Information for Student Athletes

Athletics is an area of special talent that can make a difference in the college admissions and financial aid process. At most colleges, athletics are regulated by the rules established by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) which divides all college sports programs into three divisions known as Division I, II, and III. The recruitment and enrollment of college athletes are governed firmly by the NCAA's rules for each division.

To be eligible to participate at the Division I or II level, where full athletic scholarships are awarded, students must be certified as eligible by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.

Suggestions for the Student Athlete:

• Inform your high school coach that you are interested in playing that sport in college. Ask the coach if he or she is available to college coaches.

• Prepare and mail a short letter of introduction and an athletic resume to college coaches.

• Become familiar with the NCAA rules regarding the recruitment of athletes.

• Inform your counselor that you are interested in competing in athletics at the college level.

• Register with the NCAA Clearing House if planning to play a sport at a division one or division two college the summer before senior year. Visit www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

• Resources for Prospective College Athletes:

• A Guide for College-Bound Athletes and Their Parents: This pamphlet has a good sample letter, athletic resume, and bibliography.

• NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete: A free publication and the best place to start to familiarize oneself with the rules, philosophy, and organization of the NCAA. Most athletic directors and guidance offices are mailed free copies each year.

Information for Students with Disabilities

 

Students with identified physical or learning disabilities may want to investigate the programs and services that are specifically designed to meet their post-secondary educational needs. Students may want to make use of preparatory programs that help them identify individual learning styles and develop organizational and study skills that maximize their strengths. Within a four-year college there are often special programs for learning disabled students that provide academic advising, tutorial support, and help in coordinating special services necessary for the student to function in regular classes.

These programs also frequently provide non-credit courses that help the student identify his or her learning style and develop appropriate compensatory skills. There is often a separate admissions process to enter an L.D. program. Even in colleges which provide no special programs for learning-disabled students, individuals with learning disabilities may take advantage of tutorial or other support services which are available to all students, and students may request appropriate modifications, such as extended time testing, taping of lectures, etc.

As students explore post-secondary options, they should raise questions in each college setting about the availability of support services, the presence of trained L.D. specialists, and the provision for classroom modification, if necessary. In most instances, students should indicate in the application process the nature of the learning disability services they have received in high school, and the nature of accommodations that will be necessary in college, if any. If the school has a special learning support program, the student should also be in contact with the director of that program during the admissions process.

Colleges that have a program for learning-disabled students frequently require professional assessments which document and identify the specific learning disability of the student who is applying. Students should seek help from their guidance counselor about specific programs and application procedures.

Questions you may want to ask on a college visit.