College Recruiting Advising

Expert advice to guide you through the college recruiting process, start to finish.

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THE COLLEGE SWIMMING RECRUITMENT PROCESS CAN BE OVERWHELMING...

There is a lot of information, a lot of opinions, and not always a clear sense of what actually matters. My role is to guide swimmers and their families to understand how the recruiting process works, what school(s) an athlete might be best positioned for success, and how to approach it with clarity and confidence.

This is advising, not placement. I do not promise scholarships or specific outcomes. I help athletes understand the ever-changing collegiate swimming landscape so they can make informed decisions and advocate for themselves.

About Coach Javi Sossa

As a former Olympic Coach, Associate Head Coach at the NCAA Division I level, and Head Coach at the Division II level, I am uniquely positioned to advise swimmers at all skill levels to take their athletic career to the next level.

I have worked with Olympians, national team athletes, and top NCAA swimmers - with my experience spanning years of evaluating performance, athlete development, and understanding the critical aspect of roster depth across conferences and divisions.

I have also been on the inside of recruiting rooms. I understand how coaches evaluate times, potential athlete trajectories, and fit beyond a single swim or meet result.

Recruiting advising is about translating that perspective into clear, honest guidance for swimmers and their families.

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Who is this service for?

  • High school swimmers

    Who want to swim in college but are unsure where they fit amidst the Division I, II, III and NAIA leagues

  • Families

    Navigating the ever-evolving college recruiting process

  • Current Collegiate Student-Athletes

    Potential transfers trying to understand the complexities of transferring schools
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What College Recruiting Advising Focuses On

  • Competitive fit

    We look at your events, times, and improvement patterns to understand where you are competitive today and provide expertise on what programs may be possible with continued development.

  • Recruiting timelines

    Not every athlete is recruited on the same schedule. We map out realistic timelines based on your school year, development stage, and goals so you know when to engage and when to wait.

  • Coach communication

    We work on how to present yourself to college coaches, what information matters, and how to communicate clearly and professionally throughout each step of the process.

  • Program environment

    We talk honestly about training environments, roster depth, expectations, and culture so you can identify schools where you can grow and succeed, whether it be in Division I or elsewhere.

  • Athlete Image

    We will examine your online presence, including your social media, news articles, etc. to maximize your profile beyond the pool.

  • Decision clarity

    The goal is not just to get recruited. The goal is to make a decision you feel confident about academically, athletically, and personally.
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NOTE: College recruiting advising is education and guidance. I do not contact college coaches on your behalf or promise scholarships or roster spots. College coaches want to hear directly from the athlete. Taking ownership of research, communication, and decision-making is a key part of being a college athlete.

CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE RECRUITING SUPPORT PLAN

3 OPTIONS TO FIT YOUR NEEDS →

Feature
The Blueprint (Self-Guided)
The Prepare (Guided Support)
The Performer (Full Advising)
Best for

Families and athletes who want expert guidance and materials for college recruiting, and are comfortable utilizing the resources independently.

Families and athletes who want to lead the process but want expert input at key moments

Families and athletes who want full expert guidance through every stage of college recruiting
Training & Resources
  • Full, unlimited access to an online training course library, accompanying materials, all on-demand to use and reuse as needed.
  • Live, monthly webinar hosted by Coach Javi (starting Feb 15)

Included

Included
Recruiting Roadmap & Tools
  • Step-by-step recruiting roadmap
  • Recruiting timelines by high school grade
  • Communication templates & examples
  • Checklists & scripts
  • College Prospects & Strategy

Included

Included
1-on-1 Calls with Coach Javi

❌ Not Included

4 total calls (1 hour each):

  • Prospective college target list review
  • College outreach & communication strategy
  • Mock interview & coach call practice
  • College offer evaluation, scholarship negotiation, and decision planning

(Up to 10 1-hour calls total, and unlimited texting with Coach Javi)
Mock Interview & Communication Advice

❌ Not Included

Mock interview & coach call practice

Ongoing communication strategy and refinement
College Team Offer, Scholarship Negotiation & Decision Counseling

