College Recruiting Tips

There are Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, and Club rowing programs. Many are in their building stages. Others have been around for 100 years. Note: Due to Title IX many women's college club teams became NCAA sports with a scholarship budget. Most men's programs are club sports, and do not offer scholarships, but some do!

Remember: Step 1: Choose a school for its academics.

Step 2: Commit to an athletic program.
 

Here is a timeline that will help you through the college recruitment process. You can also attend a USRowing recruiting seminar or fair for more information.

Fall of Junior Year
Complete the NCAA requirements.
When registering for the SAT or ACT, select the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse as one of the institutions to which the test scores should be sent (code 9999 in 2003).
Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, irow.com, concept2.com.
After September 1st of a rower's junior year coaches can begin sending letters, information, and emails, however, they cannot talk to rowers and families.
 

Winter of Junior Year
Work hard during winter training.
Attend indoor rowing championships such as the CT Indoor Rowing Championships, Crash B's in Boston, and Ergomania (www.usrowing.org).
Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, irow.com, concept2.com.
Get noticed: email coaches, send letter of interest, fill out online recruiting forms, request materials, show enthusiasm for participation in the program. Give your name, address, phone number, and email address.
 

Spring of Junior Year
Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, irow.com, concept2.com.
Sign-up for summer rowing camps (US Rowing Development Camp and US Rowing National Selection Camp (invite only).
Put together a rowing resume and send to coaches. Include contact information, rowing qualifications, experience, scores, height, weight, academic qualifications, other activities, internships, etc.
Make a rowing video and send to coaches - coaches like to see technique (can be done during a practice). Some schools want video of an erg test. See your coach to set this up.
 

Summer after Junior Year
Attend rowing camps (private, collegiate, US Rowing Invitational, Select).
Prepare college entrance applications.
Beginning July 1st after completing the junior year in school, coaches may make one telephone call per week, rower can call coach at any time.
Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, irow.com, concept2.com.
 

Fall of Senior Year
Make a short list of colleges you want to seriously consider.
Schedule and attend official visits. Beginning September 1st of rower's senior year, the rower may make an official visit (1 per college - 5 colleges total) and college pays expenses of the visit. Official visits may not last more than 24 hours on campus, transportation not usually covered, parents' expenses not covered. SAT or ACT scores must be on file unless already filed with NCAA clearinghouse, schedule time to see a team practice.
No more than three visits during the recruiting process are allowed with the coach. Rower can make unofficial school visits to campus at any time, coach can meet with rower if it is after July 1st.
Receive scholarship offers.
Negotiate scholarships if possible (don?t be too pushy).
Decide which college/university you will attend.

Make a verbal commitment to school, sign letter of intent (binding contract).
 

Winter of Senior Year
Fill out and send in financial aid applications using parents' tax forms.
Work hard during winter training.
 

Spring of Senior Year
Continue to work hard. Coaches will be in touch with your school and your coach making sure you stay on track.
Letters of Recommendation
See you guidance counselor for an appropriate timeline for college recommendations.
Please ask your coach far in advance if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you.