What are some advantages and disadvantages of a Division III swimming program?
As a Div. III athlete, you are required to maintain a more stringent educational program than a Div. I athlete. You are not given financial aid based on your athletic performance, and so your coach does not have as much control over your athletic career. NCAA rules limit the amount of time that your team can participate in organized training to 21 weeks out of the year, and the qualifying standards for the NCAA Div. III championships are easier to achieve than those at Div. I. Also, the Div. III swimmers are not permitted to compete at the Div. I meet, though they are able to compete at any USS championships. All of these are either advantages or disadvantages depending on the perspective of the athlete.
