A college swimming coach wants to call me and have a talk… What does this mean? Is it a good sign or just a normal part of the process?
Has to be good !
If you’ve received call you should be feeling pretty good — but you’re not on the team yet! Be sure to respond to each call (or text). I recommend you keep the conversation on athletics, academics, the school and the team. Be polite and take it seriously. Good luck!
Be polite & excited ! This is really great news !
It is good and is part of the process. Use the time to start building a relationship with the coach. Do your homework regarding the school and the athletic program, so you can articulately address your fit and desire to attend.
Be prepared to ask questions, but take the lead from the coach. Focus on more general things…what they are looking for in an athlete, the coach’s goals for the program, your academics/times/athletic record, what do team member majors in, etc.
In a first conversation it might not be appropriate to discuss how many scholarships or slots the coach has, recruited athlete admission chances, or where you fit on their list…of course if the coach brings those things up, then questions regarding those topics are ok. Good luck!
Not sure, but I suspect that swimming is primarily about one’s times and then about one’s events & flexibility.
Thanks for all the support!
Have a couple stock questions in mind. S usually asked about summers, because that was something the coaches didn’t usually talk about during their initial spiel. Plus he’s a grinder, so he wasn’t asking to get out of it, he wanted to make sure the coaches had a summet program planned and he could stay nearby during summers to participate. If that’s not you, that’s fine. But have a few questions in mind so you have something to ask after you get the initial sales pitch.
Definitely a step in the right direction! Definitely have some prepared questions to ask. Team culture is very important to my D20 (different sport) so she had several questions around how things are handled, team dynamics etc. And follow up in a reasonable period of time. The schools that eventually made offers to my daughter expressed how impressed they were with her prompt communication and attention to details.
It’s both a good sign and a normal part of the process. As others have said, be prepared with a few questions about the program. Also be prepared to say a few things about yourself, your current training, and your goals. But don’t be worried, most coaches are very good at guiding these conversations and talking a lot. Most coaches talk to far more recruits than they invite on official visits but you should be prepared with an answer if he asks you to come for a visit. Also, if you haven’t already, gather a current transcript and test scores in case he asks for them.
Also when i talk to the coach, i shouldnt be cocky right… Like when i tall about academic and swimming achievements…
@MrDiaz – life lesson: you should never be cocky!
No cockiness allowed…there are always others at least as fast as, and faster, than you…some might even be on the team or in the stable of recruits.
It’s ok to matter of factly share your times, the hard work you have put into both academics and swimming and finding the right balance, upcoming competitions/goals…that you are working on X this summer to get the time in X race down to X, things of that nature. No boasting, let the coach drive the conversation, build a relationship.
Maybe i used the wrong word. I was meant to say spilling out so much personal information and achievement all at once but thanks for the advice.
It’s not a time to be cocky, but also not a time to be shy. If you don’t talk up your accomplishments, no one else will. Talk about your times, how they have improved, what your goals are.
What @twoinanddone said. Come across as someone who wants to be a valued member of the team AND a good student.
can i say that my goal is to get recruited to this school?
Research the school and team.
hi guys. i just have one question. if the coach asks me “what other schools are you interested in?” what do I say? do i tell him the truth? I feel like this is going to be a factor…
ALWAYS tell the truth. If you don’t want to answer you can say “I’m looking at LACs in New England” or “I’m interested in studying Psychology so I’ve looked at schools with good departments, in all three divisions.”
But honestly, if it is the coach from Bates he’ll soon learn that the coach from Colby is interested or that you are thinking of California or Texas. Just tell the truth and if you don’t have any idea, say that.