<p>I’ve read through most of the posts in the this thread and I’m quite impressed with your posts. You seem very knowledgeable about not only the way collegiate fencing works, but also the current state of affairs.</p>
<p>I can say this confidently because I’m a (relatively) recent graduate of Penn State (2007) and member of the fencing team from 2002-2006. It is refreshing to see someone on CC that actually knows what they are talking about, and is willing to share the details.</p>
<p>I seemed to have gathered that you were a sabre fencer, but I am curious though, where and when did you fencing in college? And are you competing and/or coaching now?</p>
<p>Just looking for some background in case I have some more detailed questions.</p>
<p>Not a fencer or coach; just an involved parent. Pehaps too involved, I’m an officer in the sport’s governing body and a volunteer referee. As a fencer yourself, I’m sure you can appreciate the difficulty a non-fencer can have with blade action and right-of-way.</p>
<p>Well, given you’re level of expertise without having actually fenced I appreciate your dedication. And yes, I can also understand how difficult ROW can be for a non-fencing referee. Last year I took a handful of our students (mostly in HS at the time) to a referee clinic, along with one of the parents. Despite being the highest rated fencers taking the exam that day, WE all failed the exam. Two of those students have since passed the test and been observed and certified. But every time they ask that parent to referee at the club (despite his 7+ years watching his son (and wife) fence) he defers to someone else whenever possible.</p>
<p>Also, did you’re son or daughter fence in college? And if so, where?</p>
<p>Just got my SAT’s back (2390 - absolutely ecstatic!) so now I guess the final major piece of my academic puzzle has been put into place. From my outside research and Sherpa’s absolutely magnificent help in this thread (cannot thank you enough, honestly), I feel like I’m now going to set my sights on HYP recruitment (I would go for the other Ivy’s as well, but I’m not confident in their financial aid ability). My next course of action is probably going to talk with my coach for his insight into this entire process, as we send many NCAA fencers each year, but in my almost six years of fencing, he has not mentioned it once to me. Now, I guess, either way, I’m going to start contacting coaches.</p>
<p>Just want to thank everyone again in this thread - you all have made this process much more understandable and concrete for me, and I’d be completely lost right now without all of you (I talked to my high school counselors about fencing recruitment - they’d never even heard of the sport - eek!).</p>
<p>@ ihs76: It’s interesting, I personally know at least 6 fencers with perfect scores (4 current seniors, 2 current college freshmen). And those are just the ones I know!</p>
<p>Also, to repeat what ATastyBurger said, the parents on this board are incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, and generous (especially Sherpa!) and are a real asset to the fencing community. I really encourage any aspiring collegiate fencer to ask whatever questions he/she may have. Further, I’d like to throw my name into the ring if anyone wants advice from a fencer who’s just gone through the recruitment process–feel free to PM me about programs, coaches, or the process in general.</p>
<p>"Can anyone clarify if AI is calculated using weighted or unweighted GPA? Thanks! "</p>
<p>Unweighted, I believe. When in doubt, it’s usually unweighted, because weight differs from school to school.</p>
<p>Anyway, hello again to everyone! I’m thankful for all the advice and experience relayed in this thread, and it has really helped guide me (and I imagine quite a few others) through this process. But, I must say, I’ve been slacking on a lot of your advice. I haven’t yet contacted many coaches, and though guidelines for communication have been outlined in this thread, I have some more specific questions.</p>
<p>First, is email or phone a better form of communication? I feel now that it should be a matter of personal preference, but perhaps there is a certain “rule” as to how recruitment should occur?</p>
<p>Second, when I send an introductory letter/email/phone call, I’ll obviously include information on my academic/fencing accomplishments. However, I’m torn as to how detailed this “resume” should be. Do I just mention the “highlights” (and provide other info upon query)? Or do I outline everything like a proper resume?</p>
<p>Thanks so much to everyone for your help, and I hope that the information throughout this thread helps those in smaller sports like fencing for which there isn’t too much help online.</p>
<p>First of all, don’t worry about your timing. You’re in a great position for recruiting and you haven’t missed anything, timing-wise.</p>
<p>July 1st is the first date that coaches can begin reaching out to rising seniors. From our experience, you shouldn’t expect to hear from coaches then, though. The real recruiting season begins (and in some cases ends) at Summer Nationals. I’d recommend putting a fairly standard resume together and emailing to a select group of coaches. The resume should be just one page and cover the basics:</p>
<p>Name and contact info (mailing address, phone, email)
Academic summary: class rank, GPA, test scores, number of APs, maybe AP scores
Fencing summary: weapon, left or right hand, USFA rank and rating, notable results, maybe coach contact info.
