I’m currently a 10th grader at a HADES school where I have a 3.2 GPA, but all As in my sophomore spring term, 1520 SAT, and 6:37 2K. I’m about 6’2.5 and on my schools 3rd Boat. I really want to go to an Ivy to row, and am unsure if schools will look over my lower cumulative GPA for a strong upward trend and SAT. I have only been rowing for a year, and haven’t trained much for it because I was focusing on basketball in the winter. I am planning on doing a 2k again before June 15, predictor pieces indicate I’m around 6:34 right now. As well as taking the SAT in August trying to get above 1550. Any guesses to likely schools Id end up at/ be in range for would greatly help. I quit basketball to focus on rowing and will be doing the sport all three seasons next year as well as this summer. GPA should continue to be almost all As next year as my EC load is next to nothing, I quit most clubs to row and focus on academic improvement.
Hopefully, this guide will help:
I know this may be a frustrating answer, but your college counselor and your rowing coach are going to be by far your best sources for understanding what is realistic for you.
I believe @coffeeat3 had/has a rower.
You’re a male sophomore, so you have some time: your recruiting cycle really doesn’t start in earnest until Spring of your junior year (though you can and should start emailing coaches before June 15).
For the highly selective private schools with varsity rowing programs (e.g. Ivies, Stanford, Northeastern), they’re going to look at two things - your rowing stats (2k, height, weight) and your academics (GPA in context of school, test scores). The academics are essentially a checkbox - are you admissible to the school. A 3.2 GPA from your first three semesters (with average rigor, as you mention in other posts) isn’t great, but you’re at a top-tier boarding school, and improvement there will be meaningful. Keep doing well academically and you should likely be fine. The SAT is fine as it is, 1550 might help a bit at a couple schools but probably isn’t a factor. As @NiceUnparticularMan says, your counselor will have thoughts, but really you don’t need to limit yet on that angle.
However - 6:34 is not in range of a recruitable number for these schools. The NCSA page @Publisher referred to is accurate for 2k ranges (don’t give them your money, though) - some schools are the incorrect Tiers or are not really relevant. For the top six rowing Ivies (all but Cornell and Columbia), 6:20 and they’re happy to hear from you but you’re still on the outside, 6:15 will maybe lead to a conversation depending on height and weight, 6:10 and you can talk to anyone. You have a year (plus possibly a bit) to get there, but it’s a tall ask, and the longer it takes, the more spots are gone. Given that you’re likely at a competitive rowing school, being in the 1V will matter, race results are nice to have. You’re in season so your 2k shouldn’t be your focus until after nationals, but that’s your primary blocker now.
Good luck!
Hello:
Lots of good information already provided here and I will try not to repeat. Rowing is an amazing sport and community and glad you are finding it to be your passion.
Being a D1 rower is tough - know that you are in practice for 20-30 hours a week, must balance your school work and your social life will be with your team - not enough time to overly participate in other parts of campus life. Training on your own over summer is key - crew doesn’t have an off season.
Some schools will discourage certain majors, as they know it is hard to get lab time or have a history of schedule conflicts. It is important to understand what each school will support.
The last 1/2 of your winter break and your spring break will be training trips - not trips and fun with your family or friends.
The ability to study abroad is limited to a full out not possible.
Not all the schools have the boat house on campus, so think about travel time each day.
Your HS coach will be the best resource for you to determine the right fit rowing programs and your HS college counselor will be the best resource to help you develop a list of schools that map your academic interests and fit.
You mention the Ivies - and I would encourage you to not focus that way and think about right fit schools including D3. D3 will allow you to have a bit more of a true college experience.
All the ivies are not the same - team culture, school priorities, coach changes etc will all impact how you feel about the school and they shouldn’t be lumped together.
Keep in mind that most Ivy rowers are top in their academics too and I only know of exceptions made for National/World international rowers on grades and test scores. Besides great ERG and on water results, your GPA, rigor and test scores matter.
Let your coach know that you would love to continue in college and partner with him to help you reach your goal.
All the best.
I know a few rowers who completed in the Ivy League and had full social lives & had leadership positions in a time consuming EC.
One example we know well: Dartmouth College, very social, was editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. Very social and earned top grades.
That is awesome that the rower could do so much. I am commenting from recent experience and saw it first hand that there are trade offs - always exceptions.