Rowing scholarships can significantly reduce college tuition costs. However, securing one is not a guarantee. It all depends on how much money the team has in its athletic budget, and how coaches distribute it among athletes.
To maximize scholarship opportunities, recruits must possess standout grades and test scores, meet 2k standards for top tier colleges and be proactive in their recruitment. NCSA Recruiting Coaches are available to help students and their families plan their recruiting journey.
High School Performance
College coaches look for high school athletes with a combination of athletic talent and academics. Rowing requires a lot of hard work and dedication, and top athletes often have great academic records to go with their athletic prowess. In order to receive a full or partial athletic scholarship, an athlete must have outstanding test scores and grades, meet the 2k standard for elite rowing programs and be proactive in reaching out to coaches.
The first thing a recruit needs to do is impress the coach with their abilities on the water. This means being on the top of your class and participating in multiple regattas (rowing races) per season. Having a good portfolio of photos and videos will also help. Since most college coaches won’t be able to watch recruits in person, video footage is crucial for gauging an athlete’s skill level. A competitive 2k erg score is also important.
Once a coach is interested in a recruit, they will start doing some desk research to get to know the recruit better. They will look at the athlete’s online academic portfolio, their SAT/ACT scores and GPA, and even check out social media to begin to develop a picture of the recruit as a person.
At this point, the coach may decide to send an email inviting the recruit to attend a recruiting camp or clinic. They will ask the recruit for some recruitment questionnaires and start to make a list of possible recruits for their team.
If the recruitment process is going well, an athlete will want to consider working with a recruiting agency. These companies can help a student-athlete navigate the college athletics landscape and ensure that their recruitment is handled with integrity.
For female athletes, it is much easier to land a scholarship for rowing than it is for many other sports. This is because colleges try to balance the funding for their men’s and women’s sports evenly, so they tend to offer more scholarships to women’s rowers than other popular college athletics such as football or basketball. However, male athletes still have a chance to secure scholarships for rowing, as most schools offer varsity programs and have financial aid budgets that can support a few top recruits.
Online Athlete Profile
Rowing scholarships can cover a significant amount of your college tuition costs or even completely cover them. These opportunities are typically reserved for top recruits, but every year the NCAA disburses over a quarter million dollars in scholarship money to rowers. Getting your piece of the pie is a matter of making yourself a desirable recruit and being proactive in your recruiting.
Whether you are an elite athlete or just starting to build your skills, getting on the radar of college coaches is vitally important. You can do this by emailing them directly, filling out their recruitment questionnaires, or attending their camps and clinics. You can also use a recruiting agency like Athlete Plus to assist you.
If you have a high enough 2k ERG score and meet the academic requirements of the schools that interest you, then it is time to start reaching out. Many college coaches have a limited number of spots for athletes on their teams, and they will prioritize those who are the best fit athletically and academically.
The college application process is a lot of work, but it is well worth it when you have the opportunity to attend your dream school for free. It is also a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills and learn how to get along with people of diverse backgrounds. The team atmosphere of a college rowing program is something that is truly unique and memorable.
A good way to ensure your application has a shot at being accepted is to include an impressive essay. In addition, having an excellent GPA and SAT/ACT scores is crucial. If your grades and test scores are not up to par, then you will likely not be able to compete at the college level in your sport or even be admitted into the university of your choice.
The most important thing to remember is that your athletic and academic abilities must both be exceptional for you to receive a scholarship. In the case of women’s rowing, this is especially true. While there are a handful of rowers that earn full scholarships to attend college, most have to find some sort of financial assistance to cover their tuition. Luckily, this is becoming less of a problem as more colleges add their own women’s rowing programs and the sport continues to gain popularity among female athletes.
Reaching Out to Coaches
Having a strong rowing resume is the first step toward earning a college scholarship, and it starts with reaching out to coaches. This is best done through an online recruiting profile that includes your erg times, competition results, and other important information. Additionally, the profile can be used to communicate with coaches directly through messages and video calls.
As part of the recruiting process, coaches will review an athlete’s erg times, competition results, GPA and SAT/ACT scores, height, weight and more. Depending on these factors, the coach may contact the athlete or send a questionnaire asking about academic goals and interests, sport history, strengths, weaknesses and what kind of financial aid they need to attend school.
For athletes hoping to compete at the Division 1 level, it is critical that their academic history and SAT/ACT scores are high enough to meet university admission requirements and earn them an athletic scholarship. Athletes that fall short of these thresholds will only be able to compete for a club team in the NAIA.
The average athletic scholarship at the top men’s rowing colleges is approximately $6,000 a year. This amount can cover a large portion of an athlete’s college tuition. It is worth noting, however, that many athletes do not receive an athletic scholarship and instead have their entire tuition covered by a combination of need-based and academic scholarships.
When a coach reaches out to you, it is important that you respond as quickly as possible. Additionally, it is important to be respectful and polite, as this is how you will be portrayed in the eyes of the coach. Finally, take every opportunity to visit schools that you are interested in. This is an opportunity for the coach to size you up in person, and it is also a chance for you to see if the school feels like a good fit. During these “official” visits, the coach will cover all of your expenses, including meals and hotel stays. This is a great way to help make the decision making process easier. However, only go on official visits with schools that you are seriously considering.
Academics
Rowing is a sport that often requires the highest level of academic achievement, as many of the best teams are found at prestigious colleges and universities. This fact makes securing a rowing scholarship highly competitive, as recruits need to have both top athletic performance and excellent grades and standardized test scores.
As a result, it’s important to make sure that recruiting begins early in high school. Athletes should research schools and build a target list of colleges, actively reach out to coaches, attend rowing camps, and create a highlight video if the coaching staff has requested one. Additionally, athletes should regularly check with the college’s athletic department to learn about specific recruitment guidelines for their programs.
Prior rowing experience can be helpful, but it’s not always necessary to secure a college scholarship. Many top collegiate rowing programs have recruited freshmen and sophomores who were completely new to the sport and were able to make the team because of their commitment and dedication. However, if a student wants to increase his or her chances of receiving a rowing scholarship, it’s important to work with an NCSA recruiting coach who can help the athlete find the right fit and manage the recruitment process.
While rowing scholarships are highly competitive, it is possible for athletes to secure a significant amount of financial aid. In most cases, this will be combined with academic scholarships and other forms of financial aid. As with any college application, it’s important to take the time to research schools and fill out applications thoroughly. Additionally, it’s a good idea to get the assistance of a college admissions counselor, who can provide valuable insight and advice.
Although the road to securing a rowing scholarship can be a long and challenging journey, it’s one that can be well worth the effort. By doing the right research, building a strong online profile, reaching out to coaches, attending camps and clinics, and maintaining high grades and standardized test scores, students can significantly improve their chances of becoming a college athlete. With the help of an NCSA recruiting specialist, the process can be made much less stressful and more manageable.