<p>A colleague of mine will be visiting her family in Maine in July with her freshman D and will extend this cross-country trip to visit colleges from NY to Maine. At this early stage, the mom wants to expose D to schools from NY to Maine that meet her D's current interests - academics, volleyball and equestrian teams and facilities. The mom has her eye on LAC's, but her D hasn't visited any schools other than mom's alma mater, Stanford, so she has no clue about LAC's vs. Universities. Thus the desire see different types of schools. D will have need, and mom's also looking for merit $. I read an earlier thread re: horses, but they are all LAC's. Does anyone have suggestions on schools, public or private, LAC's or Uni's, that they could visit during their extended trip to the northeast? Currently, the mom just has Vassar on the list. I mentioned Mt. Holyoke also, even though her D said no women's colleges. But I know many girls change their mind about that one once they discover the possibilities. Thanks a bunch in advance.</p>
<p>How about UConn? They have equestrian facilities, and now offer a minor in therapeutic riding even.</p>
<p>Second a visit to UConn.Horse facilities right on campus,merit $ +Honors possibilities.Impressive rebuilding of the campus facilities,though the town or lack of it left alot to be desired.It would be a good stop on the Maine to NY tour and would show a nice sized state U in contrast to small LAC's.</p>
<p>Here are colleges in PA with equestrian teams:
<a href="http://www.campusequestrian.com/zone/3zone/3z3r/3z3r-index02.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.campusequestrian.com/zone/3zone/3z3r/3z3r-index02.html</a></p>
<p>Pitt's team practices at Mingo Park, since Pitt is urban. I'm not sure which teams are directly on campus.</p>
<p>Cornell...don't know if Ithaca, NY can be made to be "on the way" or not...but it's got horses (and a vet school)...don't know about volleyball...no merit money, but good needs-based FA (I'm told)...it's big and a uni and in a college town...provides one piece of the "base line"...</p>
<p>Skidmore has a top equestrian team, although I don't know about volleyball. Their academics are also very good.</p>
<p>UConn animal science alumna here. Last time I checked -- and I will grant things may have changed -- the equestrian program was strictly limited to animal science majors. There has been a large expansion of the facility in recent years -- more stalls, an indoor, etc -- so things might have changed. Or, Animal Science might be right up her alley --</p>
<p>therapuetic riding minor is a brand new program, starting this fall at UConn.</p>
<p>I would resuggest Mt Holyoke. It's true that it's a women's college, but it's also part of the five-college consortium. She would have the opportunity to take classes at any of the four other schools, and would therefore have contact with males as well; hanging out them/meeting people is a simple bus ride away.</p>
<p>Smith also has "horses" (equestrian, etc.) and volleyball. Merit money is decidedly limited.</p>
<p>If the girl/mom is willing to look down south AND to a women's college, come to VA!!!
Sweet Briar and Randolph-Macon Women's College both have very strong equestrian programs and give out lots of MA.</p>
<p>Tufts has an equestrian team and a volleyball team. Merit money is limited, but they do meet 100% of need. Big $$ problems are for those that earn between $100k and $150k/year. </p>
<p>I second the suggestion of Virginia. Sweet Briar would be fabulous for a horsey kid.</p>
<p>Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH has a very good volleyball team and an equestrian team. It is a small college with under 1000 students.</p>
<p>connecticut college- great equestrian team and rapidly improving volleyball.</p>
<p>Wellesley (again, another all-women's college) has a great volleyball team and used to offer horseback riding through Dana Hall, a local independent school. It may still do.</p>
<p>Thanks all. I'll pass along the suggestions.</p>
<p>Of the Maine LAC trio (Colby-Bates-Bowdoin), Bates seems to be the one that has the volleyball and equestrian (they all are excellent for academics). It depends on how competitive she wants the sports to be. Bates Volleyball didn't knock anyone's socks off this year; the Equestrian is at the club level (competes intercollegiate) with the facilities off campus.</p>
<p>It would be a great school for a younger student to get an idea of a truly small LAC.</p>
<p>Dunno anything about volleyball but know a lot about horses and NE schools. Traditionally, the schools with their own horses are the smaller LAC, sometimes originally women's colleges, and good academic reputations (think traditional audience for horses) and yes, Smith, Holyoke, Skidmore figure in here, and also St. Lawrence University. Alfred has just built a huge new facility and is committing more to their riding program as well. Then, there are lots of schools that do not have their own riding facilities but may have strong club teams out of good stables. There is tremendous variation here, but you can find out details by contacting their athletic depts; they will put you in touch with the team captains. Barns may have websites or can provide info re: quality of horses, coaching, transportation, etc. This is true for Tufts, UPenn, Colgate, Middlebury and many others. Check the website for the IHSA (intercollegiate horse shows association) for a complete list of schools that participate in riding competition in various disciplines. When we visited campuses, we fit in a trip to the barn if d was serious about applying. The quality and care of the horses and facility told us a lot about a program in a quick visit. As important to the equation as music practice rooms and dorms!</p>
<p>Skidmore is in a very horsey area - a one friend had her event horse there during college, and it worked out well. Another has her horse at Albion - girl and gelding are both doing well in their respective training.</p>