The school year is quickly coming to an end, and for many swimmers that means summer training, vacations, championship season, and for some of our older athletes, thinking seriously about college swimming opportunities.

For years, many swimmers and parents have viewed the dream as earning a full ride scholarship to a major Division I program like Texas, Stanford, Cal, Florida, or other nationally recognized schools. The reality is those opportunities are extremely competitive and usually reserved for national level athletes who can immediately impact a program at the NCAA Championship level.

But here’s the good news. There are so many opportunities to continue swimming in college beyond just the top powerhouse programs.

One thing I firmly believe is this:

There is a place in college swimming for almost every athlete who truly wants it.

Whether that is Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, or Junior College swimming, athletes can continue their careers while earning an education, growing as people, and being part of a team environment that can shape the rest of their lives.

And first and foremost, college is about getting an education.

Yes, go after the scholarship opportunities. They absolutely matter and can significantly help families financially. But finding the right fit academically, socially, and athletically is just as important as the level of the program itself. And you have a far better chance earning an academic scholarship vs an athletic one.

Over the years as a head coach, I’ve been fortunate to help guide many swimmers through the college recruiting process. I’ve coached athletes who have gone on to swim for Division I Top 10 programs and earn All American honors. I’ve also had swimmers continue successful careers at Division II, Division III, NAIA, and Junior College programs.

And honestly, success looks different for every swimmer.

One thing that has changed a lot over the years is the level of swimming across all divisions. There are incredibly fast swimmers at the Division II, Division III, NAIA, and Junior College levels. Some Division III national level swims are as competitive as many Division I conference championship finals. Because of that, families should never overlook opportunities simply because of the division label attached to the school.

Finding the right fit academically, socially, financially, and athletically is what matters most. For many swimmers, the best overall college experience may actually come from a program outside the traditional powerhouse Division I schools.

For some athletes, success means competing at the NCAA Division I level. For others, it means finding a smaller school where they can contribute immediately, balance academics and athletics well, and enjoy the full college experience.

One of my favorite parts about coaching has always been helping athletes navigate that journey. Sitting down together, discussing goals, evaluating programs, talking honestly about fit, making phone calls to college coaches, helping swimmers understand the recruiting process, and preparing them for what comes next.

Over time, many college coaches began trusting the athletes coming from our programs because they knew they were prepared for the next level. They knew our swimmers were team driven, accountable, coachable, hardworking, and still developing. They understood these athletes were capable of lasting all four years at the college level and continuing to grow both in and out of the pool.

That matters.

College coaches are not only recruiting times. They are recruiting people, teammates, work ethic, attitude, and long-term potential.

For swimmers hoping to continue to the collegiate level, versatility is also important. Coaches love athletes who can contribute in multiple events and continue improving over time. Strong academics matter too. The ability to balance school, training, and responsibility often says just as much about a swimmer as their race results.

And for parents, remember that the recruiting process is a journey too. Every swimmer develops differently and on a different timeline. Some athletes are heavily recruited early, while others continue improving later in high school and find opportunities later in the process.

No matter where a swimmer lands, continuing the sport at the collegiate level can be an incredible experience.

Swimming teaches discipline, accountability, teamwork, resilience, time management, and independence. Those qualities last long after competitive swimming is over.

As coaches, we’re always happy to help guide families through the process and answer questions along the way. The journey to college swimming can sometimes feel overwhelming, but there truly are more opportunities out there than many people realize.

And for those younger swimmers just getting started, keep dreaming big. The journey begins one practice, one meet, and one step at a time.

If you have questions, just ask Coach Jay or me. We are here to see each swimmer succeed.