COLLEGE SWIMMING RECRUITMENT

The following information can be used as a guide and/or starting point to understand and follow the college recruitment process.

#1: KNOW YOUR OPTIONS!

              

       

 

#2: FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH RECRUITING RULES

       Link: College Recruiting Rules for Women's Swimming

       Link: College Recruiting Rules for Men's Swimming

#3: TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE SWIMMING RECRUITMENT

9th Grade

  • Research 2-3 schools per week
  • Create a list of 100 prospective schools consider both athletics and academics
  • Film highlights tape
  • Evaluate your footage and areas you can improve
  • Send introduction letters to coaches
  • Go on at least 3 unofficial visits to colleges
  • Build relationships by making phone calls, send letters and emails
  • Attend camps with the goals of honing your skills and to gain exposure 

Rules and Tips to Consider and Understand:

  • Coaches are watching your development throughout high school at camps, in school and in the pool
  • Standouts are proactive, it’s never too early for YOU to write a letter or make a call to coaches
  • DI and DII coaches can’t personally contact you until Junior year, but YOU can contact them
  • DIII and NAIA coaches can contact you at anytime
  • Important to do be familiar with the school both athletically and academically

10th Grade

  • Film your swim meets
  • Continue to research prospective schools
  • Narrow your list of top schools
  • Continue to build relationships by making calls, sending letters, emails with the RIGHT college coaches
  • Fill out questionnaires
  • Make unofficial visits

11th Grade

  • Film your highlights tape
  • Send coaches a season schedule and invite them to your swim meet
  • Follow-up with coaches you’ve contacted in a TIMELY manner
  • Ask coaches where you stand on their recruits list
  • Fill out questionnaires
  • Respond to EVERY coach
  • Make unofficial visits to schools
  • Narrow down your prospective schools list

Rules/Tips to Remember:

  • Don’t rule out the DIII programs
  • If you’re considering NAIA programs, register with the NAIA Eligibility Center
  • Contact coaches once a week
  • DI and high-level DII coaches finish offering scholarships and recruiting beginning of Senior Year
  • If you haven’t heard from DI coaches, consider DII, DIII, NAIA programs
  • DII, DIII and NAIA programs do a lot of their recruiting Senior year and make offers in the Spring
  • DII, DIII and NAIA programs still make offers spring of Senior year

12th Grade

  • Make official visits – only allowed 5
  • Continue to stay in touch with college coaches
  • Follow-up with coaches and respond in a TIMELY manner
  • Apply to the schools- applications
  • Apply for financial aid FAFSA.ed.gov starting Jan. 1st
  • Sign and Commit to a school and program
  • Find out the summer workout schedule
  • Get ready for an experience of a lifetime

HELPFUL LINKS