Prospective Student-Athlete Information
Information For Prospective Student-Athletes (PSAs) (Freshmen & Transfers)
Becoming a Bobcat!
UC Merced has a history of all-around success in both athletics, and more importantly, in academics as one of the top-rated universities in America. Becoming a Bobcat entails striving for greatness in both yourself and your team while in the classroom and wearing that cherished Blue and Gold. We are committed to providing the opportunity to properly prepare you for success after your athletic careers come to an end. This webpage is to better help serve you as to what is required to determine your NCAA eligibility, and steps that would need to be taken upon your acceptance to UC Merced. While this website is not comprehensive, it can serve as an excellent tool for better understanding all of the aspects of becoming a student-athlete. Please feel free to contact the Compliance Department should you desire more assistance.
Be sure to check out the following NCAA publications concerning steps that should be taken prior to a life as a NCAA student-athlete:
2024-25 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
2024-25 Guide for Four-Year Transfers
2024-25 Guide for Two-Year Transfers
2023-24 Guide for International Student-Athletes
International Student-Athlete Handbook
NCAA Division I Graduation Success Rates
NCAA Division II Academic Success Rates
Equity In Athletics Data Analysis (EADA)
NCAA Eligibility Center
ALL future UC Merced Bobcat student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly known as the "Clearinghouse"). This includes incoming freshmen student-athletes, currently enrolled UC Merced students interested in walking-on, and incoming transfer student-athletes.
Student-athletes who wish to play sports at the Division I or Division II level must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The Eligibility Center checks initial eligibility and amateurism for ALL Division I and Division II member institutions. Students are able to register with the Eligibility Center at any time during their high school career or post high school career. It is recommended that student-athletes register their sophomore year of high school and update their Eligibility Center account at the end of each semester and immediately following their high school graduation.
For NCAA Eligibility Center information and registration materials, prospective student-athletes and/or their parents/legal guardians should visit the Eligibility Center website by following the link or consult their high school guidance counselor.
NCAA Eligibility Center
The NCAA Eligibility Center contact info is as follows:
NCAA Eligibility Center
Certification Processing
P.O. Box 7136
Indianapolis, IN 46207
P: 877-262-1492
Fax: 317-968-5100
Definitions
A prospective student-athlete is any student who:
You become a "recruited" prospective student-athlete at UC Merced if any coach or representative of the UC Merced’s athletics interests (i.e. "booster") does any of the following:
NCAA Recruiting Rules
The NCAA strictly regulates when and how coaches and athletic department staff members can contact prospective student-athletes. Depending on the circumstances, they may not always be able speak to you or get back to you via phone or email. When contacting a coach or administrator, ALWAYS leave a detailed message that includes your age, grade level and school. This will help the coach/administrator determine whether he/she is allowed to have contact with you. The NCAA has a helpful Division II Recruiting Guide (PDF) with important definitions and a DII recruiting timeline to help you understand some of these rules. Please note, recruiting contact rules are different across Divisions I and II and III. See FAQs below for answers to some of the most frequently asked recruiting questions.
NCAA Initial Eligibility Standards
Incoming freshmen must meet certain academic standards to be considered eligible at UC Merced. These NCAA eligibility standards are separate from the admissions standards you must meet to be considered for admission to UC Merced. Divisions I and II have different eligibility standards so check in early to make sure you are on track to meeting NCAA Initial Eligibility Standards (PDF).
Transfer Student Eligibility
Prospective student-athletes who wish to transfer to UC Merced are subject to Division II transfer eligibility rules. The rules are different depending on whether you are transferring from a two-year junior college or a four-year institution. For an overview of transfer eligibility rules, please reference the Two-Year Junior College Transfer Guide (PDF) or Four-Year Institution Transfer Guide (PDF).
If you are a student currently at another four-year NCAA or NAIA school, OR if you have been enrolled at another four-year institution in the last year, UC Merced coaches and administrators are not allowed to have any contact with you unless you have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal (NCAA DI and DII institutions), have a release (also known as permission to contact) from your four-year institution (NCAA and DIII institutions), or a UC Merced representative has notified your current school of the intent to contact you (NAIA institutions).
NCAA Eligibility Center
All incoming student-athletes are required to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and submit certain information. The Eligibility Center evaluates both the academic and amateur status of all incoming student-athletes. Any prospective student-athlete planning an Official Visit is required to be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to the visit. Register and complete your assigned tasks as early as possible to avoid delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an official visit?
A: Any visit to a college campus where the institution pays for part or all of your expenses. You are only allowed to make one official visit per institution during your junior or senior year of high school.
Q: What is an unofficial visit?
A: An unofficial visit is any visit to a college that is not paid for by the institution. Unlike with official visits, you are allowed to take as many unofficial visits to a school as you like AND you can go on an unofficial visit at any age.
Q: When is the first opportunity a UC Merced coach may communicate with me?
A: UC Merced coaches may contact a prospective student-athlete and/or a family member June 15 prior your junior year in high school. There are different rules for different means of communication. The NCAA Division II Recruiting Guideline (PDF) will give you a complete breakdown of when and how UC Merced coaches can have contact with you and your parents. Remember recruiting rules are different for Divisions I, II, III and the NAIA.
Q: When can I start calling a UC Merced coach? When can I start emailing them?
A: Prospective student-athletes and their parents may call a UC Merced coach at any time. If the coach answers the call, he/she is free to talk to you. However, if you leave a message, NCAA rules may not allow the coach to return your call. Please reference the above mentioned NCAA Division II Recruiting Guideline (PDF) for specific information.
Similar to phone calls, you can always email a UC Merced coach. However, unless you've reached June 15 prior your junior year in high school, the coach is not allowed to email you back except to explain the NCAA contact rules. Remember, if you are a student at another four-year institution and are attempting to contact a UC Merced coach or administrator, you must follow the transfer procedures for each specific division of college athletics.
