How Planning Early Creates Access

Course selection is one of the most overlooked strategy points in a student-athlete’s journey. While many students approach academics with a finish-line mindset, simply completing requirements, this approach often limits long-term options.

At Polaris Athlete, we coach student-athletes to think season by season. Today’s academic choices directly affect NCAA eligibility, recruiting conversations, admissions outcomes, and NIL opportunities. Course selection is not just an academic task. It is a strategic decision that shapes access, momentum, and future opportunity.

Planning early helps student-athletes avoid last-minute eligibility issues, including NCAA requirements such as the Division I 10/7 rule. It also allows students to build a clear academic narrative that reflects discipline, consistency, and follow-through while preserving flexibility when scheduling constraints or denied courses arise. In today’s blog post, we provide a practical course selection checklist for NCAA-bound student-athletes.

Step 1: Audit the Core-Course Trajectory, Not Just the Transcript

A transcript reflects what has already been completed. A core-course trajectory shows whether a student-athlete is on pace for NCAA eligibility.

Families should review which classes count as NCAA-approved core courses, how many core courses will be completed by the end of junior year, and whether the student will meet the requirement of completing 10 core courses before the start of the seventh semester for Division I eligibility.

This step alone can prevent eligibility issues that are difficult or impossible to resolve later in the recruiting process.

Step 2: Build a Four-Year Academic Plan With a 10/7 Checkpoint

Strong academic planning comes from asking the right questions at the right time.

• By the end of sophomore year, are English, math, and science courses building appropriate academic momentum?

• By the end of junior year, has the student safely passed the NCAA 10/7 checkpoint?

• By graduation, will the student complete all 16 NCAA-approved core courses required for Division I or Division II eligibility?

This approach is not about overloading schedules. It is about sequencing coursework with intention. When academic planning is aligned with a College Counseling × NIL Education framework, student-athletes protect eligibility while building pathways toward their long-term goals.

Step 3: Choose Academic Rigor With Sustainability in Mind

The most effective schedule is not always the hardest one. It is the schedule a student-athlete can execute consistently through training, travel, recovery, and competition.

A season-by-season approach evaluates which courses meet NCAA eligibility standards and college admissions expectations while accounting for athletic demands. It also identifies where guardrails are needed, including tutoring, study hall, or structured academic support.

True rigor is supported rigor.

Academic Support That Strengthens the Plan

Strategic academic planning is most effective when paired with expert support. Polaris Athlete partners with Revolution Prep, a national leader in academic tutoring and test preparation for student-athletes.

All Polaris Athletes receive two free hours with Revolution Prep, providing access to tutoring, study skills coaching, and test prep guidance. This partnership helps student-athletes maintain academic rigor, manage demanding schedules, and stay on track for both eligibility and admissions success.

Step 4: Maximize Academic Resources in Any School Setting

Previously as a school counselor and director of college counseling, I worked in a variety of high school environments. Every school offers academic infrastructure that can be leveraged strategically. Identifying how is key. Whether attending a large public school, small private school, charter program, hybrid model, or homeschool setting, student-athletes benefit from learning how to use available resources.

These may include teacher office hours, writing centers, math labs, peer tutoring, counselor meetings, dual enrollment options, or structured summer coursework. At home, simple systems such as weekly grade checks, missing-work audits, and consistent planning routines provide clarity and control.

When Course Access Is Denied, Advocate Strategically

School counselors and administrators face complex constraints when building schedules, including staffing, graduation requirements, and limited course availability.

When a course request is denied, effective advocacy involves asking for clear criteria, presenting evidence of readiness, proposing reasonable solutions, and following up respectfully. This approach is not about seeking special treatment. It is about ensuring fair access and protecting long-term opportunity.

Looking Ahead

Course selection is an early leverage point that directly impacts NCAA eligibility, college admissions, and NIL readiness. Starting early reduces stress, preserves options, and strengthens long-term outcomes.

At Polaris Athlete, we believe preparation creates access, strategy reduces friction, and student-athletes deserve guidance that connects academics, athletics, and future opportunity.