Hi all,
I’m currently a 6’1"/6’0" a little under 160 pound junior with a 6:43.2 2k (that I hope to improve to sub-6:36 this week), a 2200 SAT (also taking the ACT), and GPA’s of 2.75, 3.3, 3.8 unweighted (with the mitigating factors of a transfer from homeschooling to an extremely competitive prep school (9th) and a serious illness (10th), for which I have a note from the doctor treating me on my transcript, advising that my grades for most of the year were pretty badly affected). What do I have to do to get support for my shaky GPA (I’m looking at the Ivies, notably Penn, Cornell, and Princeton)? In short, do I have a shot? I’ve already started emailing coaches.
I think if you get to a sub 6:36 you are certainly in range, but only the coaches can say for sure, as it depends on who else they are talking to. Definitely email them and ask. They will ask about your academics so they will also tell you if your numbers are in the right place (have you checked your AI? there are calculators you can use).
from my experience with lightweight rowing, everything is kind of random because the coaches have different recruiting strategies. Some coaches like rowers with lots of medals at prestigious regattas, and others seem to like somewhat less experienced, possibly even undertrained rowers who are top athletes in other sports. You need to get in touch with them, and if they don’t reply at first, be pleasantly persistent. Also, can your school college counselor help? If you have rowing at your school, your counselor should know something about rowing recruitment, too.
Good luck on the 2k this week! 'tis the season…
This is a different question, but about lightweight rowing, so I’ll add it here.
My son is a junior, 5-10, 150 lbs., just got his 2k under 7:00. Nothing special as far as rowing goes, though we’re in the northeast and his team’s season is spring only, not getting on water until late March, and concluding in mid-May. But he’s #1 in his class, 35 ACT, above a 4.0 unweighted - also captain of another sport, so he has a realistic chance at HYP (recognizing that it’s a crap shoot for everyone).
Do you think it’s worth contacting a coach at HYP, letting them know he plans to walk on? He is excited about joining a dedicated, year-round program and seeing how he might improve. And I wonder if the coach would maybe send a note to Admissions - certainly not using up on of his slots - but just enough to indicate some interest that might help lead to an acceptance for an otherwise qualified applicant.
On a related note, does anyone have insight into the 2k times of guys who become successful walk-ons at lightweight programs?
Quite frankly, I would seriously work on the erg score. No harm in contacting the coach. They will recruit until the very last minute senior year.
In terms of walk-ons, it’s hard to say. There are kids who came from other sports and will pull a 6:30 the first time they sit on an erg (e.g. cyclists, speed skaters, swimmers come to mind).
Being a walk on doesn’t help anything because the only help at an Ivy is to be a supported athlete. Some teams may not even take walk ons. But I would contact the coach and try to be a recruited athlete. You never know what piece they need to complete the puzzle.
Hi all,
Just wanted to let you know that I went 6:33.9 (1:38.4 avg. split) on my 2k; I’m looking forward to getting deeper into the recruiting process. Thanks for all your advice!
That’s great! Contact the coaches with a brief email, time, height, weight, GPA, SAT, and they’ll be in contact pretty quickly. Look at their web site and start with, Congrats on the recent win at Goldwaith Vogel cup or whatever.
You know that the test scores count double the GPA on their Academic Index, right?
Have you taken subject tests?
@baltimoreguy, your son has great academic stats and since he is only 150 I think lowering that 2k will attract some attention. Can he train this summer? HYP will give away the OVs starting in July/August and he needs to be more in the 6:40 range, I suspect, to get a spot. I don’t know about Y but from what I recall P does not do letters of recommendation (I think) but H does, if they run out of slots. Still no guarantees, though–you would have to apply scea and you could end up not getting in, but if he’s a strong candidate even without recruitment, then I think the letter helps.
Thanks for the advice @LivesinHobbiton
There’s no way he’s going to get into the 6:40 range by late summer (if ever!). As soon as Stotes ends, he is going to start training for his fall sport. I think he’s just going to have to apply on his merits, and then see if he ends up in a spot with a lightweight program - though I’m pretty sure all lightweight programs accept walk-ons. With only 8 or s slots, they need walk-ons just to field boats.