<p>Hello...I am returning to post here after a busy summer of college visits. My son, a senior, hopes to wrestle in college, probably D3. He's a B student, wants to study environmental science for an outdoor career, and thinks he will fare better with the extra attention of an LAC. We met with coaches at Ursinus, Knox, Gettysburg, Roger Williams, the Coast Guard Academy, Wesleyan, and the University of New Hampshire (wrestling club). Recently he was also contacted by the Franklin and Marshall coach. He's a down-to-earth guy, a bit worried about the challenge of college.</p>
<p>If he had to choose right now, it would be Knox because they took such an interest in him (we live in Massachusetts, so it's the most distant, but we have family in Illinois). I worry that their wrestling program is less developed and that the school is too small. </p>
<p>As we begin to apply, I just wonder if I'm overlooking something, if we should invesigate other options and in general, what you knowledgeable folks advise about the schools I mentioned. As for money, we are hoping for some aid. </p>
<p>I understand that he is not planning to have his career in wrestling?
So you need to look at colleges that have wrestling as nice addition and concentrate on college fit with everything else- good vibe, internships, reseach if that is important, strenght in possible career choices...etc.
My D is freshman at Knox and I am very very pleased with that school. Most important I could see changesfor the best in her even in those few short weeks she has been down there.</p>
<p>I am not sure how to do this, but you should try to guage the viability of the program. My nephew wrestled in hs and was looking forward to wrestling in college, but the school cut their wrestling program right before he started school. He went anyway and had a great 4 years but was disappointed that he couldn't wrestle. (Carleton)</p>
<p>Both Lawrence (in Appleton, Wisconsin) and St. Olaf, in Northfield, Minnesota, have wrestling. St. O. has almost 3,000 students; Lawrence has just over 1,400.</p>
<p>I agree with NJres and I might even go a step further and question each potential school regarding Title IX compliance. If possible find out if the ratio of men's to women's sport mirrors that of the student population. I'm reading that crazy Golden book on admissions and the Title IX chapter is quite interesting. Wrestling programs are usually the first to go when a college tries to bring themselves into compliance with the law and as a result, hundreds of colleges have cut wrestling programs in recent years. The strategy seems to be to add women's crew or golf and cut men's wrestling whenever there is a Title IX issue. </p>
<p>My d just made the women's rowing team at UNC as a walkon. It would seem the women's program is fully funded (NCAA Div I), but the men's program is a club squad. I assume Title IX is what impedes them from adding the men's program.</p>
<p>Franklin and Marshall should be near the top of your list if he likes the environment of the school! If they contacted them, he is of course on a short list but more importantly F&M has an excellent environmental science program. The Department of Geology recently morphed into more of an environmental science program. Though the geology likely isn't quite as good as it was (it used to be the LAC with the greatest % of graduates earning the PhD), it will give an amazing boost to their environmental science program!</p>
<p>Edit: If you'd like any information about the city of Lancaster and it's surrounding area, feel free to PM me. I didn't attend F&M but was raised in Lancaster and still have all of my immediate family there.</p>
<p>Trinity College has a good D3 wretling program, and it seems enthusiastic enough about sports that one might hope the team will persist. </p>
<p>Lehigh should not be on the list for a place with wrestling. This is big time D1 try-to-wn-a-national-championship level wrestling. If he is not being heavily recruited by D1 coaches, then he will not make the team at Lehigh, and if he wants his college life to be anything other than wrestling, then Lehigh should be off even if he is good enough to make the team. Wrestling aside, Lehigh is a great school.</p>
<p>Thanks all for the advice. Yes, Afan, we knew Lehigh was out of his league for wrestling, Bucknell, too. Franklin and Marshall sounds very interesting, though, and I'll remember your offer, ophiolite. Son is not keen on a city, which is a strike against Trinity. IDMom, what is the Golden book you mention? Whom would you ask about Title iX compliance--the admissions counselor? The coach? Thanks!</p>
<p>massmom - both....I'd compare what the coach/athletic director and the admissions office at each school has to say about compliance with Title IX at their school. The answers will help you make that viability assessment that NJres recommends. </p>
<p>The book I'm reading (almost finished) is The Price of Admissions by Daniel Golden. I have heard some pretty skeptical remarks about facts and substantiation here on the CC boards; but it is an interesting book. I think the information about student athlete recruits and the state of athletic programs under Title IX is accurate.</p>
<p>thanks, IDMom06! I'll order that book from my library pronto. I was also very interested to read the thread in parents about the experiences of college freshman athletes, in case you missed it.</p>