Generally, what do I need to know to maximize the possibility of a college swimming scholarship?

• Ask your coach for help with this process. Often, there may be personal or professional connections that may be used to advantage. Also, your coach can be a resource for letters of recommendation and direct communication with college-level coaches.
• Target schools with Division 1 swimming programs, if your swimmer qualifies for that level of competition, since scholarships are often associated with Division 1 teams.
• Contact college swim coaches and give them information about your swimmer’s goals and what they want to do.
• Have your swimmer train with other swimmers of similar ability, and strive to put in the same amount of yardage per week as do swimmers of other clubs. Beginning in their junior high school year, swimmers should do non-stop 1600’s and continue that regimen until they enter college. As always, they should set goals with their coaches, track their yardage, and focus on technique.
• A swimmer should focus on winter indoor championships and competing in two Zone competitions prior to college.
• College coaches primarily look at short course times and do not focus on long course times. To stand out from the crowd, a swimmer needs to make their mark with short course times.