What is the process for joining the Naval Academy swim team?

I'm a high school junior interested in swimming at the college level, and I'm particularly interested in the Naval Academy. What steps should I take to potentially join their swim team? Is it super competitive to get in?

First, you'll want to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria to attend the United States Naval Academy (USNA) because it's not a typical college; it's a service academy, meaning it prepares students to serve as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps. Admission is competitive, and requires a nomination from a U.S. representative, senator, or the vice president, among others.

In addition to the academic application, your athletic ability will also be considered. If you want to be on the swim team, it's best to get in contact with the swim team coaches at the Naval Academy. You can do this by filling out the athletic questionnaire on the Naval Academy Athletics website under the "Recruits" section. This form helps coaches identify prospective athletes for their teams.

The Naval Academy competes in Division I athletics, so the swim team will be very competitive. It's important to have a strong competitive swimming history, ideally with a USA Swimming club or high school team. You'll need exceptional swim times that are competitive at the collegiate level.

Once you submit the form and get in touch with the coaches, they might invite you for an official visit or to attend a summer seminar that gives high-performing high school juniors a chance to experience life at the Academy. These opportunities will allow you to meet the team, see the school, and better understand the academy structure.

Remember that acceptance into the Naval Academy and joining the swim team means committing to military service upon graduation. This is not a decision to take lightly, so ensure that this path aligns with your career and life goals.

Finally, keep working hard both academically and athletically, as both aspects will be considered in your application to the Academy. Even if you're recruited for athletics, you still need to be admitted academically and physically qualify for military service.