Three Simple Steps to Help Your Child Swim in College
By Monica E. Randall, PhD.
What is the best part about being a swim mom? Watching our children excel in this sport! Whether I’m on deck or in the stands cheering, once parents find out that I am an educational consultant, I’m often asked for advice on how to help prepare their teens to earn a scholarship to swim in college. Here, in three easy steps, are my thoughts on how to best prepare your swimmer to become a college athlete.
Step 1 – ‘Do Well In School’
A high GPA in core courses and a high score on the SAT or ACT is key to college admissions
Every swim parent wants their child to earn a scholarship to swim in college. I know, we all have big dreams for our children and I get it. But, it is important for you, and your swimmer, to manage your expectations. Understand that as good as your son or daughter is at swimming, odds are that s/he will not get an athletic scholarship, much less a full ride. Why? It is not because they aren’t talented – it is simply because of the numbers. Over one-third of all colleges do not offer any athletic scholarships and those that do offer scholarships, do not offer full scholarships for most sports. Only six (6) sports at the Division I level are required to offer full scholarships : football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s gymnastics and tennis. Notice that swimming isn’t on this list. This is because swimming, like the other sports not listed, is considered an ‘equivalency sport’ meaning that one scholarship can be divided among multiple swimmers. For a sport like swimming, the number of scholarships allowed is less than the number of swimmers on the roster. And just because a college is allowed to offer say 5 swim scholarships, doesn’t mean that they will have the ability to fund them all.
So, what should you emphasize with your student? Academics of course. Good grades and high standardized test scores (either the SAT or the ACT) are extremely important not only to be eligible to swim in the NCAA but doing well in school gives your teen a chance to compete for academic and merit based scholarships. To be NCAA eligible to swim, your teen must meet the minimum high school GPA and SAT/ACT score requirements. In general, students are more attractive to a college when they do well academically. And make sure that your teen is taking the right courses to be eligible to swim at the college level. It is not enough for your teen to maintain a high cumulative GPA, they must maintain a high GPA in core courses. Not all high school courses are equal and the NCAA has a ‘list’ of courses that they consider to be core. As early as your teens’ freshman year in high school, s/he should know what is considered a core course, know his/her core course GPA and monitor it thru high school.
College coaches value a positive attitude and work ethic
Step 2: ‘Be a hard working positive team member’
Most parents believe the faster your teen swims, the more likely they will be heavily recruited to swim in college. Although this is true (for the most part), the vast majority of high school and club swim coaches will tell you that the key to competing at the collegiate level, whether it is Division I, II, or III is hard work and commitment. Show up to practices on time, work hard, support your teammates and be a good sport. For those who are willing to go the extra mile and put in the time, there is ALWAYS a school out there for you. Everyone’s path to college swimming will be different and the key is to find a college that is an academic, social, financial, and athletic fit for your swimmer.
Step 3: ‘Don’t Act a Fool’
I’m talking to YOU moms and dads! Recently, I came across a YouTube interview of Pat Fitzgerald, a coach at Northwestern University. In the video, he talks about how coaches evaluate parents as a part of the recruitment process. Yes, parents are evaluated by coaches. Here is what Coach Fitzgerald said. “…….When we talk about our fit, we’re evaluating the parents, too. And if the parents don’t fit, then we might punt on the player…. That has changed over a decade. Ten years ago, that wasn’t as big of a role. Now it’s a big part of it,” he told NUSports.com.
So, how can parents contribute positively and help their swimmer earn a college scholarship for swimming and support them on their journey to college? According to Andy McKernan of NCSA Athletic Recruiting, here are four ways in which parents can support their swimmers. 
- Help your teen keep a healthy balance between school and swimming;
- Make sure that your teen takes responsibility for college planning and researching colleges of interests on their own (i.e., be there to support them but let them complete their own paperwork, etc.);
- Be respectful on deck and show respect for other swimmers, coaches, other parents and officials as all times; and
- Be there to offer support for your son or daughter as they transition from high school to college which can often be a stressful and difficult time.
Keep in mind that coaches are always watching not only our swimmers in the pool but also us as parents on deck. Best of luck, have fun and see you on deck!
Dr. Monica E. Randall
Monica E. Randall, PhD is a dedicated wife, entrepreneur, and swim mom. She enjoys helping families find the right college for their students – whether they are athletes or not – through her consulting practice Bridge2College Consultings. Dr. Randall is a regular contributor to Black Kids Swim through her column “Preparing your Student Athlete for College.”
Dr. Randall is a college admissions consultant and the parent of a ‘tween who swims for DC Wave in Washington, D.C. As a private college advisor, she has helped dozens of students find the perfect college to fit their academic and athletic needs. Her practice provides students and parents with the tools and knowledge to effectively guide them through the college application, financial aid, and scholarship processes.
Working with Dr. Randall, ensures students not only find the right fit, but also improves their odds of getting into their top choice school. Contact her at monica@bridge2colleges.com or bridge2colleges.com.
