Rowing in College Questions

Question
Hi, I have a set of questions that have been popping into my mind recently. I'm part of a good school that competes in many high level junior rowing events like the Head of the Charles in the fall and Nationals/Regionals in the spring. I have a good record on the team.
My first question is:
1. What are some good lightweight schools? I've seen many colleges with a crew program, but which schools could I apply to that have a lightweight program.
2. How much can crew affect admissions? I have a 3.3 weighted GPA, so I know I'm not getting into a Ivy league just on rowing, but there are some schools that are just slightly out of my reach that I hope I can get to.
3. How should I contact coachs of college crews I'm interested in? When should I?
4. If I can't find a good lightweight program (I've noticed that many colleges with them are Ivies), should I consider a college that has open weight programs instead? I worry that I might not be able to compete.
Thanks.


Answer
Hi Nick: Good Question.  Allow me to answer to the best of my knowledge --

1. What are some good lightweight schools? I've seen many colleges with a crew program, but which schools could I apply to that have a lightweight program.  

Answer: The best college lightweight crews are any of your Ivy League schools (with Cornell and Dartmouth the best), the Naval Academy, Georgetown, and MIT.  Some smaller schools with good programs are Delaware and Fordham.  On the West Coast, Cal Berkely is strong.  Many schools with crews have lightweight programs.  However, there are also schools that compete in heavyweight/open only.  Further research with specific programs is the only way to find out.  Use the link below to help you out in your research:

http://www.rowinglinks.com/usa/colleges/

2. How much can crew affect admissions? I have a 3.3 weighted GPA, so I know I'm not getting into a Ivy league just on rowing, but there are some schools that are just slightly out of my reach that I hope I can get to.

Answer: Now, more than ever, good colleges want to see more on a candidates resume than good grades and SATs.  Participation in a sport like crew, coupled with good grades, tells a college admissions officer that you are disciplined, possess good character, and have more potential to succeed in a rigorous academic program than a candidate who did not play sports.

3. How should I contact coachs of college crews I'm interested in? When should I?

Answer: Again I would check the links listed below.

http://www.rowinglinks.com/usa/colleges/

I would wait until your junior year to seriously start your college search.

Finding a good rowing program should parallel your search for a good college.  First, you want to find what colleges have academic programs that interest you. When you come up with a short list of colleges, research their college rowing programs' websites thoroughly.  They will have e-mail addresses for the freshman or lightweight coaches if you want to ask them questions. You can also find out what programs are offered (open, lightweight, freshman, pairs), whether scholarships are offered, etc.

Almost all crew websites have online forms (some centralized via the college's athletic department). Those without questionnaires or forms should provide email addresses to write to the coach to signal your interest. Your initial email or letter is your opportunity to make a good first impression. In it, give your height and weight, erg scores, which side(s) you row, the number of years you have been part of your high school or club rowing program, and list some notable results, especially any big regattas such as your  Head of the Charles race.  Also give your SAT scores, your GPA, class rank, as well as your coach's and guidance counselor's contact information.

When the coach writes back, he will probably send you additional materials and information, as well as suggestions for dates for recruitment visits. In some sports, the trend is that college coaches are asking to see videos.

Whenever a coach contacts you, respond promptly. Recruitment can be a time-consuming headache, for coaches, and full of uncertainty. Help the recruitment process by submitting information, applications, materials, etc. on or before the due dates at every stage. This will be seen as advance indicators of your organization and self-discipline, and thus of your future coachability. Make yourself easy to recruit, and you will be.


4. If I can't find a good lightweight program (I've noticed that many colleges with them are Ivies), should I consider a college that has open weight programs instead? I worry that I might not be able to compete.

Answer: Based on your rowing record, it seems like you would be an asset to a crew team regardless of whether it is a lightweight or heavyweight program.  You need to set priorities and ensure you pick a school with an academic program that meets your needs with a crew team to boot, and not solely on the basis of the crew program.  There are no professional rowers.

Don't worry about not being able to compete.  I weighed 145 lbs and rowed heavyweight for 3 years in college.  You can always consider bulking up with weights and diet if you are going to commit to heavyweight rowing.

Good Luck/AP