With so many things in life, planning is key. For the aspiring collegiate water polo player, being academically prepared for college may open (or close) opportunities to be recruited, admitted to college, and actually compete at the collegiate level. To optimize the chances of being recruited, it's critical to determine exactly which courses the NCAA and schools you're considering require —and to develop a timeline for taking the required courses. The following guidelines should help develop a personal course plan.
Athletes' Course Selection
College-bound athletes should select courses that:
- Meet high school graduation requirements.
- Adequately prepare them for rigorous college work.
- Meet NCAA initial-eligibility requirements.
Division I Academic Eligibility Requirements / Core Courses
- Graduate high school.
- Complete these 16 courses:
4 years of English
3 years of math (algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science, if your high school offers it)
1 additional year of English, math, natural or physical science
2 years of social science
4 years of additional core courses from any aforementioned category, or foreign language, comparative religion/ philosophy
- Minimum core GPA to compete is 2.3 (2.0 to practice and receive athletics aid)
- 10 core courses must be completed and "locked in" by end of 7thsemester; 7 of 10 courses must be in English, math, and/or natural science.
- Core courses cannot be retaken for grade improvement; repeated course may only be used once
- If 10 core-courses requirement is not met, athlete only can practice and receive aid but cannot compete
- 8th-grade courses cannot satisfy core course requirements.
- GPA is calculated using core courses only.
Division II Academic Eligibility Requirements / Core Courses
- Graduate high school.
- Complete these 16 courses:
3 years of English
2 years of math (algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science, if your high school offers it)
3 years of additional English, math, natural or physical science
2 years of social science
4 years of additional core courses from any aforementioned category, or foreign language, comparative religion, or philosophy.
- Minimum core GPA to compete is 2.2 (2.0 for aid or to practice)
- GPA is calculated using core courses only.
- 8th-grade courses cannot satisfy core course requirements.
For updated information, visit NCAA Eligibility Center Quick Reference Guide
To determine which of your school's courses meet the NCAA Core Courses requirements, visit
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Quick_Reference_Sheet.pdf
(https://web1.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction?hsActionSubmit=searchhighschool) and enter your school's information.
Questions? Write to Angela Kraus at angela@shootingforcollege.info. Angela Kraus is an experienced and certified college counselor who focuses on advising high school athletes as they navigate the athletic recruiting process, emphasizing water polo players.
