In today’s ultra-competitive college application process, students are always looking to gain as many advantages as possible. While some try to obtain this competitive edge through academics, volunteer work or leadership opportunities, many students use the court or field to get ahead in the college process. Colleges are always looking to improve their prestige through athletics by stocking their teams with the best players to excel in every sport. Even here at Berkeley a plethora of students have already committed to colleges because of their athletic excellence.  But according to collegefinder.org the best way to gain a competitive edge athletically is not on the court or field, but on the water.

College Finder’s most recent studies have shown that only 0.2% of high school male wrestlers and 1.28% of high school football players receive scholarships. Compared to these numbers, a staggering 17.88% of male rowers receive college scholarships for sports. In addition to this incredible percentage, many of these students row for some of the most prestigious schools because the Ivy League schools are usually the elite crew teams.

Furthermore only 0.6% of women receive scholarships for volleyball and only 3.89% receive scholarships for track and field.  And while these numbers are nothing to scoff at, an outstanding 55% of female rowers receive scholarships because of the need to balance funding between men’s and women’s collegiate sports.  All colleges attempt to balance their funding between men and women fairly.  Because so many schools like Duke and Stanford have expensive men’s football and basketball programs, they balance these expenses through elite female crew teams.  Crew equipment is extremely expensive and by handing out multiple scholarships, colleges like Duke are able to balance their top notch Blue-Devils men’s basketball team with one of the best girls’ crew teams in the country.

Speaking from experience as a member of the Berkeley Varsity crew team, if you want to participate in a sport that combines power and precision and can pave your way to collegiate success, then get out onto the water and row your way to a scholarship.