Step 6: The Recruiting Process

What is recruiting? The NCAA defines it as such:
13.02.12 Recruiting. Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospective student-athlete or a prospective student athlete’s relatives (or legal guardians) by an institutional staff member or by a representative of the institution’s athletics interests for the purpose of securing the prospective student-athlete’s enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.

With that definition in mind, each season Florida A&M evaluates all parts of its team and will search for prospective student-athletes that will strengthen its weaknesses. After every September first of a propsective student-athlete's junior year, we can solicit those prospective student-athlete to become part of our team. Keep in mind team needs change season to season. However we evalute all prospective student-athlete on the following criteria:

1. Prospective Student-Athlete's Goals
2. Prospective Student-Athlete's Academic/ Major Interest
3. Prospective Student-Athlete's Academic Performance
4. Prospective Student-Athlete's Swimming Performance
5. Coaches Input of the Prospective Student-Athletes
6. Prospective Student-Athlete's Personality

As the prospective student-athlete, here are some points to remember:

- ASK QUESTIONS! Don't be afraid to ask the important questions up front. This will help you to become better informed about our University. Keep your education foremost in your mind by asking about academic programs that interest you. Fire away with specific questions about majors and courses in your field.
- Learn about expectation levels: time commitment, behavior, appearance, training, etc., and decide whether you can work within those guidlines.
- Most importantly, ask yourself if Florida A&M would be right for you even if you weren’t competing in athletics.

During the fall of a prospective student-athletes senior year of high school, we finalize our evaluation of their academic records and continue to monitor athletic performance. Prospective student-athletes need evaluate the pros and cons of our university and swim progam, and then make an informed decision if Florida A&M is the place for them. If the interest is mutual on both sides, the next step will be both sides making the commitment to each other. In some cases, that includes offering of scholarship.

Step 5 The NCAA part 2

HOW TO COMPLETE ELIGIBILITY WORKSHEETS like the NCAA

The following information is to assist you with monitoring your progress in meeting the NCAA initial-eligibility standards. You may want to consult with your parents, guardians, and counselor if you have questions.

STEP 1 Obtain your high school’s List of NCAA-Approved Core Courses and a copy of your unofficial high school transcript.

STEP 2 Using your high school’s List of NCAA-Approved Core Courses and your transcript, make a worksheet and write the course title, amount of credit earned and grade. Only include courses on the list of approved core courses. Generally, you will receive the same credit from the clearinghouse as you received from your high school.

STEP 3 Determine the quality points for each course. Multiply the quality points for the grade by the amount of credit earned. Use the following grading scale:
A – 4 points C – 2 points
B – 3 points D – 1 point

NOTE: The clearinghouse does not use plus or minus grades when calculating your core-course grade point average. For example, grades of “B+”, “B”, and “B-“will be calculated as “B” and each will earn 3 quality points. The clearinghouse will provide a yearly grade by averaging grades achieved during terms within the academic year if the high school has awarded one full unit of credit for the course.
Example: 1 semester with an “A” equals 2.00 quality points (.50 units x 4 quality points)
1 year with an “A” equals 4.00 quality points (1.0 unit x 4 quality points)

STEP 4 To calculate your estimated core-course grade point average, simply add up your quality points then divide the total number of quality points for all core courses by the total number of core course units completed.


NOTE: This is for your personal use. The clearinghouse will calculate your actual core course grade point average once it has received your final transcript(s).


Example: 45 quality points and 13 core-course units
45/13 = 3.462 core-course GPA

42 quality points and 14 core-course units
42/14 = 3.000 core-course GPA

28 quality points and 12.5 core-course units
28/12.5 = 2.24 core-course GPA

STEP 5 Refer to Step 4 the NCAA part 1 and look for your score on the table to determine if your core-course GPA and test scores meet the NCAA eligibility requirements.

STEP 6 To monitor your current eligibility status, use the appropriate standards for Division I to determine if you are projected to meet the NCAA initial-eligibility requirements for grade point average and core-course units.

NOTE: If you are deficient in meeting all core-course units, which is probable if you have not completed high school, plan to enroll and complete core courses in the areas where you are deficient.

NOTE: In the event you complete more core-course units, the clearinghouse will select the highest grades that satisfy the initial-eligibility requirements to calculate your core-course grade point average. Please note that it is still necessary to complete the required number of core-course units in each discipline.
Now it time to Get Recruited! On to the Final Step! Step 6!

Step 4: The NCAA part 1

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the governing body for all sports at colleges across the country. If you want to be a student-athlete, you will need to get certified to play a sport by going through the Initial Eligibility Center.
Click the link to the left to register:The NCAA Initial Eligibility Center

The NCAA will evaluate your academic record ( i.e your transcript and test scores) to see if you will meet the minimum standards to be a student athlete.
Below is the details from the NCAA on the minimum standard for a division 1 school.

NCAA ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Students who wish to participate in collegiate athletics at the Division I or II level must apply for certification with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse after their junior year in high school. Your high school counselors can assist students in completing the paperwork necessary in this process.

To be certified by the Clearinghouse, you must:

• Graduate from high school.
You should apply for certification after your junior year in high school if you are sure you wish to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a freshman at a Division I. The Clearinghouse will issue a preliminary certification report after you have had all your materials submitted. After you graduate, if your eligibility status is requested by a member institution, the Clearinghouse will review your final transcript to make a final certification decision according to NCAA standards.

• Complete the 16 (Division I) core courses listed below.

Core Units Required for NCAA Certification
Subject - Units Required
English Core - 4 Years
Math Core - 3 Years ( Alg. 1 or Above)
Science Core - 2 Years
Additional Eng/Math/Sci - 1 Year
Social Science Core - 2 Years
Additional Academic Courses from Approved List - 4 Years
Total 16

• Present a minimum required grade point average in your core courses. Only courses that are on ’s “List of NCAA Approved Core Courses” can be used to calculate your NCAA g.p.a. No special values are allowed for “+” or “-“ grades.

