Students athletes commit to colleges

Senior+Megan+McCormick+is+a+member+of+the+Team+Illinois+girls+U19+hockey+team.+She+plans+to+continue+playing+hockey+at+Brown+University+next+year.+

Courtesy of Megan MCromick

Senior Megan McCormick is a member of the Team Illinois girls U19 hockey team. She plans to continue playing hockey at Brown University next year.

As October approaches and seniors begin to look forward to a homework free weekend (Oct. 11-14) to prepare college applications, college admissions is a much discussed topic. For some students, it comes down to the sport they love and if they will continue to play it as a committed athlete at the collegiate level.  

Several students have decided to commit to colleges, starting even before their senior year.

Megan McCormick, junior, plays hockey for Team Illinois girls U19. She committed to Brown University in January of her sophomore year. She wanted to pick a school that wasn’t too big, but also not too small, and Brown seemed like the perfect fit for her. 

“I chose Brown because of the excellent academic opportunities along with the outstanding hockey program they have,” McCormick said. “I’m looking forward to my years at Brown.” 

Another student who decided to make this life-changing decision was Owen Goss, senior football player. He plans on attending Colgate University next year and is going to be a part of the school’s football team. 

“I took a visit there and just fell in love; it felt like home,” Goss said. “I can see myself playing for the coaches too, they’re great people.”

Lauren Ridgeway, senior volleyball player, has also committed to Depauw University. Ridgeway said she hopes to play volleyball there and keep up with her hobbies. 

“Depauw allows me to play volleyball, be in [a] sorority and participate in the media fellowship program,” Ridgeway said. 

Most seniors agree that it might be difficult at first to make final decisions on where they want to go, but after they get through the stress of it all, they’ll end up choosing schools they feel comfortable attending for the next few years of their life. 

Seniors have just begun the 45 day countdown to turning in their early action or early decision applications, with deadlines as early as Nov. 1.