The 16 core courses in HS

Bookmark these two links. You'll use them often.

http://www.ncaastudent.org/NCAA_Guide.pdf

http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html


Hope it helps.

Rich
www.playinschool.com

Every state has a different set of requirements for graduation. Work with his High School Guidance Counselor who will not only know what those requirements are, but also what the in-state colleges look for from applicants and possibly what the NCAA needs. Our experience was that meeting the requirements for local universities well exceeded the requirements for NCAA. Attend every parent info session the HS gives and he should be fine.

Div I

4 years English
3 years of Math
2 years of natural/physical science
1 additional year of English, math or natural/physical science
2 years of social science
4 years of additional cources from any of the above foriegnlanguage or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)

Div II

3 years English
2 years of Math
2 years of natural/physical science
2 additional year of English, math or natural/physical science
2 years of social science
3 years of additional cources from any of the above foriegnlanguage or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)

The classes at your school that meet this criteria are defined by guidance.

In 2013, DIV II is moving to 16 core classes as well so the above would change

As, PIS posted, definitely go to those sites and do your own research. You can enter your high school and print out the courses that are APPROVED by the NCAA. And then meet with guidance at your high school and schedule the classes, along with what the school requires for graduation.

Good Luck, and good job taking these steps now to insure all courses are met. Good Grades, opens many doors.

Each high school is different, make sure you print out the courses that match up for YOUR high school. We would have made some mistakes if we had not checked the list for warningtrack sons school.

Warningtrack, you are absolutely correct. 1B currently has 28 credits to graduate, but is 1 science credit short for NCAA. (He is takeing 2 half credits now so he will be eligible for DI) guidance consistently told me he was fine, until a college coach told us otherwise. Had to fight with the school to get classes approved.

I'm sure this doesn't happen a lot, we have a new high school in our town and the admin. was lacking in knowledge of the NCAA.

I have a somewhat related question. My son is a 2014 and has just completed his first term. Our grades are in percentages which must be converted.

He will have one 4.0 and one 3.0 course after his first term. He missed with the 3.0, and my question is: Does he go to summer school for a couple of weeks to push that 3.0 to a 4.0?

This coming term he is coming into his stronger suits (math and english) and will likely have a couple more 4.0's by summer. I know if he takes the course twice, only the higher mark will appear on his transcript and the other will be blank. My reasoning here is that it's easier to get 4.0's with Grade 9 courses than Grade 12's.

Pro's and Con's?

As others have stated, go to the clearinghouse site and look up YOUR HS's list of "approved" courses. It very well could be that some science(for ex.) courses offered by your school are not on the approved list... you MUST check your students transcript against the "approved list". I would not 'take the word' of the guidance counselor without double checking. Allthough they mean well, mistakes can be, and are, made.
You also have to 'convert' any numerical grades (i.e.-83) to a 4.0 scale using your HS's grade scale. In our's, the 83 is a 'C' and would get you 2.0 quality points. The clearinghouse will use the school's info to do this.... and so should you in your calculations.
It's fairly easy to follow links on the site to view and print out your school's list of 'approved courses'. Then have a seat with your player and see just how important those 4 years of HS are.