Hi guys! So recently I decided to attend WPI but now I’m having second thoughts. While it has a better program and I generally like the students there better, I’m worried because it is far away from home(2.5 hours) I’ve never really been away from home for more than a few days and I worried that I’ll get homesick. Also my Dad works by this other college that is closer to home and I think he really wants me to go there…he always talks about how he would take me out for lunch sometimes. But another major problem is the college closer to home is much more expensive, and I know my parents say to not worry about the money but I don’t think they can afford it. So…should I still attend WPI or go to the college closer to home? Thanks!
IMO, 2 1/2 hours from home is the sweet spot! It’s close enough to spend the day with parents but too far for them to drop in unannounced.
College is an adjustment and I wouldn’t pay more $ to be closer to home.
WPI is quite a good school. 2 1/2 hours is really not all that far. If you have a problem, a parent can be there relatively quickly. However, you are far enough away to get some taste of being on your own.
It is normal to have second thoughts. Which university to attend is a big decision. However, saving money to attend a very good school with a better program in your major looks to me like very good reasons to make the sensible choice to go there.
You must have a very good relationship with your parents. If I were you I would purposely choose a faraway school just to get away from my parents.
But 2.5 is really not that far. It is at the place where you can be away from your parents but feels supported knowing they are not that far away from you.
For all of life, when you have made a big decision, you are likely to have second thoughts. Was that the ‘right’ choice? the ‘best’ choice’? what about the other choice? there are good parts to that one also. This is normal, and not a bad thing- if you keep it rational.
We don’t know what the college nearer to home is like- but the key is that you chose the one you did for a combination of the program and the sense of place that you got from it.
Ask yourself: did I consider the major pros and cons of each choice rationally and fairly? Am I making a choice that would look reasonable to somebody who was not emotionally invested in the decision? Am I making a choice that will severely limit my future choices?
So, from your post, I think you can answer those questions as yes, yes, and no. From here, it looks to this collegemom as if you have done a good job of navigating the college admissions process- with a superb outcome.
You will miss being home- sometimes! - and your parents will miss having you home. Overall, that’s a good thing- a sign of a happy family! But at some point every chick leaves the nest. Leaving my chicks to spend part of the day at pre-school was the first step to leaving them in their new dorm at college. We are sad to see you go and so, so happy to see you soar!
2 1/2 hours is not far away. You can go home for the day, parents can drive to take you to lunch on the weekend, or easily go home for the weekend. Relax…it’s all good!