What Do You Want Out of Your Future in Swimming?

Before diving into the recruiting process, it’s important to ask yourself one key question: What do I really want out of my future in swimming? Swimming at the collegiate level is an incredible experience, but it’s also a big commitment. Whether you’re aiming to compete at the highest level or just want to continue your passion for the sport while getting a great education, defining your goals early can help you make decisions that align with your vision for the future.

Here are a few things to consider as you reflect on your swimming journey:

Performance Goals: Do you want to continue competing at the national or NCAA level, or are you looking for a school where you can continue to develop your skills without the pressure of elite competition?

Academic Balance: How important is the academic aspect? Are you looking for a school with strong academic programs that will help you pursue a career outside of swimming, or is your focus on finding a college that balances academics with athletic success?

Team Environment: What kind of team culture are you looking for? Do you want to be part of a highly competitive, intense program, or are you looking for a supportive, more laid-back team atmosphere?

Personal Growth: Swimming can teach you more than just how to race it can shape your discipline, leadership skills, and mental toughness. What do you want swimming to do for you, beyond the physical training?

Understanding NCAA Divisions: D1 vs D2 vs D3 in College Swimming

When considering college swimming, the differences between NCAA Division I, II, and III programs go far beyond the level of competition. Each division carries its own expectations, culture, and opportunities—and understanding these differences is critical for making the right choice. Below is a breakdown of what each division typically looks like, including how scholarships, roster spots, and training demands come into play.

Division I: The Pinnacle of NCAA Competition

Division I swimming represents the highest level of collegiate competition in the NCAA. These programs are intense, structured, and performance-driven, often recruiting athletes with Junior Nationals, U.S. Open, or even Olympic Trial cuts. The time commitment is significant—20+ hours per week is common during the season, with practices, lifts, team meetings, and travel forming a near year-round schedule.

Scholarships at the Division I level are available but limited. Men’s programs can offer up to 9.9 scholarships, while women’s programs can offer up to 14. However, these are equivalency scholarships, which means the funds are typically divided among multiple athletes so very few swimmers are on “full rides.” Roster cuts are also more common at this level, particularly at powerhouse programs. It’s not unusual for walk-ons or even lightly recruited athletes to be redshirted or cut if they can’t meet performance standards or team needs. In D1, you’re not just joining a team, you’re entering a high-performance environment where expectations are sky high.

Division II: Competitive and Balanced

Division II offers a compelling blend of strong competition and a more balanced student-athlete lifestyle. While D2 programs are still highly competitive, many swimmers post times that would be nationally ranked in D1 they often allow for a bit more academic flexibility and personal time. Training intensity is still high, but the time commitment may hover slightly lower than D1, offering a bit more breathing room for academics, social life, or off-season recovery.

D2 schools can award up to 8.1 scholarships per team (both men’s and women’s), and like D1, these are equivalency-based. This means coaches can split scholarships to help more swimmers afford school, but again, full scholarships are rare. Roster cuts in D2 are less frequent than in D1 but still possible depending on team size, coaching style, and budget. Overall, D2 is a great option for swimmers who still want to race at a high level without giving up as much of the college experience outside of the pool.

Division III: Academics First, Still Very Competitive

Division III operates under a fundamentally different philosophy: student-athletes are students first. D3 programs do not offer athletic scholarships of any kind, which shifts the recruiting process to emphasize academics, leadership, and long-term fit. But don’t mistake that for low-level swimming top D3 programs like Emory, Kenyon, Johns Hopkins, and MIT regularly produce swimmers who rival D1 times and thrive on national podiums.

The training and competition schedules in D3 are generally more flexible. Athletes may train 10-20 hours a week, and off-season requirements are usually lighter than in higher divisions. This makes D3 ideal for students who want to pursue challenging academic tracks, internships, or extracurriculars while continuing to swim competitively. Coaches still expect commitment, consistency, and improvement. For swimmers who love the sport but want a more holistic college experience, D3 can offer the best of both worlds.

School Identification: How to Find the Right College Swimming Program

Finding the right school isn’t just about where you can swim – it’s about where you’ll succeed, grow, and enjoy your college experience. With hundreds of programs across Divisions I, II, and III, identifying the right fit means evaluating a mix of athletic goals, academic opportunities, financial realities, and team culture. Below is a detailed breakdown to guide you step by step.

