Guide for College Bound Student Athletes George Mason High School Boys Soccer Program

Overview Academic Requirements/ Preparation Academic Requirements/ Preparation Initial Eligibility Requirements Initial Eligibility Requirements Sliding Scale (GPA- SAT/ACT) Sliding Scale (GPA- SAT/ACT) Checklist Checklist Recruiting Regulations Recruiting Regulations Commitments Commitments Scholarships/Aid Scholarships/Aid Checklist Checklist

Academic Requirements Freshman and Sophomores Freshman and Sophomores Juniors Juniors Seniors Seniors Online Courses Online Courses

Freshman and Sophomores Start Planning Now Start Planning Now Work hard to get best grades possible Work hard to get best grades possible Take classes that match Mason’s list of Approved Core Courses. NCAA Eligibility Center only uses these courses to certify eligibility. Take classes that match Mason’s list of Approved Core Courses. NCAA Eligibility Center only uses these courses to certify eligibility. Access the list at Access the list at

Juniors At the beginning of Jr. year register at At the beginning of Jr. year register at Register to take ACT, SAT or both. Use the code “9999” to send scores directly to the Eligibility Center as a score recipient. Register to take ACT, SAT or both. Use the code “9999” to send scores directly to the Eligibility Center as a score recipient. Double check to make sure you are taking Approved Core Courses. Double check to make sure you are taking Approved Core Courses.

Ask guidance counselor to send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completion of Junior year. (They do not accept faxes). Ask guidance counselor to send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completion of Junior year. (They do not accept faxes). Before registering for Senior classes meet with Guidance Counselor to determine what Core Courses you will need to complete. Before registering for Senior classes meet with Guidance Counselor to determine what Core Courses you will need to complete.

Seniors Take ACT/SAT again if necessary. The NCAA will use the best scores from each section of the tests to determine best cumulative score. Take ACT/SAT again if necessary. The NCAA will use the best scores from each section of the tests to determine best cumulative score. Continue to take College Prep Courses. Continue to take College Prep Courses. Double check that they meet List of Approved Core Courses. Double check that they meet List of Approved Core Courses.

Review your sports participation responses and request final amateurism certification beginning April 1 (for Fall enrollees) or October 1 (for Spring enrollees). Review your sports participation responses and request final amateurism certification beginning April 1 (for Fall enrollees) or October 1 (for Spring enrollees). Continue to work hard to get best grades! Continue to work hard to get best grades! Graduate on time (in 8 semesters). Graduate on time (in 8 semesters). Ask Counselor to send your final transcript to the Eligibility Center with proof of graduation. Ask Counselor to send your final transcript to the Eligibility Center with proof of graduation.

Online or Credit Recovery Programs Must have certified teachers Must have certified teachers Requires instruction between student and teacher. Not just work on their own. Requires instruction between student and teacher. Not just work on their own. Must teach the entire course, not just a section. Must teach the entire course, not just a section. Must have assignments, quizzes, papers and exams. Must have assignments, quizzes, papers and exams.

One form of assessment is not acceptable. One form of assessment is not acceptable. Courses must have significant rigor. Courses must have significant rigor. Must meet high school policy. Must meet high school policy. Must require security measures. Must be able to verify the student’s identity. Must require security measures. Must be able to verify the student’s identity. Requires certified proctors. Requires certified proctors.

If A Student Falls Behind Meet with Guidance Counselor to make a plan on how to get back on track. Meet with Guidance Counselor to make a plan on how to get back on track. Sign up for College Prep Courses. Sign up for College Prep Courses. Consider Summer School after 9 th, 10 th, 11 th grades. Consider Summer School after 9 th, 10 th, 11 th grades. Take a full load of classes but do not overload. Take a full load of classes but do not overload.

Get tutoring. Get tutoring. Graduate on time with your class. Graduate on time with your class. Accept the consequences of poor academic performance. Accept the consequences of poor academic performance. Call the compliance officer at colleges or call NCAA Eligibility Center for questions. Call the compliance officer at colleges or call NCAA Eligibility Center for questions.

DO NOT try a “quick fix” through short cuts. DO NOT try a “quick fix” through short cuts. DO NOT try to take a full load of courses at high school and another full load at alternative school programs at night. DO NOT try to take a full load of courses at high school and another full load at alternative school programs at night. DO NOT go around or through school policy. Work within the rules. DO NOT go around or through school policy. Work within the rules.

Initial Eligibility Requirements Division I Division I Division II Division II Division III Division III

Divison I Uses a sliding scale to match test scores and core course GPA. Uses a sliding scale to match test scores and core course GPA. Only courses that appear on Mason’s List of NCAA Courses will be used to calculate the core GPA. Use the list as a guide. Only courses that appear on Mason’s List of NCAA Courses will be used to calculate the core GPA. Use the list as a guide. GPA required to receive athletic aid and to practice on or after August 1, 2016 is depending upon test score. GPA required to receive athletic aid and to practice on or after August 1, 2016 is depending upon test score.

