As I look at colleges, I’m wondering how far is too far away from home. I’m not really one to get homesick, but I would prefer to be able to get home within a day if absolutely necessary. How much weight I should place on the location when searching for colleges? How far is too far to reasonably drive home? How hard would it be to get plane tickets on short notice from the Ivy Leagues to Columbus, Ohio? Additionally, how much would I be spending to get home? Any advice, particularly from students living far from home, would be appreciated.
This will vary not only based on personal preference but by how close airports are to the college and your home. Another complicating factor is how many direct flights operate between your home airport and the college location. Do a little research to see what airlines fly out of Columbus (and airports within a couple hours’ drive) and then see what cities those airlines fly direct to. Based on that, you can find out some pricing for those flights to see what costs may be.
If you’d like an Ivy, Cornell falls within an eight hour drive of Columbus. This might represent a reasonable radius with respect to convenient ground transportation.
One of my daughters looked within a 4 hour radius. She also wanted to be able to drive home within a day.
My other wanted a 1-2 hour radius. She has anxiety and knew that she might need more support.
It is all up to you. I think it is a good thing to nail down the geographic location u are interested in.
You are the one who will have to put up with the weather and the traveling home.
You will have to decide if you are okay not being able to go home for fall break and are cool with only the major holidays.
You have to know what your family can afford for traveling.
You have to decide whether you like cities, suburbs or rural areas.
Why would you need to go home on short notice? All breaks will be well known.
If you think you need to go home because of yourself or family members, then look closer to home (like Case Western!)
Thank you to everyone who has replied! Currently, I’m primarily looking at schools in the Midwest and Northeast with a few in the Upper South i.e Vanderbilt. I’ll make sure to look into airport locations as I look at colleges; as someone with aging family members, being able to get home in an emergency may be necessary. @bopper, did you enjoy your time at Case Western?