<p>Our daughter swims in the top 10 in State D1 high school. She would like to swim in college. She also plays cello for the youth symphony. Her grades are mediocre, 3.3 but she is a hard worker. She has little idea of what she wants for a career. She received a superficial recruiting letter from Fordham but I don't know anything about East coast schools.
Our son is going to St Thomas in MN but is not playing any sports.
Money is tight so would either need scholarship money or a low cost tuition. Any suggestions for a college that has a decent swim team, solid academics and guidance for a girl who has no idea what she'd like to do?</p>
<p>Have you checked out St. Olaf? They have really good merit aid, a tremendous music program, supportive environment, and very solid swimming (although D3). Last year’s top St. Olaf swimmer is currently a professional swimmer, rumored to be training for the Olympics. My DD is a first-year student there and is both in chorus and on the swim team. She loves the coaches and all her team mates, and I have to say, she looks stronger than ever. Great food, too, which is very important to these serious swimmers!</p>
<p>The financial aid/admissions people are really very nice and approachable–perhaps talk to them along with Coaches Hauck (Dave is the father, Bob is his son and the main coach), as coaches may have some influence…and good luck!</p>
<p>Final note–if you are looking at D1 college programs, do some research, as many programs have gruelling 3-a-day workouts, lots of time on the road and free time eaten up with entertaining prospies. For most swimmers, this isn’t a very good college experience, IMO.</p>
<p>Thank you! We had been to St Olaf for our son looking into their hockey program and it was a gorgeous campus! They were unable to offer him much merit money and his GPA and number of AP classes was well beyond what our daughter’s is but it’s worth checking out in any case. You’re right, wonderful food!</p>
<p>What are some of her times? I swim competitively and can gauge fairly well where she would fit. It sounds like she will need some athletic money and lucky for you women’s swimming is considerably healthier than men’s at the moment.</p>
<p>She’s swimming a 1:07 in the 100 Breast. IM is competitive but not where it needs to be and her split time for the Medley relay is :31.</p>
<p>Look at some of the Big Ten schools. I know someone with similar times who’s going to the University of Maryland with a pretty good scholarship, and the Big Ten schools are pretty cheap to begin with. Ohio State, Penn State, etc.</p>
<p>Purdue and Univ of Arizona have been places that my swimming friends from CA have sent their swimming children to swim. Purdue gives 1/3 off tuition for a scholarship.</p>
<p>If your daughter does club swimming the coaches should be able to help find a college. 1:07 100 yards breast is pretty good for college, but it isn’t elite class that will get you a full ride at a bigtime college program.</p>