Anything else that distinguishes you as an applicant.</p>
<p>In your email you might suggest that you try to meet at Nationals. I’d also follow up with phone calls, and I’d bring additional copies of your resume to Nationals.</p>
<p>Have you narrowed down your list of schools?</p>
<p>ATastyBurger, I can send you a copy of my resume if you want to PM me your email address. As to the means by which to first communicate with coaches, there’s no concrete rule but I would guess that email is probably more typical. I agree with Sherpa on everything else :)</p>
<p>What a great thread! I hope Sherpa and other knowledgeable posters are still checking this thread for questions. I have a follow up question:</p>
<p>I’m a parent of a 7 year old here in Orange County, CA, and he is showing an interest in fencing. Obviously, we’re hoping that he really takes to the sport so that he can have a skill to leverage into a scholarship in 10 years. We are looking for a sport that he can really embrace and excel in for the next 10 years, and it appears fencing fits his personality and interests. </p>
<p>Are there any programs in the north OC area we should enroll him in that is friendly to youngsters his age? Thanks.</p>
<p>Hi- can anyone here provide an update on the fencing program at Stanford and fencing at Columbia U. (with new coach this season)? We are esp. interested in epee and foil. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>OCPika–this thread won’t help you. You need to look in your area for elementary age childrens programs. A lot changes in 10 years. Best advice, read regulary to your child. Allow him/her to explore lots of things and to experience life as a child. Travel. Swim. So much ahead of him/her that trying to pick a sport now for a scholarship is wrong in so many ways. Breath!</p>
<p>Jamberry–if you are in the sport …and interested…and follow it–you will find the info you need. This is your first post…??</p>
<p>I agree with fogfog. My kid is currently a two sport athlete in high school, and before she landed in the sports she is now, she explored Gymnastics, Lacrosse and Soccer. Loved all of those things and then gave them up to participate in two entirely new sports. </p>
<p>If she had just started with the two she plays, I doubt if she would be as passionate. It is great for kids to try EVERYTHING they are passionate about. </p>
<p>We also allowed our kids to tell us when they wanted to move on to another sport or activity. At a certain point, they told us when they wanted to elevate their interest in something, and we ran with that. </p>
<p>Deciding today what sport your child will go for a scholarship in is very, very premature. </p>
<p>Slow down and let your kid try fencing if he/she wants. But also let them explore other things. And please enjoy your kids’ childhood. They grow up so fast!</p>
<p>As a coach, and a former member of an NCAA Fencing team, I can tell you that, while allowing your kids to try many different activities is a great concept, I don’t think you should be planning on your child having a fencing scholarship unless they have roughly 8-10 years of fencing experience, and a coach that knows what they are doing.</p>
<p>I think that also goes for other sports too. I see naive parents all the time that ask about scholarships, as if just participating in a sport is a free ride to college. I’m not trying to point any fingers here, but relaying my experience.</p>
<p>If your child wants to start fencing, allow them to try it for a few weeks, and see what happens. If they decide they live it, keep them going once a week, for about a year. If they still like it, keep them consistent until they enter middle school. At roughly age 10, they can start competing.</p>
<p>Just to issue a final update, I ended up committing to Stanford’s team, and just got accepted REA. Thank you to everyone in this thread for your expansive, wonderful help (another shoutout to sherpa!), and I wish the best of luck to future athletes. This forum is truly an amazing resource.</p>
but I didn’t know they were <em>that</em> smart.</p>