KYLIE PRATT'S COLLEGE CONSULTING ©

The Association was founded in 1906.  It is made up of 977 schools classified in three divisions (Div. I has 318 schools; Div. II has 264; and Div. III has 395).  Schools in Division I, which is divided into two subdivisions for football (Div. 1-A and 1-AA), compete at the so-called major-college level.

The NCAA sponsors 82 championships in 22 sports.  Almost 24,500 men and women student-athletes compete annually for NCAA titles.

Unfortunately, you occasionally hear about NCAA schools being put on probation for violating rules the colleges themselves have adopted.

The NCAA has strict guidelines to becoming eligible to compete in Div. I, Div. II, and Div. III.  A potential student-athlete must have an amateur status, and also pass the academic requirements for an incoming freshmen (Graduate Yr. 12, SAT, and NCAA Clearinghouse)..

Note:  Junior Colleges and NAIA schools have lower academic standards and compete on a lower lever athletically.  It is possible to transfer from these schools into a Division I program after you satisfy the NCAA academic eligibility requirements.  Most Junior Colleges and NAIA schools offer 2-year associate degrees.