<p>Hello…I’m new to this site and I am just beginning my college search. The colleges I have found aren’t really what I want in a college, can you help me? Any suggestions?</p>
<p>About Me:
GPA: 4.59(weighted)/4.0
ACT: 30 (sophomore year, I’m going to take it at least two more times. I’m hoping for a 32 or 33)
Dream Career: Vet</p>
<p>College Requirements:
-Midwest Area
-Women’s soccer (hopefully I’ll be able to play and receive a scholarship)
-ski areas (I LOVE snowboarding and the snow!! )
->3,000 students (would like 5,000 to 10,000ish)
-Not too Urban, but not too Rural
-Major: Biology/ Animal Sciences Emphasis: Pre Vet</p>
<p>The good news is that picture gets clearer as you get into it.</p>
<p>The first step is to understand your finances. If financial aid essential or just a plus? The answer to that question will determine how your proceed. Some schools that you may be interested in don’t offer sports scholarships, but they do offer financial aid – either need based or merit based. So it’s important to understand the process. </p>
<p>Basically the search is a series of ever-narrowing concentric circles. You start with many (20 to 30ish) “possibles” then start focusing in on what you want the most. Ultimately you want to end up with +/- 10 choices that include reaches/matches and at least one – preferably two – reliable safeties. If financial aid is part of the picture, then you need financial safeties too.</p>
<p>A good approach is to identify your ideal then expand into other schools with similar characteristics but on different levels of selectivity. Once you start visiting, you’ll have a better idea of what clicks. Keep an open mind, though. It’s not unusual for your wishlist to evolve as you learn more.</p>
<p>You will certainly be a person of interest to many good colleges/universities. You should have a plan for contacting coaches.</p>
<p>I can think of many colleges that are academically excellent and have good access to ski areas, but they are not in the midwest. How open are you to other parts of the country?</p>
<p>Are you a rising junior? If so that gives you some more time.</p>
<p>First off, there is no “pre-Vet” undergrad major per se. To my knowledge, vet schools basically require candidates to have majored in one of Chemistry, Biology or Physics along with picking up the peripheral classes that go with those majors (Calc, Chem if you’re a Bio major etc). So the major shouldn’t be a limiting factor.</p>
<p>Soccer, if you’re good enough to play Division 1 they’ll find you. If you’re good enough for Division 2/3 you’ll have to do some work. Note that D3 schools don’t give athletic scholarships, though they do seem to find ways to fund athletes that they want.</p>
<p>Put your other preferences in some order of importance. What are the factors most important to you? Which factors can you live without? For example, Midwest locale and lots of nearby skiing/snowboarding is going to put a big dent in your list. With those limitations, you’re looking at schools around Pittsburgh, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and maybe northern Indiana if you’re willing to drive some distances.</p>
<p>Honestly I can’t think of any one school that fits all your criteria. Schools that are worth considering: Carnegie-Mellon, Notre Dame & St Olaf (Minnesota). Expanding geographically add Colorado College, Middlebury (Vermont) or the five Claremont Colleges in California.</p>
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