College Information

Interested in Swimming in College? Splash magazine had an article which pointed out that serious swimmers usually have two dreams: to swim in the Olympics and to swim in college.  The first dream will come true for two out of every 10,000 swimmers in members of USA Swimming.  The second can true for 100% of all members of USA Swimming.  The key is finding a program that’s right for you, no matter what your ability.   Not everyone will be able to swim for a NCAA Division I powerhouse like Auburn or Texas , but there’s no shame in swimming for a smaller Division I, II, III , or NAIA school.  If you find one where your teammates share similar values and goals, one that will foster your growth as a student athlete, your experience will be a rewarding one.  

There is often a misconception in the college search process that if you are not recruited or have not been offered a scholarship you must not be very good. That view is completely false. The fact is that most colleges just do not have the finances available to offer every good swimmer a scholarship. Another fact is that most colleges do not find out a student-athlete is interested in their program until that student has made "First Contact."

Many families assume that colleges are going to call them first. The reality is that most collegiate swimming programs do not have the manpower to search for athletes. Most coaches rely on meet results from large meets such as Sectionals or High School State, prospective student questionnaires, and through professional recruiters (not sports agents) whom a student-athletes pay a fee to have them send information to schools about them.

With the scholarship limits that are imposed by the NCAA, most college coaches are going to be looking at a students academic ability. The vast majority of swimming student athletes receive financial aid through academic related scholarships, grants and student loans, not through athletic scholarships.

Know thyself
 

How do I go about choosing a college that’s right for me?

List of College Swim Teams

College Recruiting Timeline

College Recruiting Links 
College Swimming 101
NCAA Prospective Student Athlete - Eligibility Center 
Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete - 2008/09 

General Collegiate Swimming Information
NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Organization
NAIA - National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
NJCAA - National Junior College Athletic Association
CollegeSwimming.com

General College, Scholarship, and Financial Aid Information
beRecruited
College MatchMaker
FinAid! - Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans
Savingforcollege.com - Funding College and 529 Plans
CollegeApps.com - Get In To The College of Your Choice
FastWeb - Scholarships, Financial Aid and Colleges
GoCollege
Scholarship Resource Network Express
Degree Directory - Colleges, Universities, Career Schools and Online Degree Programs
Vault Education Center
National Association for College Admission Counseling
National Association of Higher Education Loan Programs
CampusTours - Virtual College Tours
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
US Department of Education
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

ACT, SAT, PSAT National Merit Scholar Testing
College Board - SAT Registration, College Admissions, Scholarships
ACT - Student Site for ACT Test

Achievement Testing Study and Preparation Links
ACT - Student Site for ACT Test
4Tests - Free Online Practice Exams
Number2 - Free Online Test Prep
Barron’s Test Prep
College Power Prep
Kaplan Test Prep
Test Prep Review
Princeton Review
How to Study - Study Skills/


Miscellaneous Information

Guide to Finding the College That Fits
How I Did on the SAT
Who Needs Harvard?
Pre-Pay Your Way to College
Free Tuition for Smart Kids

College Search Sites
Colleges of Distinction
Just Colleges
My College Guide
XAP Student Center

Links courtesy of New Wave Swim Team