<p>This probably sounds kind of stupid but here goes.....</p>
<p>I just go into Pittsburgh. I live in NJ about 6 hours away. I also got into Rutgers. I would really prefer Pitt over Rutgers, but it all comes down to my dog pretty much. I have a nine year old beagle who is my world. If I were to go to college I would miss him so much. I would also feel bad because my parents would be the only ones at my house and they wouldn't give him enough attention. Even though he's nine, he doesn't act like an old dog and he easily gets bored so if my parents aren't taking him on walks or petting him randomly, I KNOW he will get really depressed and that makes me feel horrible.</p>
<p>Should I just go to Rutgers? It's not like I hate Rutgers or anything; I just like Pittsburgh a lot better. Have you had to deal with this or anything like it? Advice?????????</p>
<p>^^^
Live at home and go to Community College. Train the dog and your parents during the next two and a half years before transferring to Pitt. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Come to Pitt and bring your dog. Instead of living on campus, rent an apartment that allows pets. Renting an apartment is inexpensive in Pittsburgh and plenty of undergrads do, even freshmen.</p>
<p>I think that I can probably guarantee that once you are in college, your dog will no longer be your world. </p>
<p>It’s like people who choose colleges based on their boyfriends/girlfriends… sure, you can DO it, but if it ends badly, you will probably always look back and wonder whether you should have made the other choice. </p>
<p>Make sure you do one of those sleepover type visits at BOTH colleges so you can make sure that you like Pitt better. If you do, then follow the advice of QuantumMarcus.</p>
<p>Of course if you follow QuantumMarcus’s advice you will need to:
Find an affordable apartment that accepts dogs and also isn’t a garbage pit
Find roommates that want to live with a dog (and will be “nice” to him) or live by yourself (and pay the entire rent)
Schedule your classes so that your dog isn’t left alone for too long and experiences the same issues you are worried about happening at home
Good Luck!</p>
<p>joopstah - I’m going to say what many people are probably thinking, but don’t want to be quite so blunt. </p>
<p>Do not…and I repeat…do not make big life’s decision based upon a family pet. It is truly admirable that you have that much affection for your pet. And it’s heart-warming that you are thinking about a living creature beyond your existence (and I mean that genuinely). But let’s face it - your dog will probably only live six more years, at most. Do you really want to make a major life decision based on something that is a short-term issue? Although your parents may not pay as much attention to your pet as you, honestly, I have no doubt they will feed the dog and care for him. At some point in time between now and six years from now you will be separated from the dog - either temporarily or permanently. This is all part of the cycle of life. We all experience some form of separation anxiety…but we have to deal with it. It may be helpful for you to talk to someone about that. It’s not going to get any easier the older you get if you don’t deal with those issues now.</p>
<p>You don’t want to live your life having regrets. I would hazard to guess that if you made your college decision based upon being close to Sparky, you will regret that years from now since you may be severely limiting your options. Something to think about…</p>
<p>Remember you will be home for the equivalent of one-third of the calendar year, just on breaks. I’d try to recruit a neighbor (or pay someone) to come visit your dog and take it on a walk when you are gone. there are people who do dog sitting for a living. Your parents also may be able to drop your dog off occasionally at doggie day care while they work. That is becoming increasingly popular and common.</p>