Welcome to the Recruiting Help Center.
Here you will learn all the basics and have the resources to take the first steps in the college recruiting process.
As a student-athlete, the college sports recruitment process is a critical stage in your academic and athletic career. Find the right college fit that provides the best opportunities to excel in your sport and aligns with your academic goals.
This means identifying your academic needs, researching the study programs offered by different schools, and understanding the academic requirements of the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA.
In this blog post, we will guide you through a 3-step process of finding the right college fit academically so that you can make an informed decision about your college sports recruitment.
1. Understanding NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA academic requirements to find the right college fit
Firstly, understanding NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA academic requirements is an important step in finding the right fit for college sports recruitment.
The NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA are all organizations that govern college athletics in the United States. Each has its own set of academic requirements for student-athletes. The NCAA has three divisions (Division I, II, III) with different academic standards. In contrast, the NAIA and NJCAA have their unique set of criteria.
Regarding academic requirements, the NCAA Division I has the most stringent standards. NCAA Division II and NAIA have similar requirements, but NCAA Division II may be slightly more rigorous. On the other hand, NJCAA tends to have lower academic standards than NCAA DII and NAIA. NCAA Division III does not have minimum academic standards.
It's important to remember that regardless of the organization, maintaining good grades and progressing toward your degree is required to remain eligible to compete.
It is essential to understand which organization and division you qualify for academically, as this will help you narrow down your list of suitable colleges.
Before you start researching specific schools, familiarize yourself with the academic requirements of the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA by visiting the following blog posts.
NCAA Requirements
NAIA Requirements
NJCAA Requirements
2. Researching academic requirements per university
Researching academic requirements per university is crucial in finding the right fit academically during the college sports recruitment process.
Once you understand which organization and division you qualify for academically, you can start researching specific schools on your shortlist. It's important to know that each school may have different academic requirements, even within the same organization or division.
To research the academic requirements of a specific school, you can create a Free Online Profile and explore our College Database.
Standard academic requirements that you may come across include:
• Minimum GPA
• Minimum test scores such as SAT or ACT
• Language proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS or DuoLingo (for international students)
• Specific high school courses or coursework
• Progress toward a degree
Pay attention to these requirements and ensure you meet them, as they can vary from school to school. Be sure also to check the specific requirements of the conference or league the school is a member of.
3. Finding your desired study program
Lastly, finding the right study program is crucial for ensuring a successful and fulfilling college experience. When evaluating schools, it is vital to consider the program and how it aligns with your future career goals. This will help ensure you get the education and skills needed to succeed in your desired field.
Some common majors include business, engineering, computer science, nursing, biology, psychology, and education
At +31 Sports, we understand the importance of finding the right school for student-athletes. That's why we have created a college database specifically designed for athletes. Our database allows you to search for schools based on various criteria, including location, size, and specific programs offered, as well as the level of athletic programs and scholarships available.
You can create a free profile to search for the best options that fit you and your athletic goals.
