Need Help with College Swim Recruiting?
Some families may want some extra help when it comes to college recruiting. Not every parent has a background in swimming, college athletics, or the time to search through rosters, schools, and scholarships. In these cases, hiring an expert to guide their athlete through the recruiting process can be extremely helpful. In recent years, several college swim recruiting advisors have emerged to help families navigate what can be a confusing and high-stakes journey.
These advising services can also be a great resource for student-athletes simply looking to accelerate and simplify the complex process.
They offer guidance and support in critical areas, including:
- The Search Process: Assistance with the school search and narrowing down choices to find the right overall fit.
- Recruiting & Communication: Expert help with communicating with coaches and strategically identifying scholarship opportunities.
- Logistics & Timeline: Support in managing timelines and successfully planning college visits.
- Stress Reduction: They help alleviate stress for both the athlete and parents during what can be an overwhelming process.
College Swim Recruiting Advisors:
One Lap Ahead is run by a former NCAA Division I All-American and SEC Champion who meets with athletes one-on-one to help guide them through every stage of recruiting. She works with swimmers no matter where they are in the journey and develops a personalized plan for each athlete. This includes detailed questionnaires to identify each swimmer’s goals and preferences, mock interviews, assistance in finding schools that meet their criteria, scholarship guidance, and even support navigating the transfer portal.
Because One Lap Ahead is run by a recent NCAA athlete, it offers a unique perspective on what today’s coaches are looking for and what athletes need to do to market themselves effectively. In addition to one-on-one advising, the program provides resources for coaches to discover and connect with athletes directly, helping to open lines of communication from both sides of the process.
American College Connection (ACC) is another well-known service that helps swimmers and families navigate the recruiting process. Their team is made up primarily of former college swim coaches, along with an academic advisor. According to their website, they focus on helping swimmers find the right academic and athletic fit, offering personalized advice, and guiding families through recruiting from start to finish. ACC emphasizes its personalized approach and the staff’s ability to leverage their college coaching experience when communicating with programs.
Broader, Academic Focus:
Admit Advantage is a college-admissions consulting firm that guides students through every step of the application process. They help students uncover their unique story, craft standout essays, and build strong activity lists and recommendation strategies. Their mentorship options range from early support for 9th–11th graders to full application packages for seniors. This makes expert guidance more accessible without the ultra-premium price tag.
