Figure skating doesn't have to stop after high school

Really?

There are opportunities all over the United States for competitive skaters to continue improving their skills, competing, and forming life-long friendships.

Keep scrolling to learn more about collegiate skating.

As a college skater, I made this resource that I wish existed when I was applying to college.

What teams can I join?

Several colleges and universities offer intercollegiate teams for freestyle, dance and pairs, and some offer synchronized skating teams.

For those who would rather skate with a higher-level synchronized skating team, or your college doesn't have a team, many teams at local clubs have junior, senior or adult teams students can skate on.

Most collegiate teams are concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest, but you can find them all across the country. Whether you're looking to attend a huge state school in the midwest, or want to reach for the stars academically and athletically at an Ivy League, there's a college with a skating program that's perfect for you.

What are the rules and definitions for each team?

INTERCOLLEGIATE

Skaters compete in events based on their test levels. Must be full-time students, as defined by their school. Teams attend the three competitions held in their assigned section/conference. The sections are divided up between the Intercollegiate Conference Map as Midwest, Pacific, Northeast and Southeast.

OPEN COLLEGIATE

8-16 skaters, no minimium skating test, non-qualifying competitions under 6.0 judging system.

12-20 skaters, must pass Juvenile MIF test, non-qualifying competitions and Sectionals, opportunity to advance to U.S. Synchro Skating Champs, IJS system using Junior FS rules.

Many skaters on junior and senior teams are also full-time college students. Those student-athletes that meeting the age requirement can compete junior during the first or even second year of higher education.

Full-time students also have the opportunity to skate in the senior division both representing a university or a skating club. Miami University & Adrian College both support senior teams at their institutions, with other schools adding skating to their varsity program. Other student-athletes might skate with a senior team like the Skyliners, Haydenettes, or Crystallettes.

A team of 12-20 skaters. All skaters must be 18 years or older. All skaters must have passed at least one of the following tests: preliminary moves in the field, adult bronze moves in the field, preliminary figure or preliminary dance.

Where can I skate?

This map shows U.S. colleges and universities with skating programs, both intercollegiate teams and synchronized teams. It also includes local teams that have junior and senior teams, as skaters can try out for those teams and skate on them while at area universities.