GPA to be eligible for competition on or after August 1, 2016 is with corresponding test scores. GPA to be eligible for competition on or after August 1, 2016 is with corresponding test scores.

Core Course Grade Point Average NCAA uses a 4.00 Scale NCAA uses a 4.00 Scale A = 4 points A = 4 points B = 3 points B = 3 points C= 2 points C= 2 points D = 1 point D = 1 point Number Grades are changed to letter grades. Number Grades are changed to letter grades.

SAT / ACT All SAT and ACT test scores must be reported directly from the testing agency. All SAT and ACT test scores must be reported directly from the testing agency. When registering for the test(s) use the NCAA Eligibility Center Code “9999”. When registering for the test(s) use the NCAA Eligibility Center Code “9999”. ACT uses sum of English, Math, Reading and Science scores. ACT uses sum of English, Math, Reading and Science scores. SAT uses ONLY Critical Reading and Math sections. Multiple tests will use best score from each section. SAT uses ONLY Critical Reading and Math sections. Multiple tests will use best score from each section.

Division I : 16 Core Courses 4 years of English 4 years of English 3 years of Math (Algebra I or higher) 3 years of Math (Algebra I or higher) 2 years natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered) 2 years natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered) 1 year additional English, Math or Science 1 year additional English, Math or Science 2 years of Social Science 2 years of Social Science 4 years additional courses (foreign language, comparative religion/philosophy or any area above) 4 years additional courses (foreign language, comparative religion/philosophy or any area above)

Divison II Minimum SAT of 820 or ACT of 68. Minimum SAT of 820 or ACT of 68. SAT uses only critical reading and math scores. SAT uses only critical reading and math scores. ACT is a sum of English, Math, Reading and Science sections. ACT is a sum of English, Math, Reading and Science sections. Core Course GPA minimum is Core Course GPA minimum is Use the Sliding Scale- these are minimum scores for each section! Use the Sliding Scale- these are minimum scores for each section!

Division II: 16 Core Courses 3 years of English 3 years of English 2 years of Math (Algebra I or higher) 2 years of Math (Algebra I or higher) 2 years natural/physical Science (1 year lab) 2 years natural/physical Science (1 year lab) 3 years additional English, Math or Science 3 years additional English, Math or Science 2 years of Social Science 2 years of Social Science 4 years additional (areas above plus foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy) 4 years additional (areas above plus foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy)

Sliding Scale- Divison I The Sliding Scale of GPA plus ACT/SAT requirements are available at The Sliding Scale of GPA plus ACT/SAT requirements are available at

Sliding Scale Examples- DI GPA of needs SAT of 1010 or act 86 GPA of needs SAT of 1010 or act 86 GPA of needs 920/77. GPA of needs 920/77. GPA of needs 820/68. GPA of needs 820/68. GPA of needs 720/59. GPA of needs 720/59. GPA of needs 620/52. GPA of needs 620/52. GPA of needs 520/46. GPA of needs 520/46. GPA above needs 400/37. GPA above needs 400/37.

Division II Requires a minimum SAT score of 820 or ACT score of 68 Requires a minimum SAT score of 820 or ACT score of 68 Minimum Core Course GPA of Minimum Core Course GPA of 2.000

Checklist Register at the beginning of Sophomore year at Register at the beginning of Sophomore year at Send transcripts at end of Junior year. Send transcripts at end of Junior year. Take ACT or SAT and use code “9999”. Take ACT or SAT and use code “9999”. Meet with Guidance Counselor regularly. Meet with Guidance Counselor regularly. Request final Amateurism Certificate during Senior year. Request final Amateurism Certificate during Senior year. Have Guidance Counselor send final transcripts and proof of Graduation Have Guidance Counselor send final transcripts and proof of Graduation

Division III (and other Organizations such as NAIA) Not regulated or certified by the Eligibility Center. Not regulated or certified by the Eligibility Center. D-3 schools set their own admissions standards. D-3 schools set their own admissions standards. Contact each school of interest in regards to their standards and policies for admission, eligibility and financial aid. Contact each school of interest in regards to their standards and policies for admission, eligibility and financial aid.

Recruiting Terms Contact- any face to face meeting with a student or parents off a college campus. Contact- any face to face meeting with a student or parents off a college campus. Contact Periods- Coaches may student or parents during these times. Contact Periods- Coaches may student or parents during these times. Dead Periods- No contact times. Dead Periods- No contact times. Evaluation- any activity a coach watches. Evaluation- any activity a coach watches.

