Scholarships in NCAAs: Where?

[RITFencing]

Just for clarification; I was mostly curious as I had thought they were not as scarce as they sound. Not expecting that I would be able to attain one. (and maybe a little hopefull for better results to happen this up coming season )

As for results, just for the record ; I've only gotten points in cadet sabre, the best of which was ninth place, 3rd in div 3 a year ago, and I've only fenced two div1 NACs the second of which i got to second pools. No luck in junior so far, (but I have points now in junior epee?)

If you've been getting points even in cadet sabre, that's a really good sign. Junior epee is even better; even if you don't get a scholarship keep up the fencing, you're doing great!

[fencerbill]

[QUOTE=bigdawg2121]Pretty much every school has say in who gets in and who doesn't. QUOTE]
Well, Duh!

[Bayou Bum]

Some parents are a pretty good source for fencing scholarships. Usually, you have to keep up your grades though or they quickly cut out extra funding for fencing

[hello?]

I don't agree with the comment "if you have to ask..." When my daughter was applying to college, we had no idea she was good enough for fencing to affect anything -- and, somehow, she was. She got an offer for a scholarship at a very good school. Alas, that was not where she wanted to go (poor me), but she did get the offer. You sound like a serious fencer. Who knows what will happen? Every school has its own needs every single year. You might fit the profile. Don't ever let someone tell you "if you have to ask..."

[prototoast]

I don't agree with the comment "if you have to ask..." When my daughter was applying to college, we had no idea she was good enough for fencing to affect anything -- and, somehow, she was. She got an offer for a scholarship at a very good school. Alas, that was not where she wanted to go (poor me), but she did get the offer. You sound like a serious fencer. Who knows what will happen? Every school has its own needs every single year. You might fit the profile. Don't ever let someone tell you "if you have to ask..."

It should be noted that fencing scholarships are much easier to come by for women than men.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

I don't agree with the comment "if you have to ask..." When my daughter was applying to college, we had no idea she was good enough for fencing to affect anything -- and, somehow, she was. She got an offer for a scholarship at a very good school. Alas, that was not where she wanted to go (poor me), but she did get the offer. You sound like a serious fencer. Who knows what will happen? Every school has its own needs every single year. You might fit the profile. Don't ever let someone tell you "if you have to ask..."

Also, I have to ask--- was it an athletic scholarship, or was it a general scholarship that was organized by the fencing coach?


The advice is really still the same, regardless of how good you are--- Do the best you can at the best tournaments you can, and talk to the coaches about the programs before you go to them, because certain schools and certain fencing programs fit certain people better...........

[fresfisher929]

What is the fencing recruiting process? do fencing coaches call prospects, or talk to them at tournaments, or send them letters? Do fencers get official visits, with paid expenses? How does it work?

[keropie]

Fencers CAN get official visits, letters, etc., depending on the time period. Some parts of the year the coaching staff can not contact you, and they can't talk to you at an event until you are done for the day (iirc).

But honestly, the chances of getting an official (paid for) visit is probably less than the chances of getting a scholarship (as strange as that sounds). There are a few schools (primarily on their women's teams) that have scholarships to give out but aren't 'good' fencing programs, so they tend to not recruit all that actively (generally based on what their athletic department will let them do, or what their coach is willing to do, or if they currently have a coach ).

[Phincer]

Fencers CAN get official visits, letters, etc., depending on the time period. Some parts of the year the coaching staff can not contact you, and they can't talk to you at an event until you are done for the day (iirc).

I think you can go to the NCAA website and read up on all the rules and regulations of who can talk to whom, when, and where.

It gets complicated-if you're a junior in your second semester in HS, the moon is full in Russia and there is a dog barking on the corner, the coach can talk to you. Just kidding, before anyone tells me to get serious...

If your grades and test scores are good, and your fencing decent, there most likely will be a place for you at a school you will love, but the money may still be the question. But like many things in life, if your heart is in it, and its the right place and you talk like crazy to the financial aid people, the money will find you.

GOOD LUCK!!!!