Thank you, super helpful. I am very new to all this- so there is a D2 school that S absolutely loves and could get in on his own- and in fact, we already visited it last Spring but did not contact the coach. So you’re saying he could ask the coach? If so, how would he word that? Thanks again!
I’d start by emailing the coach with times and GPA also expressing love for the school and interest in applying, then go from there. If the coach responds with “I already made all the offers I am able to make” he can ask directly “if I were accepted, would I be able to join the team?” Or “what is your walk on policy?” The vast majority of swim teams have some walk-ons. If he is on par with the team it is unlikely the coach will not take him. (Keep in mind this will probably no longer be the case with D1 swimming do to imposed roster limits).
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I am certainly no expert, and diving may be a little different too, but I don’t think it’s too late! My daughter has been getting more emails and watches/follows on her (free) ncsa account than she had been getting the last couple months. It almost feels like recruiting has ramped back up? I’m wondering if the top kids are already committed and now they are concentrating on that next tier down. This is 100% just my theory lol. I would fill out recruiting forms and email coaches and see what happens! Do you follow Coach Renee’s group on FB? Tons of good info there.
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Perfect, thanks! Extremely helpful. S is excited and really, really wants to swim. I will look for Coach Renee’s group on FB.
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I’m not sure if that link posted (technology is not my forte lol) but it’s called “Educating Parents of HS Athletes on the College Recruiting Process”
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Good advice. cc: the assistant coaches as well as the head coach, as you don’t necessarily know who takes the lead on recruiting. Make sure the subject line is direct, e.g., 1:41 200 free 2025. I would also include test scores or dates tests will be taken. Always end the email with an action item you can follow up with. The email needs to come from the athlete, not the parents, but parents should proofread before the email is sent.
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Thanks - S is not submitting test scores (he is a terrible test taker), so I wonder if we can skip this? Some recruiting forms online do request that info… 
@Mrspuma thank you- I’ve requested to join the group.
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In that case, I suggest not mentioning test scores in the email. If a coach really needs to see them, they will let you know.
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The idea is to highlight academic strength if/where possible.
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My daughter has not taken SAT/ACT and doesn’t plan on it unless she has to. At this point, all her potential schools don’t need them. She included a link to her diving IG and a pic of her transcripts in her emails.
That is ok, but also, recruits should be aware that some schools may require/encourage a test score for the pre read even if the school is officially TO.
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Agree. If it’s at all possible to take, a test score can be quite helpful.
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You’re not wrong, and I definitely encouraged her to take them, but I just wanted sinkorswim to know that it’s not necessarily a deal breaker. Clearly it can limit the options! There was one school on my daughter’s radar early on that would have needed them, and she knew she’d have to take them (and do fairly well) if that school was a legit option for her, but for other reasons it wasn’t the best fit.
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My son is a 2025 diver and was looking at lower D1s and high academic D3s and had success in the schools he was looking at and has verbally now committed to a d3 he loved but many schools are still looking and I know he disappointed a bunch along the way. Definitely not too late. feel free to message me if need help.
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Congrats! When did he commit?
That’s great news, congrats @indecisive13 ! S25 emailed coaches and filled out recruiting forms over the holiday weekend and so far 3 coaches got back to him! He is feeling encouraged 
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What type of school is he looking for? There are a number of D2 schools in Florida (Sunshine State Conference) with great swim teams and beautiful pools. There are LACs (Rollins, Flagler), there are engineering schools (Florida Tech, Embry-Riddle), there are bigger schools (St. Leo’s), and smaller (Lynn, Palm Beach Atlantic).
North and South Carolina also have a number of ‘swim schools’. Queens in Charlotte just switched from D2 to D1, mostly for the swim team/coach’s success.
A swimmer in D2 or D3 isn’t necessarily slower than a D1 swimmer.
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He is looking for schools 3,000-10,000 in size, residential, open as to location, warmer is better, but academics is also important. S25’s GPA is in the 3.0 range, so that is a factor as well, although I’d assume that if coaches request a call after seeing his transcript, they still think S can be admitted? Thanks for the suggestions- we will look into those. Just added Lynn to the list today!
My daughter got an offer yesterday at an Official Visit!!
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