1. Academic Fit: Can You Succeed in the Classroom?

Before anything else, make sure the school is a good match for your academic goals and learning style.

Does it offer your intended major?

Don’t compromise your career goals for swimming alone. If you’re interested in engineering, nursing, or pre-med, for example, make sure those programs are strong and well-supported.

What’s the academic rigor like?

A highly competitive D1 program at a rigorous academic school (like Stanford, Duke, or Michigan) will require excellent time management. Ask about average class sizes, access to professors, and tutoring services.

Are there academic resources for athletes?

Look for athlete-specific advising, tutoring, study halls, or mentorship programs. Strong programs often provide structured academic support, especially during travel seasons.

2. Swimming Fit: Can You Compete and Improve There?

It’s important to find a program where your swimming development continues—and where your times actually matter to the team.

How do your times compare?

Look at meet results from the team’s conference championship and dual meets. Would you score points? Make the travel team? If your times fall outside of the scoring range, your path might be as a walk-on or development swimmer.

What’s the training style and philosophy?

Some coaches emphasize volume and yardage; others focus on race pace and technique. Ask current swimmers what a typical week looks like. Consider whether the structure and intensity match your needs.

What’s the program’s trajectory?

Is the team improving year-over-year? Are swimmers dropping time consistently? A program that’s on the rise might offer you more opportunity to make an impact.

3. Roster Fit: Where Do You Fit on the Team?

Understanding the current team makeup can tell you a lot about your role, opportunity, and job security as a swimmer.

What’s the size of the roster?

Some programs carry 15–20 athletes, others carry 40+. Ask how many swimmers actually travel and compete at championship meets. A large roster doesn’t always mean opportunity.

Are your events already stacked?

If your best events are already filled by seniors, that may open a window for you to develop. If they’re filled by freshmen and sophomores with better times, your path to scoring could be limited.

How do roster cuts work?

Especially in D1, roster spots aren’t always guaranteed for four years. Some programs reevaluate annually based on performance. Ask directly: “Is my spot guaranteed? What are your expectations for improvement?”

4. Scholarship and Financial Fit: Can You Afford It?

This is where families often overestimate or misunderstand what “swimming in college” really covers.

What’s the scholarship situation?

D1 men’s teams have 9.9 scholarships and women’s teams have 14 – but those are often split among 20+ swimmers. D2 teams offer up to 8.1. D3 schools don’t offer athletic money, but often have strong academic or merit-based aid.

Are you being recruited as a scholarship or walk-on athlete?

Ask clearly: “Is there athletic aid available for me?” Coaches may say you’re a ‘great fit,’ but that doesn’t always come with money.

What other aid is available?

Ask about academic scholarships, need-based aid, and grants. D3 and Ivy League schools can often match or beat scholarship offers through academic aid and generous financial packages – especially if you’re a strong student.

What’s the total cost of attendance?

Don’t look at tuition alone. Consider room & board, travel, books, and other expenses. A “partial” scholarship at a $70K/year private school may be more expensive than full tuition at an in-state public university.

5. Personal and Social Fit: Will You Be Happy There?

Swimming is just one part of your college experience. Make sure the rest of your life on campus fits your goals, personality, and mental health.

Do you like the size and setting?

Big public university or small liberal arts college? Urban, suburban, or rural? Think about where you’ll be most comfortable and motivated.

What’s the campus culture like?

Are students collaborative or competitive? Is the student body diverse? Are there clubs, leadership roles, or internships you’re excited about?

What is the team culture and vibe?

Talk to current swimmers—preferably outside of a coach-led setting. Are they enjoying the experience? How do they describe the team’s bond, leadership, and daily attitude?

How’s the coach-athlete relationship?

A coach can make or break your experience. Pay attention to how they communicate. Are they honest? Supportive? Transactional? Ask yourself: “Would I want to swim for this person when things get tough?”

Bonus Tip: Create a School Matrix (tools like swimcloud can be very helpful for this)

As you research schools, create a spreadsheet or document comparing:

Event times vs. team times

Scholarship potential

Academic majors

Location

Roster size and depth

Travel team standards

Campus visit impressions

Organize schools into three tiers:

Reach schools: You’re close to their level, but would need a time drop or extra development.

Target/match schools: Your current times line up with the team’s contributors.

Safety schools: Your times would likely earn a guaranteed spot and early scoring role.