I’m a female high school senior who is currently finishing up with college apps and was told recently that I’d make a good coxswain because of my size (I’m 5’0", 105 lbs). I’m also pretty loud, so yelling won’t be an issue for me, but I have no way of training, as the closest crew program is located over an hour away from me (it’s not exactly ideal). My only other high school athletic experience is track & field, where I ran sprints and hurdles. Is there a way in which I can tell the 2 private schools I’m applying to – Duke and Vanderbilt – that I’m interested? I have a semi-decent GPA and good test scores and was hoping this could potentially boost my chances of admission. Any help is greatly appreciated.
How can I indicate to colleges that I'm interested in rowing despite not having any prior experience
Once you are in college you may well be a fantastic cox! Unfortunately, to be recruited you already have to be doing your sport and have a record showing you are really good at it (and then have to be in touch with coaches etc). So for purposes of admission, your interest won’t help. However, let me recommend “The Boys In The Boat” for a page turner involving rowing!
With no experience rowing in HS, this is not going to boost your admission. There is a lot more to being a coxswain than size.
That said, you could see if there is a club team if you are interested in the sport once you get to college.
Darn. Thanks for the advice though. 
My sister never rowed before college, but once in, she got on a club team that ended up competing in some pretty cool regattas, including Head of the Charles. Granted that was a long time ago, but there are probably opportunities out there.
Others are correct in saying it won’t be an admissions boost for you. If it is something you want to do, however, definitely give it a try. My sister made some great friends and had a lot of good times, and would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Hi there. Rowing is a fantastic sport and if you get into a school that has a crew team, you should definitely contact the coach and see about walking on, if you are really interested in trying it.
As for any potential boost from a coach in the admissions process, despite what you may have heard, that is an unequivocal “no” in this situation.
A) Recruiting for the current senior class is largely over.
B) Cox recruiting is highly competitive and requires loads of experience and recordings of your races. Also, top schools would require top grades and scores, no leniency for a Cox. Great ones are often smart as a whip.
C) Vanderbilt is a club team (I believe) meaning there is no recruiting pull for athletes with admissions.
D) Duke is a top 25 crew team and their cox recruiting would be highly competitive. Potential recruits would have experience at the most competitive races and venues.
E) Just FYI, you don’t actually yell as a Cox. You have a microphone and actually must remain pretty composed to give rowers the technical info to improve performance in the boat and make them aware of what’s happening in the race.
That being said, almost every college team at every level would welcome a walk on who has a great attitude and is willing to work hard and learn.
Try it if you get the chance!
My daughter was a gymnast throughout high school but decided that she wanted to try crew in college. I agree that it’s no admissions bump, but mentioning it in your interview or as one of the many things you’d love to participate in on campus in a “why x” essay couldn’t hurt! She did contact her school’s club captains during her senior year and got all the info about the team, and kept in contact until she arrived on campus (same for gymnastics- she does both). She participated in her first regatta in October and loved it!
First of all, good luck with your admissions! I hope you receive great news soon!
My D20 is coxswain who was recruited. She submitted race recordings, practice recordings and spent seemingly hours on the phone with coaches. I think she was successful because she is incredibly organized, always responded to coaches in a timely manner, had solid grades and race performances.
I suggest when you finally choose your school, reach out to the coaches and convey to them your interest and how despite your lack of rowing experience, you can contribute. Talk about any leadership roles you have had, projects you have done that required you to be self-directed etc. My daughters school has walk-ons every year, coxswains included. Remember you can cox for either male or female teams, so cast a wide net. Good luck!
Where did you decide to attend college? I know some girls who were walk-on coxswains with no experience made it on lower tiered rowing schools.
Like others said above, competitive schools like Duke have large numbers of top tier coxswains with a lot of experience.
Pro Tip: Avoid Photoshop & advisers with initials RS. 
@Publisher First thing i thought of!