Summer Rowing Camps?

Question
My daughter is a junior in HS.  She is a runner but very interested in rowing in college.  I rowed at Univ of Washington and her dad rowed at U Penn.  She would like to apply to Penn, but probably not quite at the top. HOWEVER, if a coach wants her, she has a chance...Is it worth $1000+ to send her to the UPenn rowing camp in the summer?  Do you think it might help her get noticed by coach?

My son basically would have gotten into Penn if he told the running coach that was his #1, but it wasn't/ So I know what coaches can do.

Any idea what it is like to get scholarships at UW for rowing?

Take any advice.

tm

Answer
Hi Tina: Ivy League schools like Penn have tough admissions standards.  She really need to be in the top of her class, with an SAT of 2000 or better to have a reasonable chance to make it into Penn.  

While Ivy league schools like candidates to have extracurricular activities on their resume, a coach really can't do much if the grades aren't there.  Perhaps, if your daughter was stroking the varsity eight for her high schools crew team and the school had a strong program, a coach may provide an input when the admissions selection committee is in session.  But a rank novice, like your daughter, is not likely to get that level of attention.

Attending the rowing camp could help her get a coach's attention, but these camps are just going to be teaching the basics.  If you live in the Philadelphia area, and her school does not have crew, I's suggest she join one of the rowing clubs on Boathouse Row like the Philadelphia Girl's Rowing Club or even Vesper.  Her track experience helps since rowing is a high-endurance sport.  You might want to have her go on an ergometer and try a 2000 meter piece to see how she stacks up with other women her age.

In general, without a lot of rowing experience, it's not realistic to think your daughter can get a rowing scholarship.  The U. of Washington is a very competitive program and they are really looking at race-tested high school rowers.  Of course, your daughter could always get accepted to a college with crew and join the team as a walk-on.

I Wish Her The Best/AP