Gymnastics is a sport unlike many others. It is a sport that is focused on detail, pure strength, and grace. Also, unlike many other sports, a gymnast does not have the luxury of relying on their teammates to get them to the championship or giving them the game-winning assist putting them into the record books. It requires ones own determination and sacrifice to become great. Not only is a gymnast’s success in competition reliant solely on themselves, the same is true in the scholarship recruitment process.
As a gymnast grows from a recreational gymnast to a competitive gymnast, the idea of making gymnastics a career is something that needs some thought. Just as the decision on what college to attend has shifted in academia, the same is true in the recruitment process for college sports. The days of picking a university in a student’s last semester of senior year are over.
It’s not unusual for a college to begin looking at a gymnast in their freshman or sophomore year of high-school! The offer and acceptance is generally the gymnast’s following, junior year. This is surprising thinking about a gymnast, in some cases, not even old enough to drive themselves to practice, making such an enormous, life-changing decision. However, like everything else in today’s modern world technology, and more specifically, the internet have increased the ease and the likelihood of a college scholarship offer.
YouTube, Facebook, and personal websites are the new tool in shopping for gymnastics scholarship. Gymnasts, now, post videos of their competitions, practices, and even make personal promo advertisements.
Helpful tips:
- STUDY! - Colleges look for well-rounded gymnasts, SAT scores are important from a scholarship stand point. They’re not looking to give scholarships to a gymnasts that can’t compete due to academic probation.
- Start early - Start making videos to add to your Gymnastics “eResume.” Competitions, practices, and, as the time gets closer to apply, make a video that encompasses your entire gymnastics career.
- Be choosy - Start looking into colleges that interest you. Look for a college that has the right location, size, degree program, and gymnastics level that’s right for you.
- Be proactive - Don’t wait for a college to come looking for you. Send you “Gymnastics Resume” out to the colleges that interest you. NOTE: Coaches are not able to respond until September 1 of your Junior year.
- Most importantly - Just be visible. Upload your videos to Facebook, YouTube, and your personal or team websites.
