College Swimming Information Page
NCAA Division 1
Division 2
Division 3
NAIA
NJCAA
Which one is for you?
Here is a helpful College Swimming Timeline for our swimmers heading into high school that would like to compete competitively in college from our friends at ncsasports.org
Freshmen Year
- 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/Tips to Remember:
- 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
Sophomore Year
- 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
Junior Year
- 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
Senior Year
- 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 for Prospective College Swimmers
