<p>I am a hs junior with swim cuts just under junior nationals (NSCA). Times were acheived as a sophmore and I have been dropping time as opposed to plateauing. I have looked on collegeswimming.com and appear to be a good fit for the ivies and top D3 schools (place 2-7th in my events). Since I commit so much of myself to the sport, I want the school to be as good of a swim fit as it is academic. </p>
<p>I do not yet have my PSAT's back but a practice test yielded a 210. I am definitely a math and science girl and would be looking to major in either engineering (and be an under-represented minority as a female) or one of the biological sciences. ACT Plan was a 30. </p>
<p>I am taking as many AP classes as my school will allow and making all A's (AP US Hist, AP Eng.Lit, AP Chem, Honors PreCal, Orchestra and Latin III). My uw gpa last year was a 3.78. Since I swim almost 20 hours a week and as much as I can but make time for orchestra (made all-state in violin last year) and volunteer at my church. I am in a few clubs but not much else. </p>
<p>Though I know it does not exist, my ideal school would be one where there is a collaborative environment vs cut-throat, no partiers (I have no desire to drink), within 4 hours of Atlanta (either by air or car) and a vibrant sports program (I love football games). I know I can't have all so I am sure I will have a better feel once I start visiting. </p>
<p>Though I rise to the level of those around me, work very hard vs. having a social life (I'm shy), I don't want to be super stressed about maintaining good grades in a hard science discipline while being a student athlete. </p>
<p>So.....what do you think? I have looked at Yale, Harvard, Notre Dame (though I would like to fool myself, I am not good enough yet), Rice (dream school but really like practicing with guys), Johns Hopkins and Georgia Tech-hmm..maybe/Virginia Tech (not sure I see myself as a "Hokie" wearing orange and maroon - I do have have some fashion sense). I would LOVE the honors program at Penn State and the swim program while fast, most are improving. </p>
<p>I appreciate any and all input. Thanks for your time!</p>
<p>First off, you should fill in all the questionnaires online of the schools you have named, and see who might have interest in you. Your end of season times this year will be what they will be mostly looking at, so it’s promising that you have been dropping time so far.</p>
<p>Those are a lot of very different schools, and you’ll only be able to go on five official visits, and this will also cut into your practice time next year. It sounds like your scores and grades will be fine for any of them, so if you want to have a coach’s support to get in, that will depend on your times and their needs. You should also visit as many as possible on your own before the official visit season arrives, although I know it’s difficult with a swim schedule.</p>
<p>As for ‘practicing with guys’ some of the teams may not have their mens’ and womens’ teams practice together (I’m not familiar with the way it works at most of the schools you mentioned) so you shouldn’t really rule out a school based on whether or not they have both if the school and team are a good fit for you. (ditto for the colors of the suits )</p>
<p>As far as not partying and the whole culture of the school, as you know, the best determination of this will be the official visit. Good luck with the rest of the season and school year! It will be a busy fall for you next year.</p>
<p>As a fellow swimmer, I’d like to say congrats first of all. My advice to you, since you do so well academically, is to use your swimming to get into a good school as opposed to choosing swimming over your academics. I think Georgia Tech would be a great fit. I filled out a questionnaire and got an email with their recruitment times, which are just about junior nationals cuts, if not a bit slower. considering your GPA and athletic achievements, you should be able to make the team and get some money for it. Otherwise, maybe you should consider Cornell?</p>
<p>GT will certainly maximize your potential as a swimmer–as would about ten other schools. This is really the moment that you–not your coach and you–think seriously about what you want out of your life. Is it a berth on an Olympic team and everything else be pushed side? Is it to get a great education in (name your field here) and be able to go on to (name your graduate or professional school here) in order to be (name your career here). Because everything will have trade offs – GT is not the Ivies but then the Ivies are not GT either. Both are superb at what they do but what they do is quite different.</p>
<p>Only you, with your parents’ help (they have been around the block a few times and are only motivated to help you–not advance their career…) can make these decisions. Once you know WHAT you want, then the where becomes actually quite manageable. (of course coaches and admissions committees have to agree…)</p>
<p>Best of luck on your journey and be prepared to take an honest look at who you really are, and what you really want.</p>
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