Tips to get Recruited to US College or University | Sparks Rowing Camp Day 3

Hello RUclipsrs! In this episode on Sparks Rowing Camp I share what I have learned both from discussing with multiple coaches and experts as well as from my own experiences about getting recruited for US universities. It can be a daunting task to undertake when you are not sure what to do but you can use your rowing experience as well as a few tips I talk about in the video to help you start off the process of getting recruited!
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#yamsquad #rowing

[@mantaramanse]

Totally irrelevant with the title but still I'm gonna say it: 2.5 years ago, I was fucked up. Diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder. I was into swimming years ago but I was really in a bad shape physically (in addition to my mental state). And one day, nothing but pure luck, a rowing video by a dude called "Cameron Buchan" came up to my youtube suggestions, I checked it. I was like "ok it's nice, but I can't do it. Maybe let's try kayaking to see how it goes. Then my "how about kayaking" turned into a habit and kept checking this guy's stuff on youtube. Then I got better physically and I said "why not rowing", then I tried my chance for rowing. It's been a year and now I'm rowing at a local club. Tomorrow I'm gonna wake up at 7am to row. So I do owe you a big thank, you and your youtube channel probably saved my life! Wish me luck for my training tomorrow.

[@CameronBuchan]

That's amazing! Thank you for sharing and happy to have been a part of your lifes journey! Good luck! I hope you enjoy the session on the water! Also, do you mind if I share your comment?

[@mantaramanse]

@@CameronBuchan Sure of course, I'd be even happy! Rowing worked wonders for my mental health. Proud to be a part #yamsquad :)

[@frankastier7184]

@@CameronBuchan He is not the only one whose life you are changing, Cam!!! :-)

[@dbcooper7326]

Olivia Jade approves this video

[@perezbermudaxoxo5821]

This is a good video with good advice. Now here's the checklist that every potential recruits should keep handy if you want to be recruited for rowing in a US university (i think i covered most of it):
#1- 2K ergo score. Let me repeat, TWO KAY SCORE. It's all about that for US recruiting, don't be fooled and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. For a HW male rower, if you are not sub-6.15 (if not sub-6.10) then don't even think of applying to the big rowing programs. US coaches would cast a blind eye if you row on the water like a gorilla as long as your 2k is super fast!
#2- Write a rowing CV and make sure to include all your stats (height/weight/wingspan/2k times/benchpress weight....) but also your current and past coaches names and contact details as well as a list of all notable regattas you have participated to where you placed well. If you did some rowing summer camp then put that in as well. It's a good way for coaches to get a good sense of the caliber of rower you are. In terms of regattas, many US coaches will tell you they couldn't care less if you placed top 3 in an 8+ (unless it's the Junior World Champ or HRR!) and they are more interested in small boats results...so make sure you get some small boats regatta exposure.
#3- Cam talks about being in touch with coaches. This is so important. They don't know you exist so make sure you contact them and get a chance to talk to them if they come over for HRR or you see them at Junior World Champ. You need to start contacting them the June before your last year of high school. It is super important that you establish a rapport with the coach so you get to know them and they get to know you. Keep the contact continuously feeding them with new information (2k PB or Regatta Results or Rowing videos). Small Warning - US college rowing coaches (especially the big programmes) tend to be jerks, they could be all hot on you and then go cold in a jiffy and not even have the decency to tell you they are no longer interested. Be prepared for that. Conversely, if you are really really good, then play hard to get a little and wait and see who offers you the best deal.
#4- If you know well previous rowers in the school you are interested in, you should get them to drop a note to the coach to recommend you, it never hurts especially if it was a really good rower at that college
#5- So here is the fact that nobody tells you. For the big programs, if you are not recruited by November of last year of high school, then you probably won't get recruited. There are typically two application dates for colleges in the US (Nov. 1 which is early decision and Jan.1 which is regular decision). Do not apply early decision hoping you will get a rowing spot afterwards, chances are they are none left. If coaches tell you otherwise, then they are just playing you to keep you warm in case one of their recruits drops out, don't be fooled.
#6- Speaking of getting recruited. SUPER IMPORTANT. If the coach offers you a spot, make sure that your file got a pre-read from Admission and you get a commitment letter. A COMMITMENT LETTER, not a verbal commitment or a bogus letter (small warning on MIT, the rowing program has no pull on Admission)
#7- Like Cam mentioned, if coaches are interested in you, they will invite you to an Official Visit (all paid for by the US College) before offering you a spot. And Cam is right, you are only allowed 5 Official Visits. These typically take place early Sept. to mid. Oct. If you are one of the lucky one to get an official visit (although with COVID, not sure how that works), DON'T BLOW IT. Coaches want to know your personality and how you blend in with the rest of the team. Some coaches will go as far as getting the consensus of the team on a potential recruit. So play it cool, no heavy drinking, stay low key and humble, they are watching what you say and do. I know a potential recruit who had all five officials at Ivies and didn't get one offer because he acted like a pompous jerk during the visit.
#8- And of course, you can have a superstar 2k score but if you're academics are not excellent, then you have little chance for the Ivies (except Yale which apparently gets 1 or 2 recruiting passes for average students who are incredible rowers). But if Ivies is not your thing, you have excellent non-Ivies rowing program which do not require super high academic standards like Boston University, Northeastern, Cal, or University of Washington to name a few.
#9- Cam addresses this about scholarships and financial aid. As a general rule, Ivies do not offer scholarships (but non-Ivies do) but fear not because Ivies have financial aid available and if a coach really wants you but you can't afford a US uni, they will find a way to offer you an attractive financial aid package to make it work. Remember that if you get an athletic scholarship at a non-ivy and you decide to quit rowing, that scholarship will be gone, so think twice about this.
#10- Last but not least, Choose the School not the Coach. While most of the established programmes have coaches who are not going to switch job anytime soon, remember you want to enjoy your US College experience, so don't forget to pick the school that is right for you. Harvard or Princeton or Yale sound great on a CV but you don't want to look back at a miserable experience. Rowing training in US colleges is probably around 30 to 35 hours a week on top of your academic work, so if you choose an ivy, be prepared to have very little social life or your GPA and job recruiting will suffer.
GOOD LUCK with recruiting, remember, when the going gets tough, the tough get going!!!

[@JOZZERZ]

Thank you sir

[@djwolffe_OG]

Awesome!

[@francescasivilotti6399]

where can i find good information on erg standards for different US schools (lighty women's programs)? i saw some stuff on NCSA but i don't know how legit that is. and can you row as a post-grad student? thanks for the video!

[@CameronBuchan]

Hello! The trouble with erg standards is that they vary from school to school. I'm not up to date with lightweight women's scores so I can't help you there. I'd recommend trying to talk to a coach at a school you're looking to get a solid idea of what they're looking for!
I'm pretty sure you can't compete as a post grad student but not 100%. I don't know if your eligibility dissaprars after under grad even if you haven't competed.

[@thomaslewisward7943]

Big up ryder donning the WSBC bucket hat

[@yankiertem8498]

It’s free speed

[@СтепанТарантин-ь8ф]

A very informative and useful video,internet should have more of those

[@CameronBuchan]

Thank you!