Why Swimming at an NCAA Division III School Is a Great Fit
By Grant Anger, Swimming World College Intern
Most swimmers don’t continue to compete in college after high school for a variety of reasons. Maybe they weren’t recruited or think they are too slow. The average high school swimmer believes that if they are not top five at a state meet, no college would want them.
This couldn’t be further from the truth! College teams simply want athletes who are great fits for their program. NCAA Division III schools offer a unique opportunity for future student-athletes. Here are a few reasons why you should swim at an NCAA Division III school.
You are More Than an Athlete
The biggest reason to swim Division III is that athletics do not become your whole life. Sure, you are part of the swim team, but you can be much more than that. Clubs, other sports and volunteering opportunities are available with a less demanding schedule.
You can pursue other passions that are completely different from swimming and even try out new ones. Division III programs allow students to discover new interests. It isn’t uncommon to have multi-sport athletes or swimmers who study abroad for a year. These experiences help educate and shape students into well-rounded people with a wide variety of interests and opportunities.
Prioritizing Academics
Going to a Division III institution means that you are a student first, athlete second. While a tiny percentage of Division III athletes turn pro, most move into the working professional world after graduation. While swimming is a large part of your life, your education takes first priority while you are at school. The less intensive schedule allows for more time to do research with professors or take internships in the professional world.
Swimming is Swimming, No Matter the Level
Swimming Division III is still the sport we all love, just less intense than Division I counterparts. Training for five months and getting to race to your goals still feels just as good at any level of competition. Even with fewer demands, most Division III programs have 6 a.m. lifting sessions and lactate sets that bring tears to the goggles.
Training trips, travel opportunities and sweet team gear still exists at the Division III level, and some rivalries carry the excitement and thrill of watching a Division I Championship.
Coaches Want You
If you want to swim in college, there is a spot for you somewhere. College teams want swimmers with potential and love for the sport. Just because you have never made a state final doesn’t mean you can’t develop as an athlete and person in college. While Division III schools are typically considered the slowest, several powerhouse teams (such as Emory University, Kenyon College and Denison College) out-perform swimmers from higher divisions.
You Have Teammates for Life
Competing on a college swim team is an unforgettable experience. You are immediately welcomed into a group of people where you are accepted on your first day of college. Your teammates are there to push and support you just the way they did in high school. Having that group makes the transition into college so much more comfortable and worthwhile. At any division, you will find friends for life.
When looking at colleges and universities, don’t be afraid to go small – you just might find what you’re looking for! The Division III format allows for you to experience more than just swimming in college while maintaining a high level of competition.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
Xoxoxo
Great piece and so true!
Good info!
Tara Feucht
But do they give good scholarships ??
No athletic scholarships. But many are well endowed with a variety of financial help available. 2 nieces competed Dlll— one in swimming and the other soccer. They both had very well rounded college experiences , including travel, choir , sorority etc. . I am a huge fan of Dlll
Fuss Saalfeld Thankyou ?
Some of us are VERY generous with our academic scholarships. Our websites (in the admission section) should have “net price calculators” where when you provide test scores and GPA information you’ll get an estimate of academic scholarships and potential financial aid awards.
My son chose a D3 school for swimming and got a sizable academic scholarship.
We got a very generous scholarship
If you’re smart they do
As long as your child has good grades, they have the opportunity to get a decent academic scholarship. Some are financial need based aid so you have to run it thru the NPC. I found the NPC to be fairly accurate.
Allan Kærgaard
Amalie Kærgaard
Megan Maycock
If I had gone to the D3 school I was looking at, I certainly would’ve swam. Met with the coach and everything. Decided to go to a large school and not swim, though
Sophie Garriga
One of the reasons I coach is that swimming DIII was such an integral part of my college experience that I want to provide that opportunity to others. To me it is distressing to see what a small percentage of athletes who compete in high school continue in college – when the opportunities are certainly there at the DIII level… especially because for many students the small DIII school will provide the best educational experience for them (I’m only a little biased ). Someone with AAA times will be competing for conference championships. Someone with B times will likely contribute in a variety of ways – including in some cases providing the needed inspiration for the AAA swimmer.
Great article. Many D-III schools are very affordable and some of the best coaches in college swimming coach there
Jack Beachboard
My son will be swimming for Birmingham Southern this fall..one of the first things that his coach told him was that he was there for an education first..swim 2nd & that everyone got to swim..no one sits on the bench!!
Victoria Hobrock
I would have loved to go to a DIII school, but there were no swimming scholarships; I wouldn’t have been able to pay for college at all without my full D1 ride.
Kaina Kauahi Kelly Kauahi. ??
I’m going to share this article. Awesome! Maddie is a perfect example.
Kaina Kauahi She really is and has excelled both with school and swimming.