Women's D1 College Sports Recruitment - what's the easiest?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior girl looking at possible recruitment for Division 1 sports in college next year. I'm a pretty decent athlete, comfortable in a few different sports. Do you have any thoughts on which sports are easiest for women to get recruited for in Division 1 schools? Thanks!

Response: The term "easiest" can vary based on a number of factors such as innate athleticism, skill level, dedication, and quite simply, passion for the sport, since it shapes how much effort you'll be willing to exert in the recruitment process. That being said, statistically, some sports do tend to have higher rates of recruitment for women.

One sport that often has high recruitment levels is rowing. Many Division 1 schools offer rowing and it's not as commonly pursued in high school, which can make it somewhat easier to get recruited for.

Sports like soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball also have robust recruiting efforts, but they're also more widely played at the high school level. Therefore, the talent pool is a bit larger which can make the recruitment process more competitive.

Sports with smaller team sizes like tennis or golf may also be less competitive due to fewer athlete vacancies each year. However, they can also be more competitive since they require a high level of specialization and skill.

And finally, it's worth noting that certain less-mainstream sports, such as fencing or squash, can have less competition simply due to their lower popularity, but they may also have fewer colleges offering them at the Division 1 level.

Remember, while it's important to consider your recruiting prospects, it's also crucial to invest your efforts into a sport that you genuinely enjoy and are passionate about. Coaches and recruiters are often looking beyond your athletic ability and for athletes that have dedication, leadership, and true love for their sport.