Swimming & Diving Recruitment

If you’re an aspiring swimmer & diver dreaming of studying and competing in the USA, get started early to ensure you earn your place.

Your Guide to a Swimming & Diving Scholarship in the USA

A swimming/diving scholarship in the USA offers financial aid to student-athletes based on their performances and academic achievements. Scholarships vary from partial to full-ride, covering tuition, accommodation, and other expenses. They're offered by NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA institutions, each with specific eligibility requirements.
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Research Programs
Look for colleges with swimming programs that align with your academic goals and swimming specialty. Explore Division I, II, and III schools, as well as NAIA options. Create a shortlist of schools that offer scholarships and fit your preferences in terms of training facilities, coaching staff, and academic programs.
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Create an Athlete Profile
Include your best times, meet results, and progression data. Document your performances with race footage and training videos that demonstrate your technical abilities, racing strategy, and versatility across events.
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Connect with Coaches
Email college coaches with your athlete profile, attend tournaments where college coaches will be present, and participate in recruitment events. Personalize your communication to each coach, emphasizing why their program is a great fit for you. Recruitment begins 2-3 years before college starts
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Maintain Academic Excellence
Scholarships often require a minimum GPA and standardized test scores (e.g., SAT/ACT). Balancing academics and athletics shows commitment and discipline, which are qualities coaches value.

Top Swimming & Diving Programs

Stanford University

Historic program with 40+ NCAA team titles and a legacy of producing Olympians. Features the expansive Avery Aquatic Center, which includes four pools and comprehensive training facilities. Their integrated approach combines elite athletics with top-tier academics, maintaining one of the highest student-athlete graduation rates in Division I swimming. Notable alumna Katie Ledecky, one of the most decorated swimmers in history, has won seven Olympic gold medals and holds multiple world records in freestyle events.

University of California, Berkeley

Dominant program with 10+ national championships and an innovative approach to training. Features the Spieker Aquatics Complex and exceptional coaching staff under Dave Durden. Known for their scientific approach to swimming, incorporating advanced biomechanics and data analysis into training. The program emphasizes both individual and team success, regularly producing NCAA champions and Olympians. Notable alumnus Nathan Adrian, an eight-time Olympic medalist, exemplifies Cal's tradition of excellence in sprint freestyle events.

Fresno Pacific University

Rising NAIA power with a strong focus on international athlete development. Features the recently renovated Sunnyside Aquatics Complex, which includes a 50-meter pool and dedicated training facilities. The program has produced numerous NAIA champions and record holders while maintaining high academic standards. Their unique approach to athlete development includes personalized training plans and extensive academic support services. Notable alumnus Peter Firmansyah set multiple NAIA records.

University of Texas

Powerhouse program with multiple NCAA championships under legendary coach Eddie Reese. Features world-class facilities including the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, with its 50-meter competition pool and separate diving well. Known for sprint and middle-distance excellence and innovative training methods. The program's strength and conditioning facilities are among the best in collegiate swimming. Notable alumnus Joseph Schooling made history by winning Singapore's first Olympic gold medal in the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympics, defeating Michael Phelps in the process.

Swimming Programs in Action: Jessica's Story

Jessica's journey from Hong Kong to Indiana University-Bloomington's prestigious swimming program demonstrates how international student-athletes can successfully navigate the recruitment process to join a top Division I program.
Program Development

Jessica's path to Indiana University began with careful program evaluation:
She wanted to complement both her swimming strengths and academic goals. Indiana University stood out for its world-class facilities, including the historic Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center, and its strong tradition of developing international talent. Working with her Crimson team, Jessica created a comprehensive profile that showcased not only her competitive times but also her potential for development within IU's renowned program.

Academic Integration

Academics were as important as swimming to Jessica:
Understanding the transition from Hong Kong's education system to an American university was crucial in Jessica's journey. She worked diligently to balance her rigorous training schedule with academic preparation, including SAT studies and maintaining strong grades. Indiana University's strong academic support system for student-athletes, particularly its resources for international students, played a key role in her decision. The university's academic reputation and diverse international community offered the perfect environment for her to thrive both in and out of the pool.

Coach Connection

Building strong relationships with college coaches
The connection with Indiana University's coaching staff was instrumental in Jessica's recruitment. Through virtual meetings and detailed correspondence, she developed a strong relationship with the coaches who recognized her potential to contribute to the team's success. Her times in Hong Kong competitions translated well to the NCAA format, and the coaches presented a clear vision for her role on the team. The program's history of success with international athletes, particularly in developing Olympic-level talent, aligned perfectly with Jessica's long-term swimming goals.

Jessica came to Crimson Athletics with ambitions of moving from Hong Kong to the US as a swimmer. With the help of our strategists, she happily found a spot on the Indiana University swim team.

Strategists

Meet our Swimming and Diving Strategists

Our team includes elite athletes and former coaches with careers in soccer, tennis, golf, track & field/XC, swimming & diving, basketball, volleyball, water polo, rowing, baseball, triathlon, and more.
Swimming and Diving
Sam Teller
DIV 1 at UVA & Pro Triathlete (USA)
FAQ

Still Have a Question?

