Beyond Nichols: Rowing in College

There are many opportunities for athletes to continue rowing at the collegiate level and beyond.  College coaches are always interested in motivated athletes that demonstrate rowing experience, good technical skills, erg scores, and qualifying academics.  A college recruitment session is held at WSRC every year. The following timeline will help you with the college recruitment process. 

Fall of Junior Year: 

• Complete the NCAA recruiting form found at www.ncaa.org .

• Register for NCAA clearing house (www.ncaa.org). 

• 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. 

• Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, www.irow.com , www.concept2.com

• College coaches cannot talk to rowers and families until after July 1st of Junior year, but may answer emails, so contact coaches of schools you are interested in via email.

Winter of Junior Year: 

• Work hard during winter training. 

• Compete in indoor rowing ergattas. 

• Keep scores current on web sites.

• Get noticed: email coaches, send letters of interest, fill out online recruiting forms, and request materials! Be sure to always include your name, address, phone # and email address. 

  
  

Summer after Junior year: 

• Keep scores current on web sites. 

• Contact coaches at schools to which you intend to apply. 

• Prepare college application.

• Attend rowing camps and national competitions. 

Fall of Senior Year: Crunch time! 

• Make a short list of colleges you want to seriously consider.

• Schedule and attend official visits. Beginning September 1st of a rower's senior year they may make official visits (1 per college, 5 colleges total) and college may pay expenses.  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 any time; a coach can meet with a rower after July 1st. 

• Check NCAA website to verify there has been no regulatory changes. 

• Receive scholarship offers. Negotiate scholarships (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 parent's tax forms. Usually this is done as soon as the parent’s tax forms are completed for the preceding year. 

Spring of Senior Year: 

• Continue to work hard. 

• Coaches will be in touch with your school and your coach to make sure you stay on track.