High School Recruits
Below you can find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we get from high school students. Our entire website is filled with information about the team and we highly encourage you to look it over, bookmark the page, and come back often as updates are frequent. Another page many prospective sailors may find helpful is the one for new freshman. There you can get a good feel for what the team does on a daily basis during the first weeks of school.
We would love to hear more about you. Feel free to email Ali Love (ajl249@cornell.edu), the team's Freshman Coordinator, to tell us more about your self or if you have any questions. It is helpful if you include such things as a current sailing and academic resume and what experience you have with sailing. The more you tell us about yourself the better we can answer questions and help you find your way through the college admissions and transition process.
I am visiting Cornell in the near future, how can I meet up with the team?
A number of options are available. Many high school students in the past have gotten the most out of their visit by attending a team practice. It is a great way to see the fleet, the boathouse, and to meet a number of sailors on the team. It also gives you a good feel for the daily activities of the team. Another possibility is to attend one of our meetings on Thursday nights. The best way to find out what is going on during your visit to Cornell is to email Ali Love (ajl249@cornell.edu). If your schedule is particularly tight or limits you from attending one of those two activities Ali will find a way for you to at least meet a team member over lunch or coffee. The earlier you let us know you are coming the more accommodating we can be!
Is the team a varsity or club sport? Does it matter?
Currently the team is operated as a club sport, though at times in the past it has had varsity status. The great thing about college sailing is regardless of our status within the University, our status within college sailing stays the same. There is no distinction between club and varsity programs in college sailing. In fact there are a number of club teams that are consistently ranked in the national top 20 year after year. While a varsity program at another school may offer perks unique to their school, we all compete against each other at the end of the day. More important than a team's status within a university is its resources. With a new two story boathouse under construction, a fleet of 18 Club 420s, and a host of other support boats and resources, Cornell's sailing team has more resources than the vast majority of college teams.
Are there scholarships available for sailing?
No. Any type of scholarship that is awarded based on sailing ability is prohibited by the the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association of North America. Additionally, it is the policy of all Ivy League schools to not offer athletic related scholarships. That said, Cornell's financial aid division does a great job of making sure that every admitted student can find a way to pay for his education, though grants, loans, and work study.
How much do you practice? Will I get to go to regattas?
The team runs practice every Monday-Thursday afternoon. Most team members attend at least two days a week, with many of our top sailors attending 3-4 days a week, especially in the build up to an important regatta. The team regularly sends members to multiple regattas on the same weekend, creating opportunities for many sailors to race. The teams officers work to ensure that the sailors' abilities and the regatta's difficulty are well matched. The bottom line is if you come to Cornell you will have many opportunities to sail!
Do you have a coach?
Currently the team does not employ a full time coach, though that does not mean we are un-coached. The team regularly hosts clinics during the fall and spring semesters where top dinghy coaches are brought in to run drills and lead practice for several days. The team also regularly holds spring or winter break trips in warmer climates that are usually coached. In addition, sailors from Cornell often attend joint practices with Hobart and William Smith Colleges weekly. In the next few years, the team hopes to complete fundraising for our coaching endowment and hire a full time coach. Our daily practices are run by experienced members of the team, most of whom have summer coaching experience.
What should I look for when comparing schools?
The person who can best answer this question is you. It is important to remember that while sailing may seem like the defining feature of your college experience, it is important to remember it is only one part of the big picture. At the end of the day you should pick a school that you would be happy with even with out sailing. Over 200 schools in North America have college sailing teams, so it is likely that any school you choose will provide you with some opportunity to sail collegiately. That said, we think that Cornell is a great choice because it offers both a top-tier education and a host of resources for sailors.
Will I have to tryout when I arrive?
No! The team does not hold tryouts. Any person who is genuinely interested in being a member of the team is welcome to join.
