How Do Swimmers Get Recruited for College? A Complete Guide to the College Swim Recruitment Process

For many competitive swimmers, the dream of continuing their sport at the collegiate level is both exciting and daunting. College swimming recruitment can seem like a complex maze of time standards, outreach, and eligibility requirements. Whether you’re an athlete or a parent trying to understand the process, this guide breaks down exactly how swimmers get recruited for college.

NOTE: While it can be done without assistance, many find the recruiting process overwhelming and time consuming and would like help navigating the journey.  College Swimming Consulting can help make the process smooth and easy.  Visit collegeswimmingconsulting.com for more information!

Understanding College Swimming Divisions

Before diving into the recruitment process, it’s essential to understand the different collegiate athletic divisions:

• NCAA Division I: Highly competitive programs, often with scholarship opportunities. These schools have strict recruiting timelines and standards.

• NCAA Division II: Still competitive but slightly less intense than Division I. Scholarships are available but may be smaller.

• NCAA Division III: These schools don’t offer athletic scholarships, but athletes can receive merit-based aid. The focus here is more balanced between academics and athletics.

• NAIA and NJCAA: These are smaller programs or junior colleges with more flexible recruiting processes. NAIA schools do offer scholarships and can be a great stepping stone.

Each level has different athletic and academic expectations, so understanding where you fit is the first step.

Step 1: Know the Time Standards

In swimming, recruitment is highly data-driven. Coaches look at your personal best times in key events and compare them to current team members and conference rankings. Websites like Swimcloud.com are invaluable for this.

Tips:

• Look at the swim times of current freshmen on a team to gauge where you stand.

• Aim for times that are competitive in dual meets, invitationals, and conference championships.

Step 2: Build a List of Target Schools

Every swimmer should create a list of 20–30 schools, broken into three tiers:

• Dream schools: Competitive programs where your times are slightly below the average.

• Target schools: Your times match well with the current team.

• Safety schools: Programs where you exceed the current athletes’ performance.

This ensures a balanced and strategic approach to the process.

Step 3: Start Early and Understand Recruiting Timelines

Recruiting for swimming can start as early as sophomore year in high school. NCAA rules govern when and how coaches can contact swimmers.

• June 15 after sophomore year: DI and DII coaches can begin contacting athletes directly.

• Unofficial visits: You can visit campuses at any time at your own expense.

• Official visits: Starting August 1 before your junior year, you can take school-funded visits.

Starting early gives you more time to develop relationships with coaches and improve your times.

Step 4: Email Coaches Directly

College coaches receive hundreds of emails. Make yours stand out with a concise and personalized message.

Email Template:

Subject: [First Name Last Name, Grad Year] - Interest in [School] Swim Program

Dear Coach [Last Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I’m a [graduation year] swimmer from [High School/Club Team] specializing in [events]. I’m very interested in [School Name] because of its strong academics and swim program.

My best times are:

• 100 Freestyle: 53.20

• 200 Freestyle: 1:55.00

I have a [GPA], and I’m taking the [SAT/ACT] in [month]. You can view my Swimcloud profile here: [link]. I’d love the opportunity to speak with you about your program and how I could contribute.

Thank you for your time.

Best,[Your Name]

Follow up if you don’t get a response in 1–2 weeks, especially if you’ve recently improved your times.

Step 5: Take Your Official and Unofficial Visits

These visits are your chance to experience campus life, meet the team, and get a feel for the coaching staff. Official Visits are on specific week-ends that recruits are invited to.  

During a visit:

• Ask team members about their experience

• Observe a practice session

• Attend a class or meet with an academic advisor

• Explore the dorms, dining halls, and other facilities

Make sure the school fits your needs academically, socially, and athletically.

Step 6: Understand Scholarships and Offers

Not all recruited swimmers receive athletic scholarships, especially at Division III schools where athletic aid isn’t permitted. That said, there are other forms of financial assistance:

• Academic scholarships

• Merit-based aid

• Need-based financial aid

Some schools offer "stacked aid," where you can combine different sources of funding.

A coach’s offer may include:

• Roster spot (with or without scholarship)

• Walk-on status (spot on the team but no financial aid)

• Full or partial athletic scholarship

Always get offers in writing and review them with a parent or advisor.

Step 7: Commit and Sign

When you’ve made your decision, you’ll notify the coach and formally commit to the program. If you're receiving a scholarship at a DI or DII school, you'll likely sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) during the official signing period.

Even if you're not signing an NLI (such as for DIII), be clear and professional in your communication.

Sample commitment email:

Dear Coach [Name],

Thank you so much for the opportunity to join your swim program. After careful consideration, I’m excited to verbally commit to [University Name] to continue my academic and athletic career. I’m grateful for your support and look forward to becoming a part of the team.

Best regards,[Your Name]

Final Tips for Swimmers and Families

• Keep improving: Coaches recruit based on potential. Big time drops, especially junior year, can open new doors.

• Be proactive: Don’t wait for coaches to find you—initiate contact and build relationships.

• Stay organized: Track schools, contact info, visits, and deadlines.

• Prioritize academics: Eligibility depends on meeting academic benchmarks, and most swimmers won’t go pro—education matters.

Conclusion

Getting recruited for college swimming takes dedication, planning, and clear communication. From researching programs and sending emails to taking visits and signing commitments, each step is a chance to shape your future. Whether you're aiming for a powerhouse DI team or a strong academic DIII school with a great swim culture, the right fit is out there.

With persistence and a positive attitude, the journey from high school swimmer to college athlete is absolutely within reach. The key factor is finding the colleges where you fit best academically and athletically.  Need help finding those colleges?  Contact https://www.collegeswimmingconsulting.com/ to get your customized list of best-fit colleges!