How do we start looking for colleges?

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The process sped up after the Kent showcase last January (Junior year), lots of coaches there to see her pitch. DD just received her acceptance letter from her #1 school of choice. D3 in PA about 3.5 hours from home. She will be playing softball there. All choices were hers to make after taking into account:
1. her intended major (limited her D3 choices)
2. small school (she likes to know and be known by lots of people) with a team (keeping in mind why she wants to play in college=love of the game, coaching expectations that will keep her on track academically) and coach she clicked with
3. far enough from home to increase her independence (our criteria) but close enough to meet 1/2 way if she needs something in a hurry
4. gpa/test scores qualified her for reduction of out of state tuition fees (=scholarship)

Attend as many clinics and camps as possible at a variety of schools (D1-3) to get a feel for the campus and decide which is the right fit, busy city vs quiet country. Lots of schools at every level have pre-med so your choices won't be limited. Then let DD decide which level of team competition best suits her, how hard does she want to work every day for playing time in addition to the academic demands? Ask the coaches at her choice schools how challenging it is for the players to work with professors during the season, does the coach have to get involved very often in this process? Homework and testing during second semester is a challenge for students, add althletics with certain majors and they may not mix. Arrange campus visits after the choices have been narrowed, spend time with coaches and players, watch a game if you can and then do overnights at only the top contenders.
Good luck with the search!

 

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I liked wvanalmsick's post a lot, but some other food for thought. Your DD is still 4+ years from going away for college. Her interests may change a lot. As Hitter says, there are other factors like how far she is willing to be away from home. But my DD changed her mind on that 3 times between her junior and senior year. Of course, if your DD is a stud player and playing on a team and going to camps where she will be seen, the D1 colleges will start looking for her. But if not, relax a little, you still have lots of time. Use her traveling during the summer and attending of camps to get a feel for some of the colleges out there ... size, location, etc.

 

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we also spent time in the town with potential early on so that the DD could see what life was like off campus. This mattered more than we could imagine. Add this to the things to look for. And I'm not talking about party spots. And, if the DD isn't big on change, consider the town the school is located could be the town she co-ops for her future potential employer/location. This was huge.

If not solid on what major to take, for many change as noted, find a school with diverse academic offerings.

 

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I can't thank everyone enough for all of your great advice. Our oldest is a senior in high school, so while we aren't new at looking at colleges and all the MANY things to consider, we are new when sports is also a consideration. Of course our DD's intended major will be the #1 priority, but if she can continue to play a sport she loves, eats, sleeps, and breathes (scholarship $ or not) then that is a huge added bonus for her. Thanks again everyone for your insight, suggestions, and experience!

 

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The best information we gathered was from the parents of kids who actually had the athletic scholarships (assuming that was the purpose of the post).
The 3 things we learned were:
-Make face to face contact with the coaches you are interested in (camps, visits). The coaches we met with mentioned more than a few times they never had the time to go through all the videos and emails they received.
-If your DD is a catcher or pitcher, don't miss the QDSN.
-Make sure your daughter scores a 28 or higher on the ACT.
Seemed to work for us, 2/4 DD's play softball in college and my combine bill for the 2 of them is around 2k per year (the other 2 don't have scholarships but maybe in another 10 years...