Input on Colleges...Where to go?

[McLovin]

I am hoping to get some opinions on this...Lets say your daughter could go anywhere she wanted to...
Full ride..5 years.... No major in college....just strictly softball
What two colleges in the Pac12 would you have her attend and why?
What two colleges in the Pac12 would you have her avoid and why?
Same question for SEC and Big 10.
Thanks in advance

[fasterpitch92701]

I wouldn't recommend any.

In that fantasy scenario the "student athlete" appears to be going to school just to play softball. If that's the case, pick a community college close by, play and then flip some burgers.

Assuming that isn't the case, your daughter should be acquiring about 3 thick books on schools, reading them and then coming up with a list. Do you prefer a technical school (MIT, CalTech, etc.) or a business school (Penn/Wharton, Chicago, Santa Clara, etc.) or liberal arts school? With the exception of USC, they all play softball. Define what area of the country is preferable. Arizona and Washington are both in the PAC12. The areas and environments are totally different. Do you mind 99% humidity and HOT in Florida? Do you like snow and ice in New Hampshire or Vermont? Do you mind cooking your fanny in East Texas? Do you want a big college /university atmosphere or a small school? Or in between. If you don't know your intended major what school would offer you the best solid footing and experience that will allow mobility to a future major. Do you want classes with 20 students in a small room with a full professor and nowhere to hide or.... a lecture hall with 370 other students and a TA who barely speaks English and where anonymity is easy. Do you intend to go to grad school? (sorry, no softball...).

Do your really... rationally, think you will get a full ride for 4 years... or 5(???) What school would DD want to go to if there was NO scholarship? I have to assume under your scenario that your DD is a stud pitcher, hits .475 or better with power, 2.25 seconds to first, steals 115 bases a season, has a .007 ERA and a 5.0 GPA having taken summer courses since 5th grade at CalTech or MIT. OF COURSE you want a D1...because she's so good. She might get a better education at a D3 and enjoy her college experience more but... eeewwwhhhh.... a D3... the stigma of a great education. Banish the thought.

Your question appears to be more of a "what school is more popular" than a question of substance (no offense intended or implied, really, I just tend to be sarcastic on occasion). Get some research material, cull for what matters for YOUR daughter (not what is currently popular and trendy with this years softball parents...), figure out what a "fit" is, make a list, shorten the list then visit the schools. Pick schools your DD would like to go to if there was no softball team. (and, yes, SHE picks the schools, not you). Visit, research some more, revisit, explore. Get a reality check on "full rides".

I realize you were trying for a "no limitations" list, the top and the bottom schools, but the question spans DC to daylight, the whole spectrum and beyond. If you simply want a "favorites" or "popularity index", fine, just say so. If you are looking for more, narrow the schools to what will fit your daughters long term education needs. Then consider softball, a transitory event in her life. The education will last forever.

[Fredegar]

As 92701 said, your questions don't make sense. You can't just ask "what's the best/worst college" because each one has pros and cons: campus-size, location, high academics, winning athletics programs, top-notch facilities, good weather, etc. If this is for your daughter, you need to sit down as a family and figure out what things are most important.

If you insist on focusing college selection around softball, then you still need to consider some softball-related questions, such as:
o Is it important to get to the WCWS?
o Is it important to get TV exposure?
o Does a large (25+) roster raise any flags?
o Does she mind playing in cold weather?
o Is a state-of-the-art softball facility important?
o Etc.

Once your family figures out as many answers as possible, you can come back here and ask: What are some schools that have such-and-such attributes? Only then can you expect some opinions from us that'll make sense.

[jonriv]

What are the criteria? Just Softball, best education, $$$$ etc....?

Choosing a school is a very personal and individual thing.

The only advice I would give and has been repeated in posts several times:

-do not base the choice on just softball
-would she go to the school if there was no softball?

[Lunatic Fringe]

Given the question, go to the school with the best football team and social scene. Big 10, I would say Wisconsin followed by Northwestern.

State Street in Madison is pretty cool, as is the Rathskeller in the student union. Northwestern is within spitting distance of Chi-Town

Get a certificate as a licensend and registered bartender, because that is what your kid will be doing after softball

[McLovin]

Thank you for all the responses....
You are correct, I should have worded the questions better.
Would value the opinion of others as far as college coaching goes.
The kid will go somewhere....who knows where, but I do recognize
that many posters on HB have valuable experience....
Really could care less about "popularity" of school...
Best coaches?

[DonnieS]

Best coaches is a tough one. Best at what - A) coaching softball B) getting your kid ready for the part of her life that will probably be 15-20 times longer than the next 4. C) A combination of the two - probably exists - anybody of heard and actually experienced that?

[McLovin]

Combo of the two...
Like I said - so many of you have experiences which would be
benefical to know....any input you can on any college coaches ( both good and bad)
would be helpful to so many

[exD1dad]

Hey McLovin nothing perfect exists, you can ask 100 grizzled vets on HB & get 75 different answers, everyone has their own opinion based upon what they know, where they & family or friends have been & experienced & what they've read by somebody who may have not really know what they were talking about. etc...you just have to formulate your own. If you haven't lived in a city you really don't know it. I know people who've lived in LA for decades & haven't taken advantage of museums, the beach, parks, live music etc... people are in hurry to go nowhere... busy busy busy. Plus on any college campus in America you can find a party every night if that's what you & Lunatic fringe want to do, been there & done that myself. Anything could happen at anytime. If you DD can't lay off the riseball or isn't intelligent, or has bad grades or gets pregnant ... cross off a bunch of great schools or or maybe all schools, if she gets injured in her soph year & sits out & all the $$$ is gone ...oops change of plans. Live life,

If you DD is young, realistically look at the numbers who actually play on a top 20 or even top 100 teams, then think 90,000 high schools in America. Are you a gambler ?
Do you or does your DD have a dream ?

Take a look at the number of Americans who aren't working, then look at the ones who work & hate their job. Bottom line, softball is short term. I would say find a school where she doesn't have to declare her major until her Junior year.

[Dugout Dad]

^^^^^Well said^^^^^