What heck is in the water in Iowa with all these young fashion model types all of a sudden? OK, as someone said, you should read the thread giving pretty much the same answers to Chelsie. I know you both said you didn't want to leave the area, but the reality is that if you want to model, there isn't much - if any - work that matches your look (and that's what modeling is all about - all jobs are based on finding the model with the appropriate look) in Iowa, at least none with national opportunities.
A short digression if I may: I know you said modeling isn't your first goal, and it doesn't have to be, but people can change their goals, or at least change the timing with which they acheive them. I think I've mentioned here a few times one of my best friends who, as a model, has had an interesting career. She's also a mid-west girl (from SD & MO) who did finish college first, but only because she's a "brain" AND if she was interested in modeling, wasn't confronted with the age issue because she was never built like a fashion model. She's petite, and very curvy (like most of my model friends <g>). While she was finishing school, she tried out for and became a spokesmodel for a major tool company, with a year's contract to travel and do promotions. She then did all sorts of commercial modeling here in LA, and also became a cheerleader for the LA Raiders for 4 years, modeling and acting on the side. When all that wound down, she took a major career turn and went to law school, and she's been a practicing attorney with a major law firm for three years now. See, there is life after modeling!
Now I know you said you wanted to go to college, and that's admirable, but consider these options (only if you are serious about the model that is): First, you may not know this, but most large cities, especially those with big fashion markets, have colleges too <g>. It is possible to take a couple classes while you're working at modeling, if you're really committed. I know several girls who did it, although they were not fashion models. Of course it will take longer to get a degree, but so what, you're young! Second option, put off college for a while and dive into the modeling full-time, and make a promise to yourself that you'll come back. Then do it. Even if you try modeling for a year, and it doesn't work out, school is always an option, so what if you do it a year or two later? Before everyone jumps on me about this, remember, I'm only suggesting it if you really to give this a shot in the "big game" as I heard it referred to once. I know everyone thinks you should do college first, but especially in fashion, you have to start young. The bikini babes I shoot can wait until their early 20s, not so with fashion. Also, remember a lot of people put off college right after high school for other temporary jobs, some even to save money for college. The ones I'm thinking of are called soldiers or sailors. Anyway, that's my take on it. Maybe you and Chelsie should hook up and go to a big city together.
You have a very fresh farmgirl (duh!) look, that would sell well in catalogs, liefstyle magazines, ads, etc. The shot with the cowboy hat on your homepage looks like it just came out of a Ralph Lauren ad (nice shot BTW). So what do you want to do? Don't expect any magic solutions about getting booked for that kind of stuff while you live in IA, you will have to move to where the work is. As I've said elsewhere, fashion models don't get hired from the web at large.
Regards,
Andy Pearlman
Andy Pearlman Studio 
IP: 67.134.114.131
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