<p>Do you want to be close to home, or as far away as possible? </p>
<p>I wouldn't mind a little distance from my parents, especially since if I go to an in-state college, they'll make me stay in our apartment rather than a dorm. That seems like a dream to some, but our apartment is gross and I want to get out more and live the true college experience. The sad thing is I live in New York though, and there are tons of great colleges in my area. Quite the catch-22...</p>
<p>Anyone? Anyone at all?</p>
<p>My S wanted to be near, no more than 4 hours. He lives in a dorm but his school is only 45 minutes away. </p>
<p>D, in HS now, wants to go far. Not just “far anywhere” but to a city in the northeast or possibly south or Chicago…no small towns unless in New England. She’s pretty specific about that…and out of state is a given.</p>
<p>In New York there are SUNYs all over the state. Are there some that are affordable and right for you that are too far from home to live at home?</p>
<p>For me it’s big. I knew I wanted the east because I don’t want to go halfway across the country. I mean, if I am going to be there for 4 years, I want to think I’ll enjoy it and the ability to get home when I want to.</p>
<p>There are, but knowing my father he will make me commute rather than live in a dorm. I don’t know exactly how much my parents are willing to spend, as my dad is having some financial difficulties (which is part of the reason why he wants me to commute) that makes it hard to find a solid number. My brother commuted to Hofstra in NY, and he encouraged me to go far away–well, not far but out of New York–and he knows first hand about the tuition/loan issues. It really depends on my dad, and he won’t give me a straight answer unless I force it out of him. If I do that, he gets upset and slightly irrational. </p>
<p>Thank God I don’t have to apply just yet! But I need to figure this out…</p>
<p>Where there’s a will, there’s a K</p>
<p>Sent from my iPod touch using CC</p>
<p>Location is probably my number one factor. I want to be in a city or large town. I grew up in a small town and I’m sick of it. I don’t want the campus itself to be isolated either.</p>
<p>Hi again, Shaywood. I live in SC so Northwestern being in Chicago is super far away. I didn’t want to be very close (ironically my second favorite is like 45 minutes away, but my parents wouldn’t make me commute). I think that if you can get enough Financial Aid that going farther away is good, because it forces you to do your own laundry, cook your own food, etc. I think you mature more if you aren’t close so your parents can’t coddle you.</p>
<p>Hi again to you, too, Crimsonstained7. That’s exactly what I wanted! I want to live independently. In college, I’ll be an adult. I want to grow up and rely solely on myself.</p>
<p>I am scared with financial aid, because I just spoke to my mom. We decided to take my father out of the equation, and my mom was scared at the numbers I gave her. She didn’t use FAFSA or any scholarships/grants for my older brother. It didn’t help that he transferred in the middle of his last semester. That might be good, because there are tons of options, but I can’t choose a school that’s too expensive just because I really want to go there…</p>