Study and swim in America – combine sports and study
Want to combine your passion for swimming with a world-class degree? Nowhere else is the combination of elite swimming and academics as professionally organized as in the US college system. You’ll train in state-of-the-art 50-meter pools, be guided by a team of experts, and compete at a world-class level. It’s the ultimate environment to break your personal records while working towards your academic future, with opportunities for talented swimmers at every level.
On top of everything else, student-athletes learn to work and thrive in a team environment, which alters and shapes them into well-rounded, unselfish, team-oriented, and driven individuals. These qualities will help you be successful, whether in or out of the pool.
How does a swimming scholarship work?
With over six hundred universities offering swimming programs, there’s a place for every level. Coaches evaluate you purely on your performance. Your personal records (PRs) in key events, in both short course yards (SCY) and long course meters (LCM), are the most critical factor.
The foundation is the athletic scholarship, which can cover up to the full cost of attendance (‘full ride’). This is often combined with:
- Academic Scholarships: For strong grades (GPA) and test scores (SAT/ACT).
- International Student Aid: Special funds that universities have for non-US students.
‘Stacking’ these scholarships is where our expertise makes all the difference in creating the best financial package for you.
The following items can be covered by a swim scholarship:
Tuition
Your scholarship can cover the full cost of tuition, which can range from $10,000 to over $70,000 per year.
Training gear
You will receive complete sets of team apparel, tech suits, goggles, and other gear from top brands, all provided by the university.
Room&Board
The costs for your room on campus (‘dorms’) and your daily ‘meal plan’ can be fully covered by your scholarship.
Insurance
It is mandatory to have health insurance and some schools require international students to take a school’s policy.
Books
A significant expense that is often included in your scholarship package, saving you between $400 and $1200 annually.
Spending money
With a ‘full ride’ scholarship, you may even receive an extra monthly stipend for personal expenses.
Life as a college swimmer: training & competition
As a student-athlete, you step into a demanding and professional environment, designed to shave every hundredth of a second off your time. This includes:
- A complete coaching staff: With a head coach and specialized assistant coaches for sprints, distance, and the different strokes, but also guidance from other specialists such as a strength & conditioning coach, a nutritionist, and a mental coach.
- First-class facilities: Access to 50-meter Olympic pools, elite weight rooms, and performance analysis centers.
- An intensive program: Daily practices in the water are combined with a heavy ‘dry-land’ (strength & conditioning) program to make you stronger and more explosive.
Travel through America & battle for the championship
The season is an intense period of dual meets (one-on-one matches) and large invitationals with multiple universities. But the experience goes much further than just the matches:
- Travel as a team: You travel with your teammates, who quickly become your best friends, throughout the region—and sometimes the entire country. This means not only playing tennis but also discovering the diversity of America, from long bus rides filled with music and camaraderie to flights for important away matches.
- The dream of The Nationals: The ultimate goal of the season is to qualify for The Nationals: a multi-day event where the fastest swimmers in the world compete for national titles.
Overview of an academic year
Showtime! – During the season, you practice almost every day of the week and swim about 8 meets. There are meets scheduled in early January so you only have a short period off during the holidays. If your team has done well in the regular season, it is able to qualify for “post-season competition” and continues in tournament mode until the National Championship is held in the end of March.
Summer break – There is a possibility to stay in The USA and take summer classes or work in camps. Most students decide to go back to their families to enjoy the 2.5-month break to rest and individual preparation for the next season.
Day in the life of a student-athlete
Soccer & Academics are 100% coordinated, so you have the opportunity to excel in both the pool as well as in the classroom.
6:00
Weight/conditioningget ready for the
weight/conditioning/
swim training.
8:00
Shower/BreakfastShower and then have breakfast with teammates or friends in one of the dining facilities on the college campus.
8:45
Classes11:45
LunchLunch with teammates and friends again at one of the various food halls available on campus using your prepaid ‘meal plan’ card.
12:30
Classes14:30
Swim practiceArrive at the training room to prepare for practice. You may get stretched out or taped by an athletic trainer (physiotherapist)
17:30
Recover/Shower/DinnerBack to the training room to make sure you take care of yourself physically after practice (ice bath/physical therapy). After taking a shower, you will have dinner with teammates and friends.
19:00
Study/LeisureTime to get some studying or homework done. When other sports teams are in action, a good college athlete supports their fellow athletes! The rest of the evening is your own!
4 unique facts about college swimming
The #1 Supplier of Olympians Just like in track and field, the NCAA system is the absolute breeding ground for Olympic swimmers. An overwhelming majority of medal winners at the Olympic Games has a background in the American college system.
Short Course Yards: A Unique Challenge The American college season is competed in ‘Short Course Yards’ (SCY), a 25-yard pool. This is a different discipline than the meters we are used to in Europe and creates a fast, explosive, and tactical style of racing.
An Individual Sport, a Close-Knit Team Although you swim your own race, scoring at ‘dual meets’ and championships is entirely focused on the team’s performance. The atmosphere and team spirit are unparalleled and turn this individual sport into a true team sport.
The Mentality of an Elite Athlete As a founder and former college athlete, Dennis den Boer understands the discipline and dedication required to succeed in a demanding sport like swimming. This experience is essential in guiding you through your journey.
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