<p>How does one find out the minimum requirements to make a swim team? It appears that some of the Ivies and Patriot League schools are DI but the teams are easier to make than some DIII schools. If a kid is admissable on academics (not recruited) is there a way to find out how fast one must swim to just make the squad? D is an A swimmer at a top HS program but will not be recruited. Late start to the sport with times dropping a lot each season, so she wants to swim. 36 ACT, 2330 SAT single sitting, 12 APs by graduation. She wants to do some research before contacting coaches. Please advise.</p>
<p>Go to the websites of the college teams your daughter is interested in and check the results and times for current swimmers, if you daughter’s times match up with what team swimmers are doing she’s probably a fit for the team. Some team websites post time standards expected for team participation–usually they are way faster than what team actually allows.</p>
<p>It is never too early to check in with the coaches if she has an interest in team; the coaches like to hear from prospective swimmers–it makes their job easier sometimes. Too, probably go ahead and register with the NCAA clearinghouse if your daughter is finishing her senior year now. College swimming can be very time demanding, be sure to find out from schools what kind of commitment they require timewise.</p>
<p>Call the admissions office and ask if they can arrange a conversation with a member of the swim team. When you go visit campus, obviously visit with the coach, but see if you can stay overnight with another swimmer and maybe work out with the team.</p>
<p>Thank you. I will suggest she follows your advice. It’s hard to figure out what the slower kids on the team swim!</p>
<p>Holy Cross and Bucknell are 2 good Patriot League schools.</p>
<p>Almost every swim program has a “recruit questionaire” that the prospective student athlete can complete on line (look on the athletic page of any school’s website…). One of the sections will ask for events/times. If the times are competitive for the team, the coach will reach out to the swimmer. You can also look at the most recent conference meet results of the school in question. Current HS times that would score at a conference meet will usually get the attention of a coach.</p>