Hey guys, I'm a junior who’s part of my high school’s swim team. I’ve heard that certain colleges are easier to join the swim team than others and I’d love to continue swimming in college. Anyone has any tips or experiences they could share?
Absolutely, there's quite a bit to consider when looking at college swimming opportunities. Here are a few pointers:
Firstly, there are various levels at which you can participate in swimming in college. These range from NCAA Division I, II, III to club sports and intramural teams. Division I is the most competitive, whereas entailing a major time commitment comparable to a part-time job.
Some colleges may have tryouts for walk-on positions in Division I, or you might consider Division II or III schools, where the time commitment may be less strenuous and the competition might be slightly less intense. Many Division II and III schools are very competitive but could also be more attainable depending on your times.
If competing at a higher level is less of a priority for you, club and intramural sports can be a great way to continue swimming. They're usually more about participation and passion for the sport and less about competitive times.
In any case, I'd say the first step would be to realistically evaluate your swimming skills. Are you competitive at a state level or more of a middle-of-the-pack swimmer? One way you could do this is by looking at the swim team’s times for your favorite events at colleges you are interested in and comparing them to your personal bests.
Additionally, don’t forget to look at the academic side of these colleges too. It can be easy to get caught up in the athletic opportunities, but remember, you're there to get an education first and foremost.
Hope these tips helpful- good luck with your search!
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