Tips for Effective College Recruitment
- Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Your guidance counselor should have the necessary paperwork. Registration with the Clearinghouse eases the process of setting up an official visit, and is the first step towards getting cleared to compete as a college athlete.
- Take the SAT your junior year. Retake the SAT your senior year. Often you will see improvement. Admissions will look only at your highest scores.
- Practice taking the SAT, either on your own or in a preparatory program. While test scores are not the only factor in the admissions process, the reality is that they play a key role.
- Prepare a rowing resume including height, weight, erg scores, and rowing success. Also include coaches’ name and phone number or email.
- Have your coach call, email, or write a letter on your behalf.
- Ask your coach to videotape you at practice. Even just two or three minutes of you rowing can be helpful to a college coach. Once you have keyed in on the schools you are most interested in, it can be helpful to give a copy of this tape to these coaches. As the collegiate season overlaps with the scholastic season, most college coaches are not able to see as many prospective athletes row on the water as they might like, so videotaping is very important.
- Visit schools in the summer or fall. See the campus, meet with professors and students, attend classes and observe practice. Call ahead of time to schedule an appointment with the Admissions Office for an on-campus interview. Take a campus tour. Meet with a coach.
- Choose the school that is right for you. You should decide a school based on an informed knowledge of the entire atmosphere on campus. Rowing is an important aspect of your college experience, but it is not the only aspect.
By planning early, you will have a clearer idea of what you want from your collegiate experience, and you will be better prepared to present yourself as a strong candidate. If you decide on your first choice, I strongly recommend that you apply EARLY DECISION.