TIMELINE TO PURSUE COLLEGE ATHLETICS

MIDDLE SCHOOL

1. Practice good study habits: turn assignments in on-time, communicate with teachers, develop strong reading and analytical skills.
• I understand that straight C's in high school means I'm ineligible to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
• I understand that NCAA DI is the highest standard for academic eligibility, and I can play in NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA or NJCAA, if DI doesn't happen for me. 
2. Compete and train in my sport(s) to create a base for growth in high school.

FRESHMAN YEAR

1. Start off right. Grades count from Day 1. Hand things in on-time. Be on-time. Participate. Go to AM Support. Go to Wildkit Academy
2. See College Bound Student Athlete ("CBSA") Advisor with questions
3. Talk to club and high school coaches about my potential
4. Consult with my counselor/CBSA Advisor to confirm I'm registered for the right courses freshman and sophomore year
5. If I failed any core courses, take summer school - confirm the course is NCAA approved

SOPHOMORE YEAR

1. Continue to commit time and effort to school. Hand things in on-time and be on-time. Go to AM Support. Go to Wildkit Academy
2. See CBSA Advisor with questions
3. Start prep for the SAT/ACT. Grades/Scores are equally important for eligibility and in most cases admission to college
4. Start researching colleges and their athletic programs
5. Reach out to college coaches (see Recruiting Overview)
• Attend camps, fill out questionnaires, email stats/highlight reel and follow up with phone call, visit campuses and alert coaches in advance to set up meeting
6. Consult with my counselor/CBSA Advisor to confirm I'm registered for the right courses junior year
7. If I failed any core courses, or if my core GPA is below a 2.3, take summer school

JUNIOR YEAR

1. Continue to improve on my efforts at school
2. See CBSA Advisor to confirm eligibility and talk recruiting
3. NCAA DI/DII and NAIA athletes register with the NCAA Eligibility Center or NAIA Eligibility Center. Requires Transcript/Fee Waiver Request by end of Junior year
4. Prep for SAT/ACT with free online resources or tutor. You don't play the championship game without first practicing focused drills, fitness training, & competition
5. Take SAT/ACT more than once! Register NCAA (#9999) or NAIA (#9876) as score recipient before test day to save on extra fees later
6. Research/narrow down my college list
7. Initiate/continue conversations with college coaches
• Attend camps, fill out questionnaires, email stats/highlight reel and follow up with phone call, visit campuses and alert coach to set up meeting.
• See Recruiting Overview
8. Consider NAIA, NJCAA and NCAA in my search
9. Consult with my counselor/CBSA Advisor to confirm I'm registered for the right courses senior year
10. If I failed any core courses, this is my last chance to take summer school to correct D/F's before 20 grades are locked in and can't be changed later to raise my core GPA 

SENIOR YEAR

1. End senior year with my best efforts at school
2. Fill out FAFSA and possibly CSS Profile to understand how much need-based aid you can receive
3. See CBSA Advisor to confirm eligibility and talk recruiting
4. Prep for SAT/ACT with free online resources or tutors. You don't play the championship game without first practicing focused drills, fitness training, & competition
5. Take SAT/ACT more than once! Register NCAA (#9999) or NAIA (#9876) as score recipient before test day to save on extra fees later
6. APPLY to college(s) - know the application deadlines - communicate with college coach re: when you are applying
7. NCAA DI/DII and NAIA athletes register with the NCAA Eligibility Center or NAIA Eligibility Center. Requires Transcript/Fee Waiver Request.
8. Research/narrow down my college list
9. Initiate/continue conversations with college coaches. Don't wait for coaches to contact me
10. Consider NAIA, NJCAA and NCAA in my search
• Consult with counselor re: college choices
11. NCAA EC requires final transcript upon graduation