Going Away to College vs Staying Home & Commuting

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Don't know if this is the right place to address these concerns. I find my situation too particular and would appreciate an outsider's POV. I am a community college transfer, art (Illustration) major, and have prospective college younger siblings.</p>

<p>My initial priority seemed financial, keeping the college debt as low as possible, yet I cannot decide whether I should attend or defer a private art college that is less than 30 minutes away from my house. (Deferring for more thinking time). I don't doubt my art skills, but cannot convince myself otherwise that I would be happy to keep the college debt low through cutting dorm cost. Even so, this college will leave me $30k in college debt.</p>

<p>Some say going away to college is the right way. You will learn to be "independent". Some people have described this "independence" as EITHER "material" (e.g. sleeping as late as you want (3am), taking care of your own meals, etc.) OR "incorporeal" (e.g. making decisions for yourself without turning to mom/dad 24/7, relying on your social skills to make your most trustworthy colleagues and your mark in the world, etc.). </p>

<p>The art school 30 minutes away from home is interdisciplinary, which appeals to me as Illustration major, and cutting dorm fees would help cushion my expenses to help me buy digital art programs and a drawing table. But the school's prestige and reputation is hazy, which (for lack of better words) worries me that my art skills will stagnate. My house is very large, I have my own bedroom and bathroom. I don't plan to have a boyfriend. I have control over the "material independence", for my parents are very loose to give me my space. </p>

<p>But I see myself losing "incorporeal independence", for coming home everyday is too comfortable: I know my parents will allow me to do whatever I want (even ignoring them), yet I feel I cannot settle down with any of my own decisions, for there's this vibe at home that smothers my confidence. I have an idea what I want to achieve in my career, but am scared that living at home will brain-wash the desire...though I want to believe that I am strong enough to both override this sagging dependence and reach my potential...</p>

<p>However, my concerns blurr from here! I've told myself that I could always try getting a Masters at a school far far away, getting the best of two worlds, or travel and move out later, thus experiencing the wide world. But considering that there will be $30k college debt from this school where I plan to get my BFA, I feel estranged from these prospects. Thank you for your time!</p>

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<p>$30,000 is a lot of debt. I would definitely say to stay at home and commute, at least for a year. Your parents sound supportive so take advantage of the opportunity you have to save money.</p>

3

<p>When you put it simple like that, it sounds right to me. I guess I feel helpless to what has worked for others who were successful but what cannot happen to me. I could go far, but not without a full-ride scholarship; I feel that a larger debt will limit me in the long run.</p>

4

<p>It’s about what you value. I would take out plenty of loans to go out on my own and go to school away from home. I personally feel that that experience is worth the money. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. You just have to decide what’s important to you, and one decision is not better than another for all people. I never would have made the gains I did the past year if I was commuting, and in all honesty I would never even think of it. For me it wouldn’t be an option - I want to go to college and have the traditional college experience, and that’s what I’m getting, and I love it. For others the money they would save matters more, and the college experience wouldn’t give them a lot of benefit, so commuting makes sense. It just depends on the person.</p>

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<p>Hi RoxSox,</p>

<p>Thank you for your good words. I still have not got over the urge to please others, or even please myself in other people’s shoes. When I reread my silly tirade, I read lots of options, but am possibly to weak to say what is NOT an option but a MUST.</p>

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<p>30K is a lot of money. I’d commute. Thats what i’m doing then when I go for Grad school I plan to go away.</p>

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<p>the thing about art is that you can’t be sure that you’re going to get a high-paying job right away. i’m not criticizing your decision, but you should take that into account (and that goes for everyone, really). I don’t think that you need to spend $30k to live in a dorm 30 min from home; you can live at home or possibly even find an apartment for a fraction of that amount if you don’t want to live at home. there are other ways to develop independence and those other traits that are more cost effective.</p>

8

<p>Haha, I reread my first post, again, and it gets more confusing! I was also planning to defer to apply for other private colleges in another state. I might be thinking too black-and-white in regards to developing independence, I mean, there are so many ways to develop it, it’s been done so many times, so it’s better finding one that works for me.</p>