❌ Not Included

College offer evaluation, scholarship negotiation, and decision planning
  • College offer evaluation and scholarship negotiation support
  • College decision consultation
Additional Support

❌ Not Included

❌ Not Included

Unlimited email and message review during the advising period.
(Up to 10 1-hour calls total, and unlimited texting with Coach Javi)
In-depth competitive fit analysis

❌ Not Included

❌ Not Included

In-depth competitive fit analysis
Full college recruiting list with dynamic adjustments

❌ Not Included

❌ Not Included

Full college recruiting list with dynamic adjustments
Campus visit strategy

❌ Not Included

❌ Not Included

Included
The Blueprint (Self-Guided)
Best for

Families and athletes who want expert guidance and materials for college recruiting, and are comfortable utilizing the resources independently.

Training & Resources
  • Full, unlimited access to an online training course library, accompanying materials, all on-demand to use and reuse as needed.
  • Live, monthly webinar hosted by Coach Javi (starting Feb 15)
Recruiting Roadmap & Tools
  • Step-by-step recruiting roadmap
  • Recruiting timelines by high school grade
  • Communication templates & examples
  • Checklists & scripts
  • College Prospects & Strategy
1-on-1 Calls with Coach Javi

❌ Not Included

Mock Interview & Communication Advice

❌ Not Included

College Team Offer, Scholarship Negotiation & Decision Counseling

❌ Not Included

Additional Support

❌ Not Included

In-depth competitive fit analysis

❌ Not Included

Full college recruiting list with dynamic adjustments

❌ Not Included

Campus visit strategy

❌ Not Included

The Prepare (Guided Support)
Best for

Families and athletes who want to lead the process but want expert input at key moments

Training & Resources

Included

Recruiting Roadmap & Tools

Included

1-on-1 Calls with Coach Javi

4 total calls (1 hour each):

  • Prospective college target list review
  • College outreach & communication strategy
  • Mock interview & coach call practice
  • College offer evaluation, scholarship negotiation, and decision planning
Mock Interview & Communication Advice

Mock interview & coach call practice

College Team Offer, Scholarship Negotiation & Decision Counseling

College offer evaluation, scholarship negotiation, and decision planning

Additional Support

❌ Not Included

In-depth competitive fit analysis

❌ Not Included

Full college recruiting list with dynamic adjustments

❌ Not Included

Campus visit strategy

❌ Not Included

The Performer (Full Advising)
Best for

Families and athletes who want full expert guidance through every stage of college recruiting

Training & Resources

Included

Recruiting Roadmap & Tools

Included

1-on-1 Calls with Coach Javi

(Up to 10 1-hour calls total, and unlimited texting with Coach Javi)

Mock Interview & Communication Advice

Ongoing communication strategy and refinement

College Team Offer, Scholarship Negotiation & Decision Counseling
  • College offer evaluation and scholarship negotiation support
  • College decision consultation
Additional Support

Unlimited email and message review during the advising period.
(Up to 10 1-hour calls total, and unlimited texting with Coach Javi)

In-depth competitive fit analysis

In-depth competitive fit analysis

Full college recruiting list with dynamic adjustments

Full college recruiting list with dynamic adjustments

Campus visit strategy

Included

What our clients say

Logan Naguchi

Princeton - 2028

Logan Naguchi

Encinitas, CA

Lucius Brown

Yale - 2026

Lucius Brown

San Diego, CA

Nicholas Mahabir

Cal Berkeley

Nicholas Mahabir

San Diego, CA - 2026

Logan Naguchi

Princeton - 2028

Logan Naguchi

Encinitas, CA

Lucius Brown

Yale - 2026

Lucius Brown

San Diego, CA

Nicholas Mahabir

Cal Berkeley

Nicholas Mahabir

San Diego, CA - 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is college recruiting advising?

College recruiting advising is expert guidance and education from the lens of a former Olympic and NCAA swimming coach. Securing a roster spot and/or a scholarship on a college team requires results in the pool and strategic communication out of the pool. I help swimmers and their families understand the potential level of competitive fit (Division I, II, III or NAIA), as well as understand critical recruiting timelines, how to communicate effectively with potential coaches and programs, and pursue realistic options. It is not placement nor does it involve contacting coaches on your behalf.

