Hey all, 5’5 130 lb girl here.
I recently started rowing, but I figure as a current junior it’s definitely too late for recruitment. I’m like, really new, so I don’t have a 2k time yet either. If I’m unrecruited, would crew as an EC still give a boost, given an otherwise strong application (top 2%, 1550+ SAT, leadership and awards for various EC’s)? I’m short but pretty athletic; swam varsity in middle school and as a freshmen, but quit (still kept in shape and tbh got in way better shape running every morning and weightlifting at night), and from what I can gather, given the need for “promising” rowers, a swimming past and height can be boosts (no height here though 
).
Additionally- the program I am with is very good (produced national champs and many kids go Ivy/Stanford) if “rep” matters, and would my strong academics (1560 SAT and 102 GPA with rig courseload) help?
The general rule is if you aren’t recruited, the sport counts as an EC just like other ECs… Whether an EC is a boost is up to the school. Usually, the school wants to see ALL applicants have interests, not just academics. Those ECs can be athletics, music, art, volunteering, etc.
It is NOT too late to be recruited, but you need to get 2k times.
@twoinanddone Ok, ty! I will eventually get a 2k and actually have my first regatta this week; my coach is just really… conservative with who is able to do a 2k test? Last time she did tests she didn’t have any of the new kids do a test, anyone who had been sick the past month, or anyone who hadn’t been to practice much. It was out of concern for health; she won’t let us outside for a jog without a sweatshirt if its under like 65 degrees haha.
You could be recruited as a lightweight even if your high school doesn’t have enough lightweight rowers to fill a lightweight boat. Most lightweight programs are at highly selective D1 schools (google it), so yes, it will help with admissions. Additionally, D3 programs recruit short rowers!
Reinforcing what others have said: It’s not too late to be recruited.
the original question was would it help with admissions if she WASN’T a recruit. I still think it will not. It’s not too late to be recruited, but just putting ‘rowing’ on an application won’t help in admissions.
Just being realistic here. It’s not too late but it is still very late. As a lightweight woman rower, OP would need roughly a 7:30 2K by early to mid summer to get meaningful attention from top lightweight programs. That’s a hard metric for even a top athlete switching from another sport to meet in a such short amount of time. D3 is a different story but I am not sure what they have for lightweight programs.
@Shiprock1976 Ok thanks, I had just assumed it was way too late. I don’t really think I’m that much of an exceptional athlete, so I’ve pretty much accepted that I won’t be recruited, but I’m still going to give it my best and continue over the summer. Who knows, we’ll see how I do.
Former D1 college rower here: Short answer I would say No. You would need coaches support. The 2k erg score is so fundamental to our sport that not to have one says You haven’t been serious about it. one could get coach’s interest IF you had an amazing erg score as they would assume they could train you to row. However rowing is a leverage sport and your height would be a big disadvantage on the water. I’m old now but my 6’3” would be almost a disadvantage now at my university today!
Btw on the other hand rowing is a wonderful sport and I encourage you to continue it. There are late bloomers too. It’s almost a life long spirt as people row and race into their 80’s. Great community. So keep it up! Your academic credentials are wonderful so I’m sure you are a serious candidate for the top schools. Best of luck.
Maybe walk on coxswain?
I agree without a 2k it indicates you are at novice level and not a candidate for recruiting but you could walk on later. No admissions boost tho…
As @arbitrary99 stated, rowing is an amazing sport and plenty catch the big for the rest of their life!
Good luck…
Our D had already made her college decision and was encouraged by one of her HS coaches to consider rowing in college - even without any rowing experience. Because there are not enough US clubs/programs for colleges to recruit from - although schools do recruit internationally - many colleges rely on their walkon/novice program process to fill their rosters. Our D was a strong athlete, made the novice team as a walk-on and was rowing varsity by second semester of her freshman year at a Top 20 D1 program. You can learn to row - it’s hard work, no doubt! - but coaches love athletes who are willing to work hard and can show improvement. Our D’s experience has been amazing and has really shaped her college years. I would encourage you to find a great fit for college and if you make the rowing team, that’s a happy bonus! Good luck!!
@arbitrary99 @tonymom Yea, like I said I just joined. I intend on doing it anyway for fun. The coach actually approached me and said that a member of the current Varsity team joined the summer right before her senior year and got recruited! She’s my height too. Summer practice is 5 hours a day; everyday, so she said if I work hard during the summer I may have a similar chance. I believe she wants to wait a bit before a 2k test; probably over summer.
I don’t see what the big deal is with a 2k test. An athletic club near here does them all the time. They may not be official times, but good enough to know if you are in the range. My friend runs the spinning and Erg classes there and does them all the time.
@twoinanddone That’s my coaches call; she’s not doing 2k testing right now and the last time she did, she didn’t let any novices pull one. She wouldn’t let anyone new, anyone who had been sick recently, or anyone who hadn’t been to practice recently pull one. I’m not gonna pretend to know what she’s doing (I believe she’ worried about people not being in shape for an optimal one), but she is the coach.
My daughter just finished her freshman year and rows for her school. She’s also been doing a local club since 7th grade. They do 2k ergs all the time for seating placement before races. Good day, bad day, whenever it’s needed. My kids hates the erg as her results are always pretty unimpressive…she’s all of 5 feet and 105 pounds. Yup, she’s destined to be a coxswain and while she’s disappointed, she knows she has to accept that this sport favors tall athletes. Rowing will give you great experience and with your academic stats, you would be ideal to Cox a men’s ivy heavyweight.