<p>Hello! I'm just in need of a little perspective (:</p>
<p>There is a 90% chance that I am going out of state to college. However, I'm so afraid that I won't get into an actual university because my major is so rare? Unusual? I can't seem to find a college that has Hospitality and Tourism management without it being in Nevada, Florida or California (which is great because I really wanna go to Florida or California). This narrows my choices to Florida schools (which I hear are hard for OOS students), California schools (which I hear are all competitive and commuter), Las Vegas (I'm avoiding the desert since I hated living in NM), or Arizona. </p>
<p>Okay so my question is: Do you think that going to a community college for a few years out-of-state as a freshman is a good idea for me (a Senior in HS)? Or should I just do it locally then transfer out of state?</p>
<p>This is all if I don't get into the Universities I'm looking at. As a backup plan, you know?</p>
<p>I just need some perspective, and maybe even a few school ideas. I'm at a loss, and no one seems to be able to help. CC isn't a bad idea for me, but I would need a dorm because I'll be 17 for a while when I go away (I started school early)and I don't exactly have means to pay rent haha. </p>
<p>Thanks to anyone who can help.</p>
<p>Go to a CC first. Best choice I have ever made and went through 2 different majors until I decided on engineering. There is a good chance that maybe Hospitality and Tourism management is not what you want to do. Its better to have that realization while in a CC rather than an OOS college you already transferred to. Speaking to friends at UCLA and other UCs, the first two years at CC are identical to that of theirs and they are paying much more for it with larger classes.</p>
<p>You mention you ‘don’t have the means’ to pay rent - </p>
<p>The problem with going to a CC OOS is they are so darned expensive. The cost of living on/near a campus (especially here in CA) is also high. I bet it’s about $20k a year or more all in. Few states offer aid to out of state students.</p>
<p>I beg to differ with RedEye - Living in a dorm on-campus at a UC is not ‘just like’ going to your local CC and staying with your parents. Lots of lessons are learned out of the classroom. The 4 year experience is expensive and may not be right for everyone but, it is different and valuable to many.</p>
<p>I agree with RedEye that your major may change as you dig into the subject matter so, traveling a great distance and spending lots of money your first couple of years to pursue a narrow focus may not be a great idea. </p>
<p>If plan A doesn’t work out - perhaps a local CC then transfer is the best option for you.</p>
<p>I moved to CA to go to school at CSULB (lived there a year to gain residency first). It was rough. Had to work a full time job to afford rent. Grades suffered. Dropped out after 2 years. So my advice is stay local, save money, then transfer. Also, there are a few other colleges with hospitality management programs that have excellent reputations. UMass Amherst, University of Denver, Iowa State, Georgia State and Washington State University are a few others that are in more affordable areas of the country.</p>