Do I need to know what school I want to attend before joining your program?

No. Many athletes seek college recruiting advising because they are unsure of their options. Part of the process is gaining clarity on divisions, programs, and environments that may be a good fit.

Do you contact college coaches on my behalf?

No. College coaches want to hear directly from the athlete. Crucial to the recruiting process is effective outreach, communication, and learning what questions to ask so that the athlete can confidently take ownership of their recruiting journey. I help you understand and prepare what to say behind-the-scenes, but the outreach should come from you.

Why is athlete-led communication important?

A healthy team culture is paramount to college coaches. They are not only recruiting the athlete, they are recruiting the person who will be a key contributor to the overall culture and success of their team. How an athlete communicates, follows up, and understands a program matters. Confident communication with college coaches is key to being ready for swimming at the next level.

What is your role if you do not contact coaches?

As a former Division I Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, and Division II Head Coach, I share my deep expertise with swimmers and their families. My role is to guide you through the complex recruiting process and educate you on targeting and pursuing the right programs for your skill level. I've created 3 programs to provide various levels of support to swimmers looking to achieve the goal of swimming at the next level.

Will you tell me which division I can swim in?

I help you understand where you are competitive today and what may be possible with improvement, depending on what year of primary education you are in. Division fit is not a label. It is a range that can change over time.

Do you guarantee scholarships or roster spots?

No. No one should. Scholarships and roster decisions depend on many factors, including timing, team needs, and potential athlete development. The goal of college recruiting advising is clarity and preparation to best position yourself at the next level.

How do you evaluate competitive fit?

This is where my diverse experience coaching Olympians, NCAA Division I conference champions and NAIA swimmers benefits you the most. I look at a variety of factors, including event strengths, times, improvement trends, technique, training regiments, etc. I evaluate how all of those combined factors compare to typical collegiate conference and roster depth across divisions. Data provides context, and in combination with experience and honest discussion, I am confident we will create a plan that guides you toward the next level, whatever that may be.

Is this only for Division I recruiting?

No. We talk about Division I, Division II, Division III, and NAIA options. Finding the right level is about fit, opportunity, and development, not status.

When is the right time to start college recruiting advising?

Now! If you love swimming and have a desire to continue at the next level, it is never too early to start planning how to achieve your goal.

How involved should parents be?

Parents are an important part of the process, and benefit greatly from understanding what college programs are looking for and operating within the strict timeline of college recruiting. At the same time, athletes are expected to take ownership of communication and decisions. We talk openly about roles so everyone is aligned to support the athlete toward the successful achievement of their goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Parents Only

What is my role as a parent in the recruiting process?

Parents play an important support role, especially early on. Your athlete will need to be successful in the pool and beyond to swim in college. Parents can help with organization, managing deadlines, attending campus visits and making crucial decisions. At the same time, college coaches expect the athlete to lead communication and decision-making to demonstrate their readiness to compete at the next level. Part of recruiting is helping your swimmer grow into that responsibility.

Should parents contact college coaches directly?

In most cases, no. College coaches want to build relationships directly with athletes. Parent outreach can sometimes slow the process or send the wrong signal. I help families understand when parent involvement is helpful and when it is better to let the athlete lead.

How can I best support my swimmer?

Support comes from helping your swimmer stay organized, asking good questions, and keeping expectations realistic. Recruiting is not linear. Timelines can shift, programs may change, and your swimmer's expectations and goals may evolve, depending on when you start this process. Staying patient, positive, and focused on development makes a big difference.

What if my swimmer is unsure or lacks confidence?

That is common. Part of advising is helping athletes gain clarity and confidence through understanding where their performance level is a fit and managing those expectations. Confidence grows when athletes understand where they stand and what steps matter next to pursue their goals.

Is college recruiting advising worth it if my swimmer is not a top recruit?

Yes! College recruiting advising is often most helpful for athletes who are not obvious top recruits, or are not obvious "early" recruits. Understanding realistic options, timelines, and pathways can reduce stress and prevent missed opportunities.

Let's Talk Swim