College Recruiting: How to Know If a School Is the Right Fit for You
Throughout the recruiting process, seeking input from club coaches, family members, and teammates is advised, but the choice regarding academics, athletics, and location is ultimately yours to make.
Luckily, with hundreds of schools offering swim and dive programs, every school has something different to offer. At the beginning of the recruiting process, it’s beneficial to create a list of your priorities and non-negotiables. That way, you’ll stay grounded in what matters most to you, and the gear, shiny equipment, or new facilities won’t cloud your judgment.
Having realistic expectations and an understanding of what each division, conference, and school demands will help ease the decision-making process and narrow down your options.
Some Questions To Ask Yourself
- Do you want to compete at the SEC or ACC level and aim to qualify for the NCAA Division I Championship?
- Do you want to focus on academics and graduate early?
- Does being part of Greek life or another extracurricular activity sound ideal? These are all factors to weigh at the start of the recruiting process.
The level at which you want to compete can be a helpful starting point. With three NCAA divisions and many conferences within each, some schools are far more competitive than others.
Where You Rank Within a Team
Some swimmers thrive in highly competitive environments, even if they aren’t traveling or scoring at the championship level. Being part of a program that wins conference or national titles can bring a sense of pride and fulfillment. These swimmers value being surrounded by excellence and contributing in whatever role they can.
On the other hand, some swimmers find it unfulfilling to be part of a team if they’re not actively contributing. For these athletes, making the travel roster, scoring points, and hitting personal goals matter more than being part of a winning program.
Deciding where you want to rank within a team is a key part of the process. If you want to be a standout swimmer right away, make an impact, and score at conference meets, it helps to compare your times with current swimmers on the roster. Checking College Swimming and seeing how many athletes are returning will help you identify where you might fall in the team ranks.
Relays
If being part of a competitive relay is a priority, check how the team placed at the last conference championship. You’ll want to find a program with at least three swimmers whose times are close to or faster than yours. That ensures strong training partners and a shot at building a relay that can compete at a high level.
If you’re looking to be the fastest swimmer on your team, there are some trade-offs. Building a competitive relay may be harder, and it may be frustrating to have few teammates who can push you in practice. Additionally, qualifying alone for Nationals is a very different experience than being part of a team that brings 20 or more athletes. Some enjoy leading the group and thrive in that environment, while others do not. It’s all about preference.
Team Environment
If team culture is most important to you, make sure you talk to current team members and coaches. Ask how conflicts are handled, how the men’s and women’s teams interact, and trust your instincts during your visit.
Some teams are separate, with men and women having completely different training schedules. Others train and lift together. For some athletes, this makes a big difference. For others, it doesn’t matter much at all.
Academics and Schedule
If academics are a top priority, know that balancing them with a highly competitive team demands discipline and serious time management. In contrast, some schools offer rigorous academics with less emphasis on athletics and more flexible training schedules.
Generally, Division I schools will have the most intense training requirements, with more hours spent in the pool and the weight room. Division II and III schools tend to have fewer required sessions, more free time in the offseason, and greater flexibility.
If the social aspect is important to you, look for a school where the swim schedule allows for more balance. Being involved in clubs, Greek life, or other communities can be difficult at a Division I school, but it may be possible at a Division II or III school.
The Final Decision
At the end of the day, you are the one attending the school. Not your club coach, not your friends, and not your parents. Your specific goals, values, and interests are unique to you. While new facilities and equipment can be exciting, they won’t make up for poor coaching, a toxic team culture, or an environment that doesn’t support your success.
Take the time to explore your options and choose the school that will allow you to grow in and out of the pool.
