Frequently Asked Questions
Can I know the exact formula?
No, the formula is proprietary to ensure fairness and prevent manipulation. However, the general process described above should give you a good understanding of how your performance translates into a recruiting score. You can learn more about it here.
Why are some events weighted differently?
The weighting reflects the strategic importance of events in college competitions and the varying levels of difficulty in achieving NCAA qualifying times.
Why is my Power Index lower compared to another swimmer with the same times?
Power Indexes are adjusted annually and calculated by recruiting class. Swimmers graduating in different years, such as the Class of 2024 versus the Class of 2023, are compared against different sets of base times. Since these standards generally become faster over time, a younger swimmer with the same times as an older swimmer may have a lower Power Index.
Why is my Power Index missing?
If you notice that your Power Index or rankings haven't updated after you entered new times, there are a couple of common reasons that might explain why:
- Missing Graduation Year - A graduation year is necessary for ranking you within the correct class of swimmers. If it’s missing, log into your account and to add it.
- Insufficient Data - Power Indexes require a minimum of two distinct events.
Why does Swimcloud only show one course (SCY/SCM/LCM) per event?
Swimcloud displays only the course with the highest power index rating for each event. For instance, if your 50 LCM freestyle power index score is higher than your 50 SCY score, Swimcloud will display only the 50 LCM result. This approach ensures your most competitive performance is highlighted, while also allowing four other events to showcase your versatility across different strokes and distances.
Are converted times used for the Power Index?
No. Converted times are not used. The power index has base times for all three courses, SCY, SCM, and LCM. Therefore, no conversion is needed.
Why hasn't my Power Index changed?
If your new times are significantly better, you should see an immediate improvement in your Power Index. If you don’t see a change, it is typically because the changes so minor that any changes are not apparent when the scores are rounded to two decimal places.
Unlike the Power Index, updates to state and national recruit rankings are not immediate. These rankings are recalculated overnight due to the sheer volume of changes that happen every day. After updating your times, please allow until the next day to see adjustments to your rankings. Checking back the next day will provide the most accurate and updated reflection of your standing among peers.
Why don't you include Open Water events in the Power Index score?
Open Water events aren't included in our Power Index calculation because there isn't an NCAA qualifying time. All our Power Indexes are based on NCAA D1 Qualifying Times.
And, it isn't possible to normalize Open Water result times. A 5k in one venue doesn't always relate to a 5k in another venue. Weather and venue conditions vary greatly from race to race. All our Power Indexes are based on NCAA D1 Qualifying Times. For more information, please see our article on Calculating Your Power Index Recruiting Score.
We recommend swimmers contact collegiate coaches directly to advocate for their open-water prowess.