There are many opportunities for athletes to continue rowing at the collegiate level and beyond. College coaches are always interested in motivated athletes that demonstrate rowing experience, good technical skills, competitive erg scores and qualifying academics.
The Basics- how to start the process (junior year is a great time to start!):
The following timeline will help you know what you should be focusing on each year.
Freshman and Sophomore Year:
Finally, understand that not everyone is recruited. If a school is your dream school- apply! Almost all rowing programs have a walk-on process (try-outs or otherwise). You do not need to be recruited to attend a school and row for that institution- many top athletes were walk-ons- with or without rowing experience. You can still get in touch with coaches, learn about the school and rowing program, and if you are not in the range of what they look for in their recruited athletes, ask about their walk-on process!
Remember to enjoy your high school experience- working hard in the classroom and on the water/erg will create the most opportunities for you!
The Basics- how to start the process (junior year is a great time to start!):
- Research all universities that area interesting to you- both their academics and athletic programs.
- Fill out the school’s recruiting questionnaire. Most found online on their athletic website.
- Write the coach an introductory letter to express your interest in the college (do your research first!). Include a resume and the key information in this email, which includes: Erg Scores, Height, and Weight; Academic information- grades, standardized testing, etc.; What you want to study (if you know!); and Continue to send updates as they become available.
- Visit the college campus on your own whenever possible.
- Be proactive.
- If a school isn’t the right fit for you, don’t be discouraged. There is a fit somewhere for everyone!
The following timeline will help you know what you should be focusing on each year.
Freshman and Sophomore Year:
- Work hard to get the best grades possible.
- Work hard to go the fastest you can on the erg and in the boat.
- Fill out online recruiting questionnaires
- You can call and email college coaches directly, but they cannot call you back and cannot email you back either.
- Register for the NCAA Clearinghouse and compete the amateurism questionnaire
- Register with the College Board (www.collegeboard.com) to take the PSAT, ACT and/or SAT and SAT II subject tests
- Work hard during winter training.
- Get noticed: E-mail coaches, send letters of interest, fill out on-line recruiting forms, and request materials (rowing media guides/programs, admissions information, financial aid information, academic information, summer camp information) if you haven’t already.
- WOMEN: College coaches can start emailing AND calling you any time after September 1st of your junior year. The emails, calls and text messages are unlimited in nature.
- MEN: College coaches can start emailing you any time after September 1st of your junior year.
- Start to narrow down your list of schools.
- Be clear with coaches where their school is on your list- do not lie!
- Make unofficial visits to colleges or universities you are interested in. You can make unofficial school visits to campus any time. Be sure to email the coach ahead of time to schedule a time and place to meet with them when you are on campus!
- If possible, row and race this summer. Or, attend rowing camps at schools you are interested in attending- a great way to work with future coaches.
- MEN: College coaches can start calling you on July 1st following your junior year (prior to senior year).
- WOMEN AND MEN: Off-campus contacts (at a race, your home, your practice, etc) can start on July 1st following your junior year. Before then, in person contact is only permitted when you are on the college’s campus.
- Start to narrow down your list of schools- you should have a top 5 at this point.
- Work with college coaches you are talking with on things such as: Academic pre-reads; Financial aid pre-reads (if applicable); Schedule official visits (invitations will begin during the spring of your Junior year and summer afterwards).
- Make official visits during the fall semester (some may continue through the winter).
- Beginning September 1st of your senior year you can make official visits (1 per college, 5 colleges/universities total). Colleges that invite you for an official visit may pay for expenses including travel, hotel, food & entertainment. Official visits may not last more than 48 hours on campus. You cannot work out with the team with a coach present (tryouts are not allowed). You can work-out on a visit (erg, run, etc). Some coaches may ask you to be evaluated by their athletic trainer.
- You can make unofficial school visits to campus any time on your own.
- Decide to which schools you will apply.
- Many colleges focus on early decision or early action for recruiting. Be sure to ask the coaches what the expectation is- as each program is different.
- If you apply somewhere early, be sure to have a back-up plan in place for regular decision should it become necessary.
- Do not have your parents regularly call the college coach to check on your recruiting status or give a recommendation. Coaches admire athletes who call for themselves to inquire about their status as a future student athlete. Calling the coach personally shows your independence, maturity, and life skills. Do not hesitate to call a college coach at any time during your high school years.
- Always be honest during the process. This includes information like erg scores, grades etc, as well as telling coaches where their school is on your list.
- Be sure to like the school for the academics, location etc, and have its rowing program be what makes it your dream school/top choice! You have to be happy with all aspects of the school for it to be the right fit for you long term.
- Visit schools whenever possible and talk to the athletes!
Finally, understand that not everyone is recruited. If a school is your dream school- apply! Almost all rowing programs have a walk-on process (try-outs or otherwise). You do not need to be recruited to attend a school and row for that institution- many top athletes were walk-ons- with or without rowing experience. You can still get in touch with coaches, learn about the school and rowing program, and if you are not in the range of what they look for in their recruited athletes, ask about their walk-on process!
Remember to enjoy your high school experience- working hard in the classroom and on the water/erg will create the most opportunities for you!