<p>My Son is a rising senior and is looking to swim in college, specifically on the Division 3 level. He has Junior National cuts in the 100 and 200 yard Breast, and is strong in his freestyle events as well (22 low in 50 free, 49 low 100 free). His cumulative GPA is a disappointing 3.0, but he has an upward trend and finished his junior year with a 3.4 at one of the most renowned private high schools in the Midwest while taking the most AP/Honors class possible each year. He took the ACT and got a 32, which could potentially buffer his GPA in admissions in competitive schools. My question is, could his Junior National cuts along with his low(ish) GPA/32 ACT get him into highly competitive Division 3 programs such as Amherst, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Wash U, Johns Hopkins, etc. Any response would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>Has he connected with the coaches yet? If not, he needs to send them emails NOW!!! I think he might have a chance. Take a look at their websites and see where his times fit in with the team. If he can make an immediate impact than I think he has a chance. But swimming recruiting for the class of 2015 is in full swing so he needs to act soon. If he can score at the conference meet his worth goes up! We have a family friend that swims at Kenyon and his grades and test scores were below their middle "50%. His swimming got him in. </p>
<p>Jr. Nat cuts will certainly generate interest. For the very top academic schools on your list, while a 32 on the ACT should suffice, the GPA will be a conversation-stopper for some schools, assuredly Amherst, perhaps others as well. I take it that if his cum GPA is 3.0 and his Jr year GPA was a 3.4, he must have been below 3.0 for his Frosh or Soph years, or both. That will be tough for a swim coach to punch through admissions at the top academic schools, despite the strong swimming. Swimmers simply don’t get much of an admissions break at selective D3 schools. Too many recruits with Jr Nat cuts also have solid academic records. Just cast his recruiting net widely – his swim times will help. [I am assuming that when you write “Junior National” cuts you mean either USA Swim summer LCM or winter SCY cuts and not the array of other “Junior National” cut thresholds.]</p>
<p>I agree with prior poster. A mediocre GPA (even with a 32 ACT and from a good HS) will likely be a non starter with top NESCAC schools, even for a top swimmer. Top tier helmet sport athlete might be a different story. Maybe I am wrong, but I see an uphill struggle here with Bowdoin, Amherst, etc. But there will be other D3 fits here.</p>
<p>Also try Washington and Lee. Great swim program and his times would make him an attractive candidate. The coach’s recommendation to the admissions committee could possibly be enough to cancel out the lower GPA.</p>
<p>I agree his GPA may be a deal breaker, but pretty much everything else on his application are great. Standardized test score, recommendation, extra curriculars, etc. Remember he is on an upward trend, and colleges will look mostly at his junior and senior years. </p>