Heading off to college. Experiences and money really worth it?

<p>The suggestion to stay home, but try to do study abroad is a great one. The CSU’s have many affordable options. Check it out here:
[Search</a> by Major](<a href=“http://www.calstate.edu/ip/programs/majors.shtml]Search”>http://www.calstate.edu/ip/programs/majors.shtml)</p>

<p>@bearfever that’s exactly what I was thinking. I feel like you gain something from for the most part being on your own and with others who are doing the same and you just GET something out of it you couldn’t while living at home. Idk</p>

<p>Seems like most UC and CS housing is for incoming freshmen. Upperclassmen are usually on their own off campus. Some private schools encourage campus housing for all but it doesn’t look like you are considering private.
I believe on campus living is a great experience, but not worth debt. Which CSU is closest to you?</p>

<p>The closest CSU to me is Cal Poly Pomona. The one closest after that is Cal State Fullerton. Yea I’ve always thought most housing was for freshman and sophomores. I’m not the type of person that can jump into a contractual relationship for an apartment or something with someone I don’t know. Dorms I’m fine with but an apartment If I don’t know anyone id rather live by myself or in a dorm</p>

<p>I certainly understand not wanting to be in a lease with a stranger. Years ago I transferred from mt sac to usc. I shouldn’t have been able to have dorm housing but I was placed on cultural floor because there was room. I left evey weekend because I worked. . Ok experience but not the great experience son got when he went to college. My best "college experience was working with co-workers on weekends,summers and holidays. Many of my co-workers went to Fullerton,uci and cal poly</p>

<p>Yeah I think going to cal poly pomona is going to be my best bet to get a good education and all the while saving money. I guess in order to get what I’m expecting ill have to just put myself out there a lot more than other people may have to and just be really involved and open.</p>

<p>I was thinking along the same lines as lamom–trying to jump into on-campus housing in your 3rd year is to jump into the apartment scene, not the dorm scene. While I do agree there are benefits to living away from home, I feel that many of those benefits involve maturing and taking responsibility. From your posts, OP, you are more mature than many of your peers! I agree that if you want to spread your wings (as is natural), an overseas experience would be best. Most colleges put their students in dorms for their stay, so you will get that unique experience, while really opening your mind to a new culture. Best of luck to you, and I really respect your path!</p>

<p>Thank you soo much catpb. I try to look at things like this in a long run scenario. I’ve always wanted to study abroad and ill definitely look into it. Yea thinking on it now i don’t know how great it would be to be a junior and be living in dorms with underclassmen. Who knows what can happen in a year though! Maybe ill find a solution to my dilemma. Thank you to all of you who had input and have your thoughts and opinions. It’s great to hear from people outside of your family and how they handle these situations.</p>