Scholarships???

[gymbabisMom]

Has anyone here ever tried to get a kid a gymnastics scholarship? I am looking for more practical info on the best way to go about trying. Gymbabi has not set her heart on any one particular school and we would like to try to get her at least a partial scholarship.

[audra]

The best place to start is with her coaches. If it is something your daughter decides she wants to do, her coaches are your best connection. She should also start looking into which schools have teams and offer scholarships. Unfortunately, gymnastics scholarships are hard to come by. A few years ago Collegiate gymnastics went to only 2 divisions, Division 1 (NCAA), and Division 3 which is NCGA and I'm not sure if you can get any money for NCGA competition. They may offer money through grants, start your research early and make plans to visit schools. Many schools participate in recruitment camps as well. Good luck!

[gymbabisMom]

That's funny, I was reading on a website about Div I, and II schools having gymnastics, but when I went to look, all the schools that had gymnastics teams were listed at I or III schools. No Div II at all, so I was a little confused.

[gym law mom]

The optional girls at our gym are told to get a scholarship or at least have a school be interested in them, they have to be Level 10 and should make at least 1 or more JO Nationals. We've had over 30 girls get full gym scholarships. From what the gym owner says, a girl will not be noticed by a school at high school meets such as states or Level 9 since the schools don't have the money in their budget to send coaches to those meets. They tend to pick a couple of the big meets for Level 10s and go to those.

I did see a flier left by Orlando Metro at our optional meet about hosting some type of gym camp where college coaches would be.

[gymbabisMom]

USAIGC has a meet every year, the College Bound Invitational, that is supposed to be a place for the college gym coaches and college gymnast hopefulls to get together. We haven't been to one yet. No point at level 8. I'm not sure gymbabi will make level 10 before graduating. She hasn't had a very strong level 8 season this year and only has state left to make a qualifying move up score.

[littlegymchampsmom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by gymbabisMom Has anyone here ever tried to get a kid a gymnastics scholarship? I am looking for more practical info on the best way to go about trying. Gymbabi has not set her heart on any one particular school and we would like to try to get her at least a partial scholarship.

From what I understand, colleges send scouts to level 9 & 10 competitions - they generally look in the jr year of high school... our coaches make sure the girls get exposure at the important competitions and make sure they have enough training time in the gym. A few weeks ago, one of our 16yr old level 9's at our gym got contacted by 3 colleges after she competed... don't give up hope

[hammy]

Colleges generally look at level 9 and 10s--they do have level 9s on their teams. Colleges also tend to start looking during their sophmore and junior year (more of the junior year). They are often hard to come by--I was a level 10 gymnast and I walked onto the West Va University's gym team, I could have had a scholarship at other schools but not where exactly I wanted to go.

Talk to your coach about it and start working on a video (DVD) of your gymnast's skills, in the gym and competitions--these will be sent to the colleges that your gymnast is looking at (during her junior year of high school).

The College Bound Invitational is an excellent meet to attend. The atmosphere is so much different than a USAG meet--after your routine you can repeat a skill and you are judged on both USAG and NCAA judges, so you receive 2 scores. The coaches are also looking at how well you interact with other gymnasts.

Also, a lot of the time if the coaches want you on their team they will help you get an academic scholarship if they are not alotted enough gym scholarships for a certain year. Coaches are sometimes able to give a scholarship after the gymnast's freshman year with them.

There is hope for everyone out there, so no giving up! I didn't decide on my college until April of my senior year and I was fine. Gymnasts are often recruited by colleges for individual events, although they are listed as "All around competitors," allowing them to compete any event if they are needed. Coaches aren't just looking for skills and how great of a gymnast you are, they also look for good academics and a good attitude. Good luck and remember to have fun!

[gym law mom]

In the few years I've been associated with our gym, the only girls who got NCAA scholarships were the Level 10s. We had one girl who graduated 2 yrs. ago get full academic and gym scholarships. I know she competed her freshman year, but don't think she is as a sophomore. She also graduated from high school at the ripe old age of 16---talk about an overachiever!!!

As someone mentioned if there is a will, there might be a way. A girl who also graduated 2 yrs ago in now competing for her college. She was a Level 10, but sat out her entire senior year due to an ACL reconstruction. No offers from colleges. She did decide to go to a school that has a Division 1 gymnastics program and started training on her own as a freshman. Well, this year as a sophomore she made the team as a "walk on." I think she's only competing a couple of events, but she is back in gymnastics.

I've heard of companies that claim to be "experts" in getting your kid an athletic scholarship. I've know several parents that have paid thousands to have professional videos made, nice looking books with all kinds of stats made etc.(no these weren't for gymnastics). Of course, they guarantee nothing except that they'll make money---would be very wary of anything like that.

[audra]

I would be very wary of anyone who is going to charge you to get your child a scholarship. Most schools just want to see what skills your child can do, and do not care if it is a professional video that is made. Don't give up if your child does not get a scholarship their freshman year, if they are at a D.1 school and compete as a walk on their first year they can be offered a scholarship the next year.

[JBS]

Quote:
Originally Posted by gym law mom I've heard of companies that claim to be "experts" in getting your kid an athletic scholarship. I've know several parents that have paid thousands to have professional videos made, nice looking books with all kinds of stats made etc.(no these weren't for gymnastics). Of course, they guarantee nothing except that they'll make money---would be very wary of anything like that.

Yes, these companies are garbage (especially for gymnastics). Books and videos mean nothing in the world of gymnastics. Skills pay the bills!

I you want a video for a college, just have your coach film your workout. Also send them a clip from a competition.