Official Visits- Any visit to a college campus by student or parents paid for in full or part by the college. Official Visits- Any visit to a college campus by student or parents paid for in full or part by the college. Includes: Transportation, Room, Meals during visit, reasonable entertainment expenses including admission to an athletic contest. Includes: Transportation, Room, Meals during visit, reasonable entertainment expenses including admission to an athletic contest.

Unofficial Visits Any visit to a college paid for by the Student or Parents. Any visit to a college paid for by the Student or Parents.

Soccer Recruiting Rules- Sophomore Year You may receive brochures for Camps and Questionnaires You may receive brochures for Camps and Questionnaires You may make calls to a coach at your expense, the coach can not call you. You may make calls to a coach at your expense, the coach can not call you. No off-campus contact is allowed. No off-campus contact is allowed. No official visits are allowed. No official visits are allowed. You may make unlimited unofficial visits, except during dead periods. You may make unlimited unofficial visits, except during dead periods.

Junior Year You may begin receiving recruiting materials on Sept. 1 of Junior year. You may begin receiving recruiting materials on Sept. 1 of Junior year. You may call a coach at your expense. You may call a coach at your expense. Coaches may call you once per week starting July 1 after your Junior year. Coaches may call you once per week starting July 1 after your Junior year. Off-campus contact is allowed starting July 1 after your Junior year. Off-campus contact is allowed starting July 1 after your Junior year.

No official visits are allowed. No official visits are allowed. You may make unlimited unofficial visits, except during dead periods. You may make unlimited unofficial visits, except during dead periods.

Senior Year Recruiting materials are allowed Recruiting materials are allowed Coaches may contact you once per week beginning July 1. Coaches may contact you once per week beginning July 1. Off-campus contact is allowed. Off-campus contact is allowed. Official visits are allowed beginning the opening day of classes of Senior year. Official visits are allowed beginning the opening day of classes of Senior year.

Evaluations and contacts by coach are allowed up to 7 times during Senior year. Evaluations and contacts by coach are allowed up to 7 times during Senior year. A college coach may contact students and parents off campus not more than three times during the Senior year. A college coach may contact students and parents off campus not more than three times during the Senior year. Unlimited printed materials are allowed. Unlimited printed materials are allowed. No limit on phone calls. No limit on phone calls.

You may make an unlimited number of unofficial visits at any time. You may make an unlimited number of unofficial visits at any time. You may make official visits starting the opening day of classes of Senior year. You may make official visits starting the opening day of classes of Senior year. You may only make one official visit per college and maximum of five to Division I schools. No limit to Division II schools. You may only make one official visit per college and maximum of five to Division I schools. No limit to Division II schools.

Verbal Commitment Verbal Commitment prior to signing a National Letter of Intent. Verbal Commitment prior to signing a National Letter of Intent. Can announce a verbal commitment at any time. Can announce a verbal commitment at any time. NOT BINDING for the athlete or the college. NOT BINDING for the athlete or the college.

National Letter of Intent Binding Agreement between student and college to attend the college or university for one academic year. Binding Agreement between student and college to attend the college or university for one academic year. In exchange the college must provide athletics financial aid for one academic year. In exchange the college must provide athletics financial aid for one academic year. Review the restrictions and rules at Review the restrictions and rules at or call or call

Athletic Scholarships Athletic Scholarships are minimum one year agreements. Schools are permitted to offer multi-year agreements. Athletic Scholarships are minimum one year agreements. Schools are permitted to offer multi-year agreements. Schools must notify the student-athlete by July 1 whether scholarships will be renewed for the following year. Schools must notify the student-athlete by July 1 whether scholarships will be renewed for the following year.

Non-Athletic Aid Pell Grants Pell Grants Student Assistance Funds Student Assistance Funds Financial Aid Financial Aid Must report all scholarships to the college financial aid office. Must report all scholarships to the college financial aid office. Schools may have other funds available. Contact the individual school. Schools may have other funds available. Contact the individual school. Only about 2% of High School Athletes are awarded athletics scholarships. Only about 2% of High School Athletes are awarded athletics scholarships.

Additional Help Additional tips, help and information can be found through a site that is independent of the NCAA and is located at Additional tips, help and information can be found through a site that is independent of the NCAA and is located at

Checklist (Again- Important!) Register at the beginning of Sophomore year at Register at the beginning of Sophomore year at Send transcripts at end of Junior year. Send transcripts at end of Junior year. Take ACT or SAT and use code “9999”. Take ACT or SAT and use code “9999”. Meet with Guidance Counselor regularly. Meet with Guidance Counselor regularly. Request final Amateurism Certificate during Senior year. Request final Amateurism Certificate during Senior year. Have Guidance Counselor send final transcripts and proof of Graduation Have Guidance Counselor send final transcripts and proof of Graduation