One of the most common questions I am asked is regarding registering for the Eligibility Center. The Eligibility Center, also known as the NCAA Clearinghouse, determines if a prospective student-athlete is eligible to compete as a freshman at the DI, DI-AA and DII level by the core courses you take in high school, your GPA of your core course classes, and test scores (ACT and SAT). Registering for the Eligibility Center is mandatory. You should register by the end of your Junior year in high school. The application fee is $60.00 and is paid upon completion of your application.
A prospective student athlete is not eligible to compete at the NCAA Division I, DI-AA or DII level until ALL the required high school courses are completed. Your high school counselor will send your transcripts to the Eligibility Center at the end of your junior year. Although some students may complete the core courses prior to the end of their Junior year, the high school counselors will still wait until after you completed your Junior year to send in your transcripts.
Once you have completed the registration form, print off the transcript release form, sign it and give copies 1 and 2 to your high school counselor. This authorizes the Eligibility Center to request your transcripts from the school. It also authorizes the Eligibility Center to send your academic information to the college coaches who request it. The college coaches will need to request your status with the Eligibility Center prior to having you on an official visit.
Your official test scores need to be sent and recorded to the Eligibility Center. They must be sent from the testing agency. Your test scores that appear on your high school transcripts are not accepted. When you take the SAT or ACT, use the code “9999′′ and it will alert the testing agency to send your scores to the Eligibility Center. This is imperative! Your high school is not able to send your testing scores to the Eligibility Center. Understand by meeting the academic requirements of the Eligibility Center this does not guarantee your acceptance into college. You will still need to meet the academic requirements of the academic institution you are applying for as well.
You will also need to request final amateur certification by signing the 10.1 statement. You will need to log back into your account and finalize the questionnaire prior to enrolling in college. You will complete the final authorization on or after April 1st of your Senior year prior to your enrollment to college.
Have a recruiting question for Kara Hill? Email [email protected], or use the hashtag #AskKaraHill on FaceBook and Instagram.