Having transferred in the summer between my sophomore and junior years, I got to experience the trials and tribulations of the US College rowing recruitment process not once, but twice. Looking back after graduating, there are so many things I wish someone had told me the first time around.
The second time, I knew what I wanted and what really mattered to me. And while the 2k definitely plays a role, I learned pretty quickly that recruiting is about so much more than the numbers on a screen.
Going through the whole process twice gave me a whole new perspective on what actually matters when choosing a school.
Here are a few things I wish someone had told me earlier:
It’s OK to talk about money
This might feel awkward at first, but coaches know that most recruits are thinking about athletic scholarships. They’re expecting you to ask questions about scholarships, tuition, and other financial support options that might be available.
If you’re upfront about what kind of financial help you need, and they truly want you on their team, they’ll do what they can to make it work. Try not to feel weird about it. It is your future and your finances after all. Being honest early on saves you from surprises later. No one wants to be in the position of turning down their dream school just because they didn’t ask about money soon enough.
Weather and location matter more than you think
Do you really want to be somewhere with humidity above 90% every morning, or stuck on the erg for three months because there’s two feet of snow outside? I’ve lived through both extremes and, trust me, you want to know what you’re getting into.
If you’re an international student, travel is another big factor. For those coming from Australia or New Zealand, adding an extra seven hours just to reach the East Coast after a 13 hour flight can be brutal.
Location can also make the difference between your family being able to visit or not, or how easy it is for you to get home during breaks. When you’re battling homesickness, location can make all the difference.
What can you bring to the team?
This is one of the most important things to think about. It’s easy to focus on what a programme can do for you: better facilities, faster teammates, stronger coaching. But recruiting is also about what you bring to the squad. Coaches look for good people just as much as fast ones. Culture, attitude, and how you fit into the team dynamic can be just as important as your erg score.
Most programmes will have you talk with current athletes to see if your attitude and mindset fits the team. The athletes know what kind of person works well in their squad, and if the fit isn’t quite right, the coaches will hear about it.
It’s also worth asking yourself the same questions: do you want to help build a growing programme, or join an established championship team where you might initially rank a little lower? What do you really want out of your four years?
Think about where you’ll genuinely add value and where the team will help you grow as both an athlete and a person.
Coaches come and go, but the programme stays
My high school team was small, and the relationship you built with the coach was everything. So naturally, when I first got recruited, I thought that the bond with a coach would be key to a positive experience. And yes, it is important but it’s not everything. Coaches move on. Assistant coaches get promoted elsewhere, and head coaches retire.
In the middle of my sophomore year, our coaching staff went through a huge shake-up, and it was rough on the team. Then, during my second recruitment, the coach who was recruiting me left before I signed. Both experiences taught me how important it is not to be completely reliant on one coach or one dynamic.
During the recruitment process, you’ll often build a close relationship with various coaches and this may impact your final decision. But, the question to ask yourself is simple: Would I still be happy here if that coach wasn’t there? If the answer’s no, it might not be the right fit.
At the end of the day, you’re choosing a school, a program, and a culture, not one person.
You can’t row forever
It’s the unfortunate truth for many of us. We can’t all make a career out of rowing. Even those who do will face retirement eventually.
Everyone needs to think about the long term and what life after rowing might look like. It’s also important to consider the possibility you get injured and can’t row for a semester. Are you still going to be happy at that school when rowing isn’t an option?
That was a big part of why I transferred. I wanted to find a school that better fit my academic goals. You’re going to university, after all, so make sure the school fits your academic interests. Does it offer a major you’re genuinely excited about? Will you enjoy studying it for the next four years? And will it set you up for the kind of career or life you actually want after rowing?
At the end of the day, rowing might open the door, but it’s the education that shapes what comes next.
Final thoughts
Recruiting can feel like a race with everyone: comparing times, stressing over emails, and trying to impress. But the truth is, you’re not just picking a team. You’re choosing a lifestyle for the next four years.
Having gone through it twice, I can say this: the erg score gets you noticed, but the choices beyond that (the team, the culture, the school) are what make the experience worth it. Choose the university that feels right for you, and everything else will fall into place.
