Going Away for College

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Ever since middle school I've dreamed of going far away for university. I applied to two schools nearby and three schools in the east. But after all the research I've done, the three far away just don't seem like great fits. (I actually love them all except for one significant factor each.) My program isn't very popular so they were the best options. The school I applied to that's about an hour and a half away is probably the safest choice, but I feel like I'm letting myself and others down a bit by sticking around.</p>

<p>It's kind of hard to explain. Has anyone ever felt the same? As much as I love my family and friends, I just have this urge to leave. I want independence and the real college experience. I know an hour and a half means I'm leaving in dorms and everything, but I still feel like it's a bit close since lots of my high school friends will be going there. </p>

<p>Has anyone had these thoughts and went to a close school anyway? How did it work out? Did anyone think they wanted to go far away and then regretted it? I'm just not sure how much this feeling should influence my decision. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>

2

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<p>How does this let others down? Do you think they would be more impressed with your accomplishments if you went farther away?</p>

<p>“Going away” to college is a state of mind. Once you leave home, immerse yourself in your new friends and classes. You will be amazed at how far away from home you will feel.</p>

3

<p>How large is the school that is 90 minutes away?<br>
I think you will find that plenty of distance for you to feel independent, and yet have the ease of visiting home when you choose to.</p>

4

<p>What about something less-far away than those schools in the east?</p>

5

<p>If the school that’s 90 minutes away is a large one you won’t have much trouble avoiding high school friends & making new ones. </p>

<p>I live in Denver; University of Colorado Boulder is where a lot of Denver kids go and it’s only 45-minutes away. Yet most of the kids I talked to say they had no trouble making new friends and finding their own particular niche. Fact is, the dorms of a large research university IS a whole different world, even if home is within an easy drive.</p>