Every year, SLRC Junior rowers go on to row in college. Our athletes use their high school rowing career to open doors at selective or personal “reach” schools; some receive full or partial rowing scholarships, while others walk on after they arrive on campus. There are many options available for our rowers and coxswains regardless of size, gender, skill or experience. SLRC Juniors have gone on to row at the following colleges:
College crew coaches often have influence with the admissions office regardless of whether they are a Division I, II, III school, or whether rowing is a varsity or club sport at that school. For example, the Washington University coach has pull in the admissions office, and the UCLA coaches have the power to grant admission to academically qualified applicants. Many admissions officers know the commitment it takes to row and acknowledge this in the application review process, even if the student does not plan to row at their school. For more detailed information on preparing to row in college, please download our College Rowing Guide. This was written by the wife of an old teammate of mine--they both went to Yale. They now live in Pittsburgh, and she does admissions interviews of local kids who’ve applied to Yale. She sheds a lot of light on what really matters when applying to top colleges. Tim Franck Written by Emily Skuban I graduated from Yale, and for many people that means something way more loaded that what it means to me. One of the most amazing things about going to a college where everyone is so very bright is that you are constantly reminded how many people are more talented that you are. It is a very humbling experience. However, I did graduate from Yale, and I graduated with honors, having a GPA of 3.77 (1/10 of a point higher than an A-)-- in college there is no GPA inflation for things like "honors" or "AP" courses. I'm more proud of my within major GPA (3.85). Having said all of this, while I did very well at Yale, there were a many people who graduated with me who did better than I did and were way brighter than I will ever be. That's the best thing about having gone to place like Yale. I've just finished up with my Early Decision Interviews for Yale this year. I really love doing them because I've met some delightful kids who are applying to Yale. It's been useful to help with this process as it has given me a lot more information about what Yale looks for in its applicants. I certainly would never imagine to know the complicated process that goes on in the admissions office. What I have come to learn is that most parents and kids don't understand how to get their children into elite universities. I also realize now how utterly important the college process is for upper-middle class parents (somehow I managed to avoid that realization when I was going through the process itself.) Things I have learned about college admissions process: 1) After your grades, the essay counts for the most. Yes, numbers are important, but see point #2. Usually, they are simply a standardized way to assess how accurate your grades are. The essay is very important: it can make or break your application. It is your one opportunity to say exactly what you want to say about yourself (other than an interview). Say it well! I don't understand why most people spend far more time worrying about utterly useless aspects of the application (see point #3). Sell yourself, let the reader know who you are: without using trite or pithy language please. Use meaningful adjectives. Tell a rich story. 2) Make sure your grades and numbers match. SAT and ACT scores are a way to see how accurate your grades are. They help measure if grade inflation is occurring at your school, or if your school's curriculum is challenging. It is important to get a good score, but make sure that it matches your grades. What if you have C average in school, but 800 across the board on the SAT? It suggests that you are an underachiver. If you put your mind to it, you could do far better than you are currently doing. What if you have an A+ average in school, but score 450 across the board on the SAT? That suggests a couple of different things: a) you put a lot of effort into your classes; b) your classes have major grade inflation; c) the school's curriculum is too easy. Numbers serve a purpose to the applicant by letting the college know how realistic their GPA really is. 3) Extracurriculars are way overrated. This is the one that parents just don't get. You will never get into a top-tier school just because you did 8 activities a year all through high school. In fact, that may have the opposite effect. Unless you are doing amazing things in all 8, it suggests that you have very little depth. For example, I know this utterly brillant guy (who went to Harvard) who did about 8 activities, and exceled at all of them. He played the piano, and had won state and national competitions. He was first violin in his HS orchestra, which also won state competitions. He was captain of the debate team, and had an amazing track record filled with awards. He was president of the Math Team, and had won the state competitions for several years, etc., etc. He was on the track team, and he did indeed partipate and win at big competitions. Yes, clearly all of his extracurriculars mattered-- he had awards and achievements to back them up. He invested himself in all of those actitivites, and his commitment showed. Depth matters more than breadth. It is umimpressive to talk to a kid who has involved him/herself in every possible activity, but puts no effort forward in any of them. Beyond, "I did track, played in the band, was on the debate team, had a bit part in the school play, and joined the French club," what else can you say? It isn't about doing them, it is about doing them well. It is better to spend many hours doing one thing very well, and doing only it, than doing everything, and putting forth no effort or commitment. Further, it is really useful to have "program of study" that involves a number of integrated activities that show a broader interest. For example, I tutored underprivilaged kids, was an assistant Brownie leader, and volunteered at a children's hospital and a NICU. Finally, extracurriculars, unless you are at a national level, will never compensate for poor grades or a bad essay. |
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St. Louis Rowing Club PO Box 411094, St. Louis, MO 63141 314-434-8299 |
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