• Achieve a combined SAT or ACT sum score that meets the requirements for Division I

Division I - A student must have at least a 2.0 GPA in 16 CORE academic courses AND the required SAT or ACT score based on the test score sliding scale on the following page.


Division I Core GPA/Test Score Index
(To be used with 16 core courses)

Core GPA - SAT - ACT
3.550 & above - 400 - 37
3.525 - 410 - 38
3.500 - 420 - 39
3.475 - 430 - 40
3.450 - 440 - 41
3.425 - 450 - 41
3.400 - 460 - 42
3.375 - 470 - 42
3.350 - 480 - 43
3.325 - 490 - 44
3.300 - 500 - 44
3.275 - 510 - 45
3.250 - 520 - 46
3.225 - 530 - 46
3.200 - 540 - 47
3.175 - 550 - 47
3.150 - 560 - 48
3.125 - 570 - 49
3.100 - 580 - 49
3.075 - 590 - 50
3.050 - 600 - 50
3.025 - 610 - 51
3.000 - 620 - 52
2.975 - 630 - 52
2.950 - 640 - 53
2.925 - 650 - 53
2.900 - 660 - 54
2.875 - 670 - 55
2.850 - 680 - 56
2.825 - 690 - 56
2.800 - 700 - 57
2.775 - 710 - 58
2.750 - 720 - 59
2.725 - 730 - 59
2.700 - 730 - 60
2.675 - 740-750 - 61
2.650 - 760 - 62
2.625 - 770 - 63
2.600 - 780 - 64
2.575 - 790 - 65
2.550 - 800 - 66
2.525 - 810 - 67
2.500 - 820 - 68
2.475 - 830 - 69
2.450 - 840-850 - 70
2.425 - 860 - 70
2.400 - 860 - 71
2.375 - 870 - 72
2.350 - 880 - 73
2.325 - 890 - 74
2.300 - 900 - 75
2.275 - 910 - 76
2.250 - 920 - 77
2.225 - 930 - 78
2.200 - 940 - 79
2.175 - 950 - 80
2.150 - 960 - 80
2.125 - 960 - 81
2.100 - 970 - 82
2.075 - 980 - 83
2.050 - 990 - 84
2.025 - 1000 - 85
2.000 - 1010 - 86

To learn how the NCAA determines your eligibility, click here for Step 5

Step 3: College Admissions- Florida A&M University

If you have decided to attend Florida A&M University, you need to know the process for getting admitted.

The Office of Admissions is the first step into our university.

Here you will get all the information on entrance standards, deadlines, forms and contact information for your process. If you are a freshman, May 15 is the deadline for your application.

Already Applied? On to Step 4

Step 2: The "Four Year Plan"

Outlined by the NCAA, here are the main activities that prospective student-athlete in the sport of swimming should follow:

Freshman Year
- Talk to your school counselor about NCAA core class requirements
- Keep your grades high and work on your study habits
- Get to know all the coaches in your sport
- Attend sports camps if possible
- Realistically analyze your ability
- Start thinking about future academic and swimming goals

Sophomore Year
- Talk to your school counselor about your academic and career goals
- Talk to your coaches about your swimming goals, abilities and ambitions
- Keep up your grades
- Take the PSAT test in October
- Make preliminary inquiries to colleges that interest you (a brief letter to the college coach might be appropriate)

Junior Year
- Talk with your counselor about career goals and, again, about the NCAA core course requirements
- Talk with your coach about a realistic assessment of which college level you can swim
- Take the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT
- Attend College Night in October - Do the NCAA Workshop
- Think about what elements you want to have your college experience
- Define your list of possible college choices. Know their admission requirements
- Attend college fairs and financial aid workshops
- Create a sports resume
- Write letters to college coaches expressing your interest
- Obtain letters of recommendation from teachers
- Apply for eligibility to the NCAA Clearinghouse at the completion of junior year
- Attend sports camps in the summer, if appropriate

Senior Year
- Meet again with your counselor to ensure that you are meeting all graduation and NCAA requirements
- Take college visits and tours of your top choices
- Retake the SAT and/or ACT, if appropriate
- Refine your college list and apply for admission
- Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1
- Sit down with your parents and coach to list the pros and cons of each school you are considering
- Be sure of your final choice before signing any papers
- Let coaches know when their school is no longer in the running. Thank them!
- Make your final college decision based on a meaningful education, excellent career preparation, and a satisfying athletic experience—IN THAT ORDER!

Whats Next? On to Step 3

Step 1: So you want to swim in college?

So, you want to be a collegiate swimmer. That’s great! Now, you have to learn the process to actually be a college swimmer. The National College Athletic Association (NCAA) has developed a process that ensures that all participating colleges and universities and their student-athletes are competing on a “level playing field,” and that all prospective swimmers are academically eligible to participate.

WHAT EVERY HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMER SHOULD DO FIRST

Read this article from the March 2014 issue of Splash magazine.
Can I swim in College?

Now onto Step 2

Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete

In an effort to help prospective students better understand the college swimming and diving recruiting process, FAMU Swimming and Diving is providing an updated set of blogs on College Admissions, the NCAA, our swimming program, and the Recruiting process, and the Transition process. This information is for the purpose of educating parents, prospective student-athletes and coaches about the how to become a swimmer at Florida A&M University.

Step 1: So you want to swim  in college?

Step 2: The "Four Year Plan"

Step 3: Admissions

Step 4: The NCAA part 1

Step 4: The NCAA part 2

Step 5: The Recruiting Process