<p>I'm a high school junior in Canada, and just started rowing this year. I really enjoy it but I've gotten a pretty late start, know what the options are in terms of rowing at Dartmouth for a walk-on? I row a 7:12 erg which I know is pretty ****ty, but I'm going to be working on improving it over the summer and throughout next year.</p>
<p>I didn't row at Dartmouth, but my impression is that ivy league schools have a policy of pretty much not having cuts for the first year. They just have more freshman boats. The top people are in the first boat, of course, and many of those guys had experience. The first boats of each college row against each other in races, as do the second boats, etc...</p>
<p>I know guys at Harvard and Princeton who rowed and who had zero experience before college. Crew is grueling enough that people won't stick around unless they are decent at it.</p>
<p>Just a tip: I read somewhere that an 8 week weight program designed for rowing significantly improved erg scores. There was a scientific study done. I forget the actual numbers, but it was substantial. I think that alone could help you get under 7:00.</p>
<p>I think rowing is pretty walk on friendly, as I've had friends join rowing teams around the ivies, but who knows. it might be a lot more competetive if you weigh under 160, I think Dartmouth won Eastern Sprints in the lightweight category, which equates to the national championships. Worst comes to worse, you can try it, and if it doesn't seem fun, just drop out</p>
<p>very open to walk-ons, but lots of people drop it quickly because frankly, rowing practices, no matter where, are hell.</p>