Hey all, I'm on my high school's swim team and I'm looking at D1 colleges for swimming. Can anyone chime in on which colleges are recognized for their swimming programs? Does anyone have experience with the recruitment process? Thanks!
Sure, happy to help! Several Division I NCAA schools are known for their strong swimming programs. Let's start with Stanford University, which is traditionally a powerhouse for both their men's and women's swimming teams. The University of California, Berkeley or simply Cal, is another strong swimming school, with a world-class aquatics program. Next, University of Texas at Austin often has a very competitive team. On the East coast, University of Michigan and University of Florida stand out for their exceptional swimming programs. It's worth noting that being a strong swimming program often aligns with strong overall athletic programs.
As for the recruitment process, it typically starts early. Coaches may start to notice you as you start achieving national ranking times, probably around your sophomore year of high school. You'll want to reach out to college coaches starting in your junior year, sending them your times and expressing interest in their program. Remember, however, that coaches cannot directly reach out to you until August 1st going into your senior year due to NCAA regulations.
Visiting campuses and attending camps can also be beneficial as they can provide an opportunity to meet the coaches and the team personally. Don't forget to consider the academic aspect of the colleges you're interested in, as well as how well you fit with the team culture.
Lastly, while this one might be obvious, always keep working hard on your times. In college swimming, the intervals between good and great can be fractions of a second!
Keep in mind, this is a generalized process and may vary from one school to another. The recruitment process is often very personalized and symbiotic—it's equally about the college choosing you and you choosing the college. Good luck!
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