College help

Katie · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2025 10:18 am Post subject: College help

I'm only a sophomore but I'm trying to figure out where I want to go! What do you guys think of these colleges?
Skidmore
Sweet Briar
Hollins
Mount Holyoke
Any other good riding school reccomendations? Thanks! You can PM me or IM me if you go there and have any good info! My SN is sprincely.

Sam · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2025 10:56 am Post subject:

centenary
drew
st. andrews presbaterian (in nc)

KMG87 · First Year Green Joined: 25 Mar 2025 Posts: 13

Just so you know, even though I'm guessing you already do, Sweet Briar, Hollins, and Mount Holyoke are all girls schools. Skidmore is co-ed.
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-Krista-

Jackie G · First Year Green Joined: 25 Mar 2025 Posts: 16

Like Krista said, 3 of those schools are all girls, and you need to evaluate for yourself if that is something you will like. I went to an all girls high school and even though those were the best 4 years of my life, I was NOT going to anything but a co-ed college.

You also have to talk to your parents, counselor, etc. about what you're looking for in a school BESIDES the riding. Big, small? Location? Do they have the major you're interested in?

In terms of riding, do you want to just do the IHSA and have a regular college experience? Or do you want to live, breathe, sleep horses? A lot of schools have very successful IHSA or even NCAA teams and aren't known as "horsey" schools. I personally go to Penn State, am on the IHSA team (Zone champs, going to Nationals ), but I'm also involved in Greek life and all the extracurricular activities associated with that. I love the balance and I'm glad riding doesn't consume my life the way it did in high school. That's me. Its different for everyone.

My best advice during the college search is to just be honest with yourself and be open to ideas and suggestions. If I hadn't taken a chance, I wouldn't be at PSU, and I can't imagine going to school anywhere else. So look around a LOT, talk to people, ask questions, and good luck!
_________________
-*Jackie*-
"would you give nothing to be
sitting on top of the world
with your legs hanging free?" -DMB-

http://community.webshots.com/users/luckyjax04_2

colleenb · Moderator Joined: 12 Mar 2026 Posts: 145

I am going to Hollins next year! I looked at Sweet Briar but decided it definitely wasn't the place for me. I actually just got back from Hollins a few days ago. They had an admitted students weekend. I absolutely LOVE it. Yes the school is all girls. I stayed with an equestrian and trust me... there are guys. Hollins girls vary in what schools they visit. Hampden-Sydney College (all guys), Virginia Military Institute (95% military guys lol) and VA Tech (coed) seemed to be the most popular. There is also UVA, W&L, Roanoke College, Radford, etc. I wanted to go to a small school down south with a great riding program where I can bring my horse. Remember though that hollins does not have any equine majors. I decided I just wanted to ride in college for fun and maybe do IHSA. The school has great academics, and everyone is EXTREMELY friendly. I am so excited to be starting there. If you want to know more, definitely IM me on AbsoluteRider06
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*Colleen Berny*
~Trip To Paris~
~Fargo Bay~
Hollins University 2010

Nicole · Moderator Joined: 09 Apr 2025 Posts: 3

I've got to put in a good word for Baylor... the school is just so awesome and even with the team being brand new, we have a ton going for us. We have a new facility going up this fall and are expecting to have a team of 50 girls. Y'all should definitely check it out! Sic' em Bears!

mclote · First Year Green Joined: 04 Apr 2025 Posts: 7

College of Charleston has an awesome program and is such an incredible school! We were 7th at Nationals last year, and we won Zones this year and are going to Natinals next week.

Charleston is a fantastic city; it's soooo much fun and there's always something to do - and it's only 15 minutes from the beach. If you can't tell, I love it here

PaintedWhisper · First Year Green Joined: 26 May 2025 Posts: 4

Hey Colleen-
Who did you stay with when you were at Hollins??

I have to put in a good word for Hollins as well, Im going to be a sophomore and I love it there!
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-Emily-
http://community.webshots.com/user/uvgot2whisper

colleenb · Moderator Joined: 12 Mar 2026 Posts: 145

PaintedWhisper · First Year Green Joined: 26 May 2025 Posts: 4

Ya, Paige is nice.

If you need anything or have any questions about the rooms or things to bring let me know!! (you have my IM)

Glad your so excited!!
_________________
-Emily-
http://community.webshots.com/user/uvgot2whisper

Jackie G · First Year Green Joined: 25 Mar 2025 Posts: 16

Emily - sorry, this is WAAAY random, but I just wanted to say that I rode a Hollins horse (California Kid) at Nationals for my o/f class, and he was the most wonderful ride I could have ever asked for. He is such a cool horse!
_________________
-*Jackie*-
"would you give nothing to be
sitting on top of the world
with your legs hanging free?" -DMB-

http://community.webshots.com/users/luckyjax04_2

PaintedWhisper · First Year Green Joined: 26 May 2025 Posts: 4

Yay Cory!! He is one of my favorite Hollins horses, hes so awesome. He was actually Champion at Lexington Premiere in the Adult Ammys this year! haha We are really lucky to be donated really really great horses.
Glad he was good for you!!
_________________
-Emily-
http://community.webshots.com/user/uvgot2whisper

Kelsey D · First Year Green Joined: 28 Mar 2025 Posts: 4

I know this topic is really old but I just wanted to say that my best friend who just graduated from Hollins rode Cory last spring! She had her own horse but he had a suspensory injury so she just rode the school horses and she was so in love with Cory, every time I'd talk to her she would go on and on about him. Here's a picture of them from a show in lexington in a warm up class (it's not the greatest picture but it was the only picture the photographer got of them). Another girl was already showing him in the A/As (the one who got champion I'm guessing) but Liz did the lows and opens and everything earlier in the week and got some ribbons against all the pros!

http://www.peggyjsmith.com/LSP06xOpenalbum/slides/544LSPW2030.html
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~*~Kelsey~*~

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PaintedWhisper · First Year Green Joined: 26 May 2025 Posts: 4

Aww Liz, shes so nice! hes a really great horse, like all of the hollins horses are actually:)
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-Emily-
http://community.webshots.com/user/uvgot2whisper

mst · First Year Green Joined: 25 Mar 2025 Posts: 3

skidmore has goten hard to get in to and isn't cheap