Our strategists have carefully answered some of the most common questions that they receive from their student athletes, read on to hear more about your sport.
What time standards do I need to be recruited?

Standards vary by division and event. Here are example Division I benchmarks for two events: Men's Events: 50 Free: 20.5-21.2 1000 Free: 9:10-9:20 Women's Events: 50 Free: 23.0-23.8 1000 Free: 9:50-10:05 Note: NAIA and Division II programs often accept times 2-3% slower than these standards. Times for other events follow similar competitive progressions.

How does diving recruitment differ from swimming?

Diving recruitment has some unique aspects: Video is crucial: coaches need multiple angles (front, side, back) of each dive Dry-land capabilities are heavily evaluated (gymnastics/acrobatic background is a plus) Programs often have separate diving coaches with specific evaluation criteria Fewer scholarship spots are typically available (most programs allocate 1-2 diving scholarships) Many programs look for divers who can compete in both springboard and platform events to maximize scoring potential at championship meets# Swimming and Diving Recruitment

Can international athletes get recruited?

Yes, with these requirements: NCAA Eligibility Center registration Academic records evaluation English proficiency tests (TOEFL/IELTS) Times converted from long course to short course yards Competition results from sanctioned meets Valid student visa

What are the key requirements for diving recruitment?

For springboard diving, Division I programs typically look for: Consistent DD (Degree of Difficulty) of 2.8+ on 1-meter board Competition score average of 280+ for 6-dive list or 450+ for 11-dive list Mastery of fundamental dives in all categories (forward, back, reverse, inward, twist) Experience in both 1-meter and 3-meter events Most coaches prioritize strong fundamentals and form over high DD, as they can build difficulty once proper technique is established.

How can Crimson help with swimming recruitment?

We provide: Time conversion assistance Direct coach connections Meet schedule optimization Video and profile creation Academic planning Scholarship negotiation NCAA compliance guidance Visit coordination

What's the difference between NCAA and NAIA swimming?

NCAA: More rigid eligibility requirements Larger scholarship budgets in Division I Stricter practice time limitations Longer competition season NAIA: More flexible eligibility rules Often better balance of academics/athletics More personalized attention Strong international athlete support Combined academic/athletic scholarships

How do I balance multiple recruitment offers?

Consider: Training facilities quality Coaching staff expertise Team culture and environment Academic program strength Scholarship package Competition schedule Location and climate Post-graduate opportunities

What should my recruitment video include?

Focus on: Race footage from major meets Underwater shots of turns and streamlines Training technique footage Start and finish recordings Dryland training clips Time overlays for races

What role do academics play in recruitment?

For top academic institutions: GPA: 3.5+ (unweighted) SAT: 1350+ ACT: 29+ Division I minimum requirements: GPA: 2.3+ SAT: 980+ ACT: 18+

How are swimming scholarships typically structured?

Swimming is an equivalency sport with: Men's programs: 9.9 full scholarships to distribute Women's programs: 14 full scholarships to distribute Most athletes receive partial scholarships (30-70%) Division II has fewer scholarships available Division III doesn't offer athletic scholarships NAIA programs like Fresno Pacific typically offer combined athletic and academic packages

preparing

The Recruit's Journey

Crafting a winning strategy requires preparation of an elite athletic-academic profile, and connection to coaches at the right time.
First: Evaluation

All student-athletes must evaluate their candidacy against their college goals. Identify gaps in your profile, and start buidlling your gameplan. For some candidates, the plan will revolve all about sport recruitment (athlete-first). For others, we take a comprehensive and combined approach to US college admissions, working on both academic and athletic fronts (scholar-athlete).

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College Recruitment Pathway
Build Your Timeline

Map out key recruitment deadlines, showcase events and application milestones up to three or four years out. Strategic timing is crucial - great recruits take time to ensure quality across video creation, testing, interviews, and visits.

Master Academic Eligibility

Navigate NCAA eligibility while building an academic profile that appeals to your target schools. Smart course selection, standardized test planning, and understanding school-specific pre-requisites can make the key difference in recruitment.

Craft Your Athletic Profile

Develop a compelling athletic narrative through carefully selected footage, performance metrics, and achievement highlights. Presentation matters - coaches receive hundreds of profiles, and often don't know international systems.

Connect With Coaches

Execute a targeted outreach strategy that gets noticed by the right programs. Timing, communication, and understanding each program's needs are essential. Building meaningful connections takes time and consistency.

Excel In-Person

College soccer has changed to the point where serious programs need to see you in real-life. So, maximize every interaction - from showcase events to campus visits and coach meetings. These moments determine your outcomes.

Strategize Your Selection

Balance athletic fit, academic opportunity, and program culture to make an informed decision. Consider playing time potential, scholarship, and development. Your choice shapes not just four years, but your future.

Make your final decision

With offers in hand, you can select your best-fit college. Most recruits apply in the early round and sign the National Letter of Intent.

Typically, you’ll receive a final decision by December of your application year!

Need Support? Speak to Our Team!

Speak to an Advisor

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Launch Your College Journey Today

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Dan

UC Berkeley • Rugby

"We had eight schools come back to us overnight after my player profile was sent out to coaches - and that was places I never would have dreamed of, like Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth and obviously Berkeley."