Planning Your College Resume:

Many parents, guidance counselors, and teachers will tell you that you need to grow or pad your college application resume.  That is doing the things that will make you attractive to colleges that you apply to.  Are you doing the same thing for your college “Swimming” resume?  This is a JOB you are applying for.  Start the process early and be thorough.  

Consider the following items.  Are you leaving me, your coach, with the best possible answers to relay to your prospective college coach?   Are you giving me the ammunition I need to “SELL” you to them?  I will give them the best recommendation that you empower me to give them on your behalf.  Make sure the message you want is the same as the job you are currently doing.   Remember I have many swimmers coming up behind you so I will not lie for you.  Help yourself by keeping these types of things in mind.  Your Junior Year in High School is perhaps your most important year.  You will need to have your background and experiences show your abilities.  Your Senior Year will be for final confirmation on your goals, desires and determination.  

On a scale of 1-5 rate yourself now and where you want to be before the college selection process starts.  1 is awful and 5 is doing everything possible or 100% effort. 

Here are some of the areas that coaches will ask when recruiting a perspective athlete.  Think on how you want these questions to be answered by your coach.

___ I am a dedicated athlete           ___I am easy to coach                            

___ I am always on time                                ___ I work all, weights, swimming & Dryland

___ My attendance is 100%                 ___ I carry spare equipment for emergencies                          

___ I always strive to do my best           ___ I am a hard worker                                                                     

___ I make stroke changes willingly               ___ I focus on the task at hand      

___ I am first in the water every day           ___ I do what it takes to improve     

___ I pay attention and am focused                 ___ I prove I want to be better every day  

___ I always have my equipment and am ready ___ I set and pursue goals  

___ I am a great team person                        ___ I work hard in the off season 

___ I support my teammates                         ___ I am a good role model    

___ I am a positive influence                             ___ I am high maintenance       

Now write 5 characteristics that you think that you have that would be appealing to a college coach and a college team.  Remember that you are selling yourself to both the coach and the team itself.