Attending an American College or University

1. Attending an American College or University What do I need to know?

2. What is the SAT and ACT? • The SAT and ACT are standardized tests administered to students in grades 11 and 12. • These tests along with your GPA(Grade Point Average) are what Universities and Colleges use to decide which students are accepted.

3. Writing the SAT • Register online at www.collegeboard.com • Many locations throughout the GTA depending on dates selected. • Write as often as you like

4. SAT Preparation • Many companies offer SAT prep courses for a fee. • Prepskills – www.prepskills.com • Kaplans – www.kaptest.com • Princeton Review – www.princetonreview.com

5. The NCAA • NCAA is a voluntary organization comprised of over 1200 institutions, conferences and organizations committed to the educational and athletic participation of student-athletes • Approximately 326 DI Institutions • Approximately 280 DII Institutions • Approximately 421 DIII Institutions • Approximately 350,000 Student-Athletes

6. The NCAA Clearinghouse • Determines whether a student is academically eligible to attend an NCAA D1 or D2 institution • Based on your GPA, SAT score and the completion of a group of core courses • If successful you are considered a qualifier

7. Qualifier A qualifier is a prospective student-athlete who graduates with 16 core courses and the requisite grade-point average that corresponds with his or her standardized test score. • A qualifier is eligible to receive an athletic scholarship and participate in intercollegiate competition during their initial year of collegiate enrollment.

8. What core courses do I need? • Division I Academic Requirements • 16 Core Courses • 4 years of English                             • 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)                             • 2 years of natural/physical science (one must be a lab science)                             • 1 year of additional English, math or science                             • 2 years of social studies                             • 4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above, or from foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy)

9. Core-Course Time Limitation • Only courses completed in grades 9-12 are used in the calculation • A student who graduates from an international educational system within the prescribed timeframe may use one core course completed in the year after graduation (summer or academic year), but not later than the end of the academic year immediately after the high school graduation of the student's class. • An international prospective student-athlete may complete the one core course at a location other than the high school from which the prospect graduated.

10. How to calculate your GPA Grade Scale U.S. Equivalent Quality Points 80-100 A 4 70-79 B 3 60-69 C 2 50-59 D 1 0-49 F 0

11. Course Mark Quality Points Eng 1D1 75 3 Eng 2D1 81 4 Eng 3U1 68 2 Eng 4U1 78 3 SNC 1D1 85 4 16 divided 5=3.2 Continue with all 16 core courses, total quality points and divide by 16 GPA Calculation

12. SAT/GPA Sliding Scale

13. What is the NAIA • The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • Similar to the NCAA but for smaller private schools • Still have D1-D3 and offer athletic scholarships • They do not use the NCAA Clearinghouse rules

14. Junior College - NJCAA • National Junior College Athletic Association • Two year colleges in the US • Do not use the Clearinghouse rules unless your transfer to an NCAA school • Still offer Athletic Scholarships

15. Athletic Scholarships • One myth is that a student-athlete has a 4-year scholarship • Scholarship may only be granted on a yearly basis • Student-athlete may receive 5-years of athletic aid • Most student-athletes receive a partial athletic scholarship

16. Useful Websites • www.ncaa.org • www.ncaaclearinghouse.net • www.collegeboard.com • www.naia.cstv.com • www.njcaa.org