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College-Swimming.com Articles & Advice

In any sport, the key to being recruited is being informed. By taking advantage articles provided by College-Swimming.com and beRecruited.com, you are already better prepared than your competitors – improving your chances of being recruited and earning a NCAA swimming scholarship. So read the below college recruiting articles (many of which have been internationally published both online and in print) and earn your scholarship today.

General Softball Recruiting Advice:
NCAA Swimming: Selecting a College & A Program

Other College Recruiting & Athletic Scholarship Articles from the beRecruited.com Network:
Junior Year & Earlier in High School
Senior Year in High School
The Big Trip: College Recruiting Trips
What College Coaches Want
Narrowing the List of Colleges
Marketing Yourself to College Recruiters
Choosing the Right College and University
The Lowdown on College Loans
6 Steps of Financial Aid
With Honors: AP & Honors Courses
Back to School


Selecting a College & Swim Program

The process of selecting a college is both challenging and consequential; and when forced to also consider swimming, the task becomes even more daunting. While attempting to find the ideal fit academically and athletically, it is necessary to set certain criteria for potential colleges and swimming programs. Perhaps overwhelmed by all the possibilities, high school swimmers must focus their college search by first assessing their abilities and desires. After reading this article, begin to formulate your very own college criteria and hopefully even find several matching colleges and/or universities.

College

• Academics/Reputation
  The most important aspect of a college is its academic program and philosophy. Students must find a college or university that best matches their academic abilities and goals. For instance, potential architects should seek colleges that provide an architectural program or the opportunity to explore this discipline. Many schools only offer a liberal arts education; thus, those pursuing unique degrees (like engineering) must find schools that cater to such interests. Colleges provide statistical profiles of current students and admissions criteria with which you can compare your GPA and SAT scores to assess compatibility.
• Size and Location
  Size and location are integral components of a school's character. State universities, for instance, tend to be large, while liberal arts colleges tend to be much smaller. Class sizes can range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of students. Often, smaller colleges offer a more intimate classroom setting and a lower teacher-to-student ratio. Classes at larger universities are frequently taught in a lecture style.

A school's location is as defining as its size. Many students attend in-state colleges while others travel across the country each semester. Decide where you are most comfortable geographically. Furthermore, the potential college student must choose either an urban, suburban, or rural setting.

Swimming

• Coaching
  Much of a team's success relies on its coaching staff, and because each staff is different, be sure that their philosophies are compatible with yours. Ask coaches to describe a typical practice and week. Meanwhile, try to assess each coach's style and personality. For instance, some teams have the same head coach for both the men's and women's teams; others have completely separate staffs. Be sure that you are comfortable around and with each coach. After all, you are commencing a four-year relationship.
• Program
  Each collegiate swimming program is markedly different. A program consists not only of swimming, but also of weight and dry land training. Some teams work exclusively with weights, yet others use various tools such as medicine balls, power racks, and stretch cords. Moreover, some programs completely separate men and women. Also, pay careful attention to a school's facilities. Are the pool and weight room adequate? Is there ample lane space? Is there a separate diving well? Be sure to comprehensively research each swimming program before assessing your compatibility.
• Scholarship/Division
  There are collegiate swimming programs of varied ability. By comparing best times, develop a list of colleges with programs that suit your skill level. Many swimmers are content to compete on the Division III level; others desire Division I competition. Whatever your ability may be, there is certainly a matching program. Remember though, only Division I and II schools may offer athletic scholarships. If college appears a financial burden or impossibility, contact programs that provide scholarships.

Junior Year & Earlier in High School
Senior Year in High School
The Big Trip: College Recruiting Trips
What College Coaches Want
Narrowing the List of Colleges
Marketing Yourself to College Recruiters
Choosing the Right College and University
The Lowdown on College Loans
6 Steps of Financial Aid
With Honors: AP & Honors Courses
Back to School