Adjusting at an out-of-state school?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am high school senior this year (yayayyyyy, finally!!! :D). I live in Seattle, never moved more than 5 miles in my life.</p>

<p>Change doesn't scare me, I love change and new opportunities and I am not afraid of taking risks. The more falls you take, the more times you are forced to rise, correct?</p>

<p>Well, I have three schools I have in mind: Seattle U (close to home), Colorado State (love how outdoorsy it is), and American U (DC?!?! doesn't get much better).</p>

<p>Cost does not matter. It would cost the same for me in tuition/housing to go to a common state school than it would at American U. (I am blessed and my indian tribe is paying for housing/books, and I have 3 1/2 years of tuition covered, covering amount of years not a certain cost.)</p>

<p>I want to do political science, and American U has it. It has always been my dream school, and the only thing that is consistently in the back of my mind is how I will adjust in DC, thousands of miles away, alone. I am social but the thought of being away from my boyfriend/best friend of nearly 5 years scares me. I'm an only child but I've always been surrounded by people. I want to go to American U more than anything. I am just scared to adjust. Although I am considered extremely independent, self-motivating, and an optimist.</p>

<p>One round-trip to Seattle from DC is $350 (on average). My parents are lower-middle class, I don't know how often we can afford for me to fly home... But would this be worth it?</p>

<p>To clarify, I am not doubting that I want to go to this school. I am just nervous, I don't want to make a wrong choice and end up depressed and lonely, waste a whole semester.
But at the same time I want to test myself. I want to push myself to exceed the limits that I am expected. If I can't handle it at first, I want to make myself adjust and learn to adapt. I want this to work.</p>

<p>(I want to apply early decision, even though my teachers believe that I can get in without a doubt.)</p>

<p>Do you guys have any stories about adjusting into your college or related experiences? They would be much appreciated. :)</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>If you really want to study politics, there’s no doubt that American is the best option. Nothing beats DC if you’re a political animal! The school is also well connected, increasing your odds of landing an interesting internship/part time job, etc. I can’t speak for Seattle U, but I can tell you that Colorado State won’t have a fraction of the poli sci opportunities you’ll find at American. You’ll also find far more students majoring in/passionate about politics at American than at Colo State. American offers a uniquely urban experience - Colorado State is kind of out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere and actually kind of far from good skiing. So academically and (I believe) vibe-wise, you’ll like American better. </p>

<p>Don’t worry (too much) about ‘fitting in.’ To some extent, every freshman will have that concern. Everyone will be anxious about making friends & adjusting. And everyone will go through spells of homesickness and self-doubt. It’s part of the experience. </p>

<p>You can increase your odds of making lots of friends by putting yourself ‘out there,’ socially. When you get to American, join clubs and/or an intramural sports team. Initiate social interactions, especially in the beginning few weeks when people are just getting to know each other: suggest coffee/a movie/an outing to people you meet and like. Go to study groups, engage in discussion sections in your classes. Be active. These kinds of efforts pay off. And they’ll enrich your experience. </p>

<p>I’m one who believes it’s great to go “away” to school if you can. At American, you’ll meet students from all over the country. Thanks to a good system of public transportation (which you WONT find in Colorado) you can explore the entire eastern seaboard: Philadelphia, NYC, Boston are all just a bus/train ride away. Your friends from the east will no doubt invite you over to their homes - and/or invite themselves over to visit you in Seattle. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see how people live elsewhere, and to show them your reality too.</p>

<p>However, you’re smart to consider expenses. DC is an expensive city, and you’ll no doubt encounter extra expenses such as shipping your things home/to school or paying for storage. And most of your trips home will be at peak times, so that “average” airfare will be higher too. You could help out your family by saving some of your work=study (I’m sure you’ll qualify) earnings to help pay with airfare… but you’re right that it’s an expense you should plug into the equation.</p>

<p>Still, my personal recommendation. Go east young woman :)</p>

3

<p>Read the college life section here. If you feel lonely, homesick, and friendless, you’ll have a lot of company.</p>

<p>Even though, in addition to old-fashioned phone calls, you have email, text, Skype, and other exotic ways to stay in touch with the people at home.</p>

<p>College was easier for me because I’d been to summer camp for years. Our only contact there came from the prehistoric method of letter writing. </p>

<p>You can practice this year. Do you have cousins in another part of the country that you could visit? An old friend who moved? A tribal event open to teenagers? Some sort of school conference in another city?</p>

<p>If you want some comfort, look up a song from about 50 years ago by a comedian named Allen Sherman. It’s called “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah” and it’s written as a letter from camp by a homesick boy. He recounts horrors: unending rain, poison ivy, ptomaine poisoning, alligators in the lake, malaria, a missing camper. Finally, though, the rain stops, boys are playing baseball, and the kid tells his parents to disregard this letter. All in about 3 minutes.</p>

4

<p>I am going through the same feelings you are right now. I’m a college freshman at a community college and I am looking to transfer next year. I am extremely scared to that I will make the wrong choice of schools too. I also worry about meeting new people as well. Although I live at home I am very independent and am usually at class or working but I think it’s just the comfort of being in my hometown that helps, it’s once I leave and basically start a new life in a new school that scares me beyond belief. All of the feelings that you have mentioned I have felt so you are not alone!</p>

5

<p>College is the one time in your life when it’s easy to check out another part of the country. You have an entire support system waiting for you. You are surrounded by people who are, like you, all looking to make new friends and have new experiences. And DC is an easy city to live in - okay weather year round, lots to do for free, easy access to the outdoors (360 miles of C&0 Canal and Allegheny Trail are just outside your door) and it’s intern central. </p>

<p>Best of all, if you get there and decide after a year that this really isn’t you, it’s not fatal. You can change your mind without penalty.</p>