearinghouse?

Answer: Register after your junior year (11 th) in High School. If you do not submit all required documents, your file will be incomplete and will be discarded after three years. After that time you will need to re-register.

Question: Do I have to register with the clearinghouse?

Answer: Yes. If you want to participate in Division I or II athletics as a freshman, you must register with the clearinghouse.

Question: What is a core course requirement?

Answer: A core course must: (1) Be an academic course in one or a combination of these areas: English, Mathematics, Natural/Physical Sciences, Social Science, Foreign Language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy. (2) Be a four-year college preparatory, and (3) Be at or above your high schools regular academic level (No remedial, special education, or compensatory coursed). A core course is a recognized college-preparatory course taught by a qualified instructor. The course must fulfill your high school's graduation requirements. Remedial or basic level courses are not core courses. Your high school's list of approved core courses, once submitted to the clearinghouse will be available for students, parents and counselors on the clearinghouse Web site.

Question: What are the current NCAA core course requirements?

Answer: Division I Colleges and Universities: Graduating between 2005 – 2007: 14 Core Courses. Division I Colleges and Universities Graduating 2008 and after: 16 Core Courses. Division II Colleges and Universities Graduating 2005 and after: 14 Core Courses.

Question: How is my Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculated and Grade Values assigned?

Answer: The clearinghouse will calculate the grade point average (GPA) or your core courses on a 4.000 scale. The best grades from your NCAA core courses will be used. Grades from additional core courses you took will be used only if they improve your grade point average.

The clearinghouse will assign the following values to each letter grade:

	A – 4 Points	C – 2 Points
	B – 3 Points	D – 1 Point

 

Question: Do I have to take the ACT or SAT Test in order to qualify for Division I or Division II scholarships?

Answer: Yes. Students must achieve a required SAT or ACT score for Division I or Division II grade point average / test score index. Student must take the tests under standard testing conditions on a national testing date before their initial, full-time enrollment at college.

Question: When will the ACT and SAT test be given in 2005-2006?

Answer:

ACT Test Dates:

• October - 2005
• December - 2005
• February - 2006
• April - 2006
• June - 2006

SAT Test Dates:

• October - 2005
• November - 2005
• December - 2005
• January- 2006
• April - 2006
• May - 2006
• June - 2006