WAG College Gymnastics

[Aelin]

I am a junior in high school who would absolutely love to compete gymnastics in college. I am a level 9 vault and floor specialist, and I expect to be a level 10 next year. I know I’m not the ideal candidate for a college team as I would only have 1 year of experience in level 10 before I graduate, but I would much appreciate any tips on what to say when emailing coaches or how to get schools interested in having me on their team. I have a 4.8 GPA, 35 on the ACT, front handspring front vault, and plan to compete a double front on floor next year, and I was hoping one or more of those things might give me an edge.

 

[raenndrops]

Where are you looking at going to college? Do you know what you want to major in? You need to find the right college for you (or a choice of several) and don't make gymnastics your sole deciding factor.
There are colleges that will look at 1st year L10s (and even some L9s) ... but that is more common for a D3 school than a D1 school.

If NCAA gymnastics doesn't work out, a lot of schools have a club gymnastics (NAIGC) team and you could always do that.

 

[mpkbt]

Use your academics to get you into the school and get you the scholarship, and talk to the coach about looking at you as a walk on.

 

[Muddlethru]

In my experience, what you say is not as important as what the coaches see. So send your best videos. I would not even mention being a specialist. By doing that, you are admitting to them that along with being a first year Level 10 you have even more limited potential. It is great that you have a high GPA and ACT scores but they are only big selling points to the highly academic schools, and even then, they’ll need to see videos before they include you in their potential recruit list. However, you can improve your chances by having a personal relationship with the coach. Make appointments to meet with coaches. If they like you and feel you’d be a good fit for their team, they may forgo some of your weaknesses,

Lastly, be reasonable with the schools you pursue. Coaches are not charitable when filling their teams. They’ll need to know you can contribute.

 

[Aelin]

Where are you looking at going to college? Do you know what you want to major in? You need to find the right college for you (or a choice of several) and don't make gymnastics your sole deciding factor.
There are colleges that will look at 1st year L10s (and even some L9s) ... but that is more common for a D3 school than a D1 school.

If NCAA gymnastics doesn't work out, a lot of schools have a club gymnastics (NAIGC) team and you could always do that.

I’m looking at Cornell, Yale, Stanford, and Michigan State for academics and want to be an engineering major. The issue with that is obviously that they are D1 schools with high level gymnastics teams.

I hadn’t really thought about doing club gymnastics in college before, but I think I’ll look into it. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Aelin]

Use your academics to get you into the school and get you the scholarship, and talk to the coach about looking at you as a walk on.

Would I email the coach about being a walk on now or after I’ve been accepted to the school?

 

[QueenBee]

Cornell might be one of your best bets, they don't have a super strong Div 1 gymnastics team so your academic record would be more important than your athletic one.

 

[gymgal]

Would I email the coach about being a walk on now or after I’ve been accepted to the school?

Start emailing and calling the coaches now so you can begin to form a relationship. All the colleges have lists of whom they want for their potential walk-ons. And most of the walk ons will publicly announce their joining of the team by mid senior year. So you'll want to start making the contacts now. I would also look into Brown, since you are looking toward the more academic schools.

I would also recommend looking toward the D2 and D3 schools, though I am not sure how they would fit in your academic plans. If you choose to go this route, you still will need to start contacting them now as they are recruiting for your grad year now.

 

[Aelin]

Cornell might be one of your best bets, they don't have a super strong Div 1 gymnastics team so your academic record would be more important than your athletic one.

Good to know. I think I’ll email the coach after States next weekend. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Aero]

I’m looking at Cornell, Yale, Stanford, and Michigan State for academics and want to be an engineering major. The issue with that is obviously that they are D1 schools with high level gymnastics teams.

My personal recommendation is to stay far away from Michigan State University, at least from a gymnastics point of view. I would not touch them with a ten mile pole given all of their horrible decisions regarding the Larry Nassar event and all the other related situations. I have no doubt they are a fantastic academic institution, but there is just too much negativity surrounding the Spartan's athletic program for me to not at least provide a word of warning.

I would imagine you're better than all that.

 

[txgymfan]

I grew up going to MSU football games and wearing green and white, but I agree with you.