Summer is the perfect time for rising juniors to contact coaches and introduce themselves or to continue email dialogs that have already been established. Junior year is very intense in terms of academics and recruiting so your child should get some of these tasks done while on break from school.

Whether or not a coach can contact a swimmer depends on the division. To summarize:

Division I: coaches can reply to emails, talk to swimmers visiting campus, and schedule official visits after June 15 before junior year

Division II: coaches can call, send emails, schedule official visits after June 15 before junior year

Division III: coaches can call, send emails, schedule official visits anytime

NAIA: coaches can call, send emails, schedule official visits anytime

NJCAA: coaches can call, send emails, schedule official visits anytime

As swimmers identify programs that would be a good fit, they should reach out to coaches this summer and introduce themselves. If a coach can’t reply yet, he will file the email until he can contact the swimmer personally.

Swimmers should continue email conversations with coaches at programs that interest them. After the long course taper meet, swimmers should update coaches.

Continue to take as many college tours and unofficial visits as you can fit into your budget and your schedule if travel is permitted in your area.

Official visits are allowed for juniors but a lot of coaches prefer to wait until swimmers are seniors to offer official visits but it could change as they acclimate to the new rules.

This summer is the time to research swim programs – you and your swimmer should analyze as many programs as you can and read about schools that fall within the conferences where your swimmer is well-suited. The 2023 Conference Championships Spreadsheets on the website are useful in determining which programs to target.

I highly encourage students to take standardized tests during junior year until they are happy with their scores, so they are done with them before the craziness of senior year. Studying on their own or taking a review course during the summer can prepare them to take the tests in the fall.

If your swimmer is planning to take standardized tests this fall, be sure to register by the following dates to avoid a late fee.

SAT August 26 (registration deadline July 28)

ACT September 9 (registration deadline August 4)

SAT October 7 (registration deadline September 7)

ACT October 28 (registration deadline September 22)

Send the test scores to the NCAA (code 9999) or NAIA (code 9876) Eligibility Clearinghouse.

Coming up in August and September:

• Continue email conversations with coaches if a relationship has been established
• Send introductory emails to coaches at swim programs which are a good fit
• Continue to research schools and swim programs
• ACT and/or SAT review
• Plan college tours