U.S. Students
Recruiting Information for U.S. Students
At Syracuse, recruiting is primarily about building a relationship between the prospective student-athlete and our program. We welcome parents/families into the process as we get to know each recruit. Here is some general information on what typically makes someone a strong candidate for our program. Please note that recruiting is competitive. We work with hundreds of prospects each year for about 9-10 spots.
We strive to comprehensively evaluate each candidate for fit within our program, and these are some of the baseline factors we look for. Don't see something answered or addressed here? Check out our FAQ at the bottom of this page. Or send us a message. We'll be happy to help.
Academic
Standards
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Usually minimum 3.0 GPA for general admission (though standards vary within each college)
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Consistent academic performance throughout high school and/or demonstrated growth
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Excellent standing within school community (no significant disciplinary issues)
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Currently, Syracuse does not require an SAT or ACT
Athletic
Standards
​NOTE: To assess athletes, we consider your context, including your time in the sport and training history. These are provided as general guides for recruiting.
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Typically 6'3" or taller (must be capable of rowing long)
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2k erg score of about 6:20 or faster by start of high school senior year
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Demonstrated ability to hit the positions we look for and move well with others (assessed by video or in-person)
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Openness to coaching and capacity to make changes (via coach recommendation)
Character
Standards
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Excellent reputation as a student-athlete and teammate
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Demonstrated commitment to and desire for a high-performance team environment
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Enthusiasm for pursuit of your academic degree program
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Positive rapport with our coaching staff and members of our program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What if I only meet some of the athletic criteria (e.g. height or erg score)?
A: We encourage you to keep working on the things you can work on. These metrics are of a fairly high standard because we compete at an elite level, and we're searching for people with the capacity for big-league boatspeed. You can always follow up with us once you're in range.
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Q: What support can I receive through the admissions process?
A: We can provide general guidance on your application and running an academic pre-read, yet we do not have any influence on your admission to Syracuse. Generally, a positive pre-read suggests that you will be admissible to Syracuse.
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Q: When do I need to have the erg score by?
A: Typically, you will want to be around that goal by September 1 of your senior year of high school. However, recruiting occurs on a rolling basis for us, and we will consider candidates until our roster spots are filled (generally between mid-December and the end of February).
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Q: How do I receive an academic or athletic scholarship?
A: Academic merit scholarships are awarded through Admissions; your high school transcript will need to reflect consistently strong grades (mostly As) to be considered for it. While we don't require SAT/ACT, good scores (SAT: 1350, ACT: 33) can increase your chances.
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We have a limited amount of athletic scholarship to award each year and reserve this for candidates who we believe have a good chance of impacting the top-end speed of our program within their first year. Usually, we can award scholarship to 1-2 athletes per class; serious candidates for athletic scholarship usually are below 6:10 for their 2k erg score.
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Q: What kind of race results will help me get recruited?
A: We don't specify this because, in all honesty, all kinds of race results can still lead to recruitment. It's more important to be in the top/priority crew within your program. Demonstrated experience of racing at a high level is also valuable.
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Q: Do you recruit coxswains? What do you look for?​
A: We do recruit coxswains, usually bringing in 1-2 per class. We're looking for coxswains who have a very highly developed base set of skills (especially steering), excellent communication ability, and solid practice management know-how. We utilize interviews, recordings, and feedback from your coaches to assess your potential fit. We consider both male and female coxswains for our program. Top candidates are driving their team's first varsity crew.
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Q: Do you take walk-ons?
A: We have limited roster spots, so we consider walk-ons on a case-by-case basis. Just reach out to our coaches to learn more.​
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Q: My family and I have other questions. Who can help us?
A: Our coaching staff is here to assist. U.S. students should send an email to Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Connor Walters (cdwalter@syr.edu) with any additional questions.
Learn More
If you have other questions that aren't answered here, please reach out to us.