<p>Out of the good amount of schools I'm applying too, one, Vanderbilt, is farther than my dad's original desires for me going too far away. I live in New England and his original desire for the max. length was Washington D.C./Northern Virginia (UVA). Though it is unlikely that I will only be accepted to Vanderbilt (If I'm accepted) out of the large batch I'm applying too, if I am, how do I persuade him to allow me to go an hour or two distance more than he originally desired? </p>
<p>Also, as a side note, for some reason my dad hates Harvard because he thinks it's elitist while he loves schools like Yale and others. (He's not an alumni of H or Y, he just thinks Harvard is evil) Any idea to convince him otherwise?</p>
<p>My parents are very much the same way. You really shouldn't worry about this until decisions are released. Besides, if you live in New England, you don't have to go far to get the education you want. Your Dad's arguments do have some weight. Just wait and see how it goes.</p>
<p>well, considering you get into such a great school, you don't think your dad would honestly try to keep you from an education like that? that's seems like a selfish thing to keep you from going to such an awesome school just because its an hour or two..</p>
<p>no offense, but it seems petty. idk how you'll convince him b/c its hard to change people's mind if they're not willing to see otherwise, good luck with that.(sorry, that's all i can tell you)</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is a bit more than an hour or two from northern Virginia. Anyway, even if you went to school in VA would you fly or drive? If you fly, it's only ten or fifteen minutes longer so try to use that argument.</p>
<p>I'd politely ask him to back off. It's not like you live in a rural Alaskan village and going to NYU. Tell dad to take a chill pill. It usually works with my mom, but IDK how reasonable your dad is. Probably not very, considering you posted this thread.</p>
<p>Just explain to him that applying in no way means that you're going there (unless you do ED) and that you're just exploring your options with schools that you like. If you have a different top few choices of schools, tell him that even if you got into Vandy, you'd probably pick xyz over it (don't do this if Vandy is your top school though because then you don't want to be like, "SURPRISE!"). You could also explain to him what it is that you like about Vandy (or Harvard) and why you want to apply there.</p>
<p>Just tell him that it's your future that's at stake, and that being you're going to be an adult, and you'll be the one having to bear with it for four years, you should have the biggest say in where you go. I mean, aside from financial reasons, nothing should stop one from going to the school of their dreams.</p>
<p>When I wanted to do a summer program in a different state for five weeks (the summer after my sophomore year), my dad was vehemently opposed because it was "too far" (~1.5 hour drive, lol) and because I'd never been away from home for that long. To convince him, I wrote him a note outlining how the experience would help me grow as a person, what I'd gain from it, and what I would do to keep safe. It worked! :) I know that four years is a big difference from five weeks, but maybe if you let him know why you really want to go and why it would be beneficial, and address his concerns -- safety, being away from home, etc. -- he'll be less reluctant to let you go. </p>
<p>Is he upset about you applying, or are you worried about what will happen if you end up wanting to go there? If it's just the former, you might not want to be so adamant about it; just assure him that applying doesn't mean that you're necessarily going there and that you'll deal with the decision later.</p>