Racing for Gold: Tips and Tricks for the College Swimming Recruiting Process
The nerves wash over you, as you look upon an intimidating field of competitors. This event is one that will change your entire future, with turns and difficult stretches that will surely test you. But with a strong finish, you could have the opportunity of a lifetime. For many, you thought about a big swim meet, celebrating a huge time drop or a heat winner. But the moment I was referring to haunts underclassmen all across the country: the college swimming recruiting process.
From managing performance in the pool, to keeping up with schoolwork, to just finding the right fit for the next four years, the recruiting process can be a grind. I surveyed student-athletes across the country to determine the best way to approach the process, with one consistent theme emerging: Thinking of the process just like an exciting race makes everything easier, making for four life-changing years of success.
Starting the Recruiting Race
The most important part of many races can often be the start. Whether it’s getting off to a head start in a sprint, or setting the pace in a longer distance event, the beginning of the race always sets the tone for the end goal. The recruiting process can be the same, with how you begin your selection process being essential to the result you’re looking for. The first step in your journey should always be to consult with those closest to you on the factors which matter most to you in your college search. The athletes I spoke to had these conversations early and often, describing meeting with coaches, parents, and even teammates “as early as possible” to gauge what factors to prioritize in a school.
Three factors stood out as key to the student-athletes’ initial selections, the first being academics, with the end goal generally being a four-year degree to transition into the working world. Student-athletes pointed to a variety of pieces, such as a “low student to professior ratio,” “academic prestige,” and programs which fit their major, as key variables in initially narrowing down their school of choice. The biggest takeaway here was the importance of knowing oneself as a student. Even students unsure of their future career pointed to this as key. Looking for environments with teaching styles and academic settings in which you would succeed is incredibly important to the search, allowing you to thrive in your pursuit of your next chapter.
The second-most mentioned factor was – naturally – swimming itself, ensuring you can continue to improve and grow in your athletic pursuits. Many often assume researching the fastest school a swimmer could possibly attend leads to the best opportunity. But the student-athletes surveyed didn’t always point to competing at the fastest school possible. Some sought to “be one of the top swimmers in their event,” while others “come in the middle of the pack in their top two events,” with all seeking to contribute right away. The decision comes down to personal preference, with many different philosophies. Some, however, pointed to coaches’ aptitude today to often recruit “swimmers who can place in their top two events within the conference.” This could be a good starting point to begin your search, looking for a program in which you could realistically contribute as you narrow down your choices.
The third-most mentioned factor in the student athletes’ choices, but perhaps most important, was how they would fit socially. A student-athlete’s ability to enjoy their college experience can make the next four years, creating an environment for success. Student-athletes emphasized many different priorities in their responses. Some sought small schools, others big schools, and some sought schools with a certain level of diversity. However, all emphasized comfort socially as essential toward their choice. Through finding the right setting for themselves, the student-athletes were able to set up the top options for their search.
Navigating the Middle Stretch
As endurance starts to wear down, the middle of any swimming race can be the most difficult leg. These laps often define one’s training throughout the season, as limits are pushed with every stroke. The communication process with schools of interest represents this middle stretch. Here, one can gauge their top choice from prospective programs, through connecting with coaches and staff. The connection created allows for a true feel for how the program is run. Almost all of the student-athletes pointed to consistent communication with coaches as an important step. Email updates, phone calls, and exchanges of race videos were all seen as beneficial. Giving and collecting insight allows coaches to get to know the swimmer on a personal level. From here the staff can see if they’d be a good culture fit for the program.
Many student-athletes also pointed to their usage of the “SwimCloud” service during the in-season stretch of the process. Swimmers use the platform to “compare times,” continuing to track where they fit among a school’s top swimmers. The service ensures the swimmer still fits the school competitively, as times continue to improve during the season. Working through the hardest stretch of the recruiting process, the rewards can begin to pay off.
Finishing Strong
The finish of a race can make or break everything. Many a swimmer have dominated for the majority of a race, only to be dramatically overtaken at the end. The final steps of the recruiting process are, therefore, crucial, sealing the deal on the next chapter of your life. After communicating with the coach, planning for a visit always proves to be a great final step. Visits, whether official or unofficial, give you “the best image of how you’d fit into the college and community.” The opportunity to explore the campus, meet the team, and set yourself in the environment gives you a defining look at the school. Through getting a strong picture of your future home, it’s easy to race to the finish line, now with a complete view of the program and how you fit within it.
College recruiting can be a long and strenuous process. The Student-athletes emphasized patience, as the ups and downs of a race can also be seen during the recruiting process. By working through these steps, a gold medal finish is in sight: four years you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Great work Adam!
Great job Adam you write good articles