I’m a junior in high school and I think I’m accidentally late to the game looking this stuff up. The reason i want to know if it’s different is because I always thought I would go out of state but now I am not so sure. I have two older sisters who both went to instate schools (UVA and VCU respectively). That being said my father gave both of them (and me) the option of paying for our out of state tuition, if that’s where we wanted to go.
I was already thinking about how out of state is a lot of money when we found out my dad had cancer. I want to make it clear that he is 100% okay now but there was a time when we were not sure if he’d only have at a maximum five years left. This being said, the doctors made it clear that if his cancer ever came back, it would be very very bad. For that reason, now I’m a little timid to leave Virginia in case something happens.
When I asked about both the money issue and his health, he said I shouldn’t worry about it and to make sure I live my life based on what I think is best for me.
I’m trying to decide what is best for me right now but it’s hard because every article published by an organization or whatever clearly has an agenda on if it’s superior to go out of state or not. I think what my rule of thumb will be is that if I continue my dream of film (which isn’t likely because that’s one of the least stable jobs out there but I digress) than I will only apply to out of state or private schools with film programs. If I decide film isn’t for me, I will probably stay in a Virginia school? Is that a smart thing to do? I have to admit it didn’t start dawning on me to figure out a college plan until suddenly it seemed everyone but me had one.
Unless there is a specific program or school you want to go out of state, or for a large scholarship, I dont see why one would spend the extra money.
I think that it sounds like your father wants you to live out your dreams, no matter what happens to him. That is what many parents would want for their child.
On the flip side, if you would be miserable being far away from your family, then you can make your dreams happen from a state school as well. Success is more about the person and less about where he got his degree.
If you do some research and determine that a private OOS school has alumni connections that may help you break into your desired field, and decide you can live with being away from home as long as everything is okay at home, and that the finances are not prohibitive… well, you always can take a leave of absence if there is a reason to hurry home… which I hope there is not.
Good luck to you in your college search and best wishes to you and your family.
When you are busy and happily involved in your college academically and socially, it doesn’t really matter whether it’s an hour or thirty hours away from home, you won’t go home that often either way (though it tends to be a lot easier if you live close). What’s most important is that you find a school and program that meets your needs.
Visit schools and find the one that seems like the best match for you. The surroundings, the people, the program, the food, the library, etc. Don’t think “in sate” or “out of state.” Think where do I see me fitting in and being happy for four years?
Virginia has excellent state schools. If you don’t have anything specific in mind, stay in state (it’s a big state!). That way you will have all the advantages of great school, near to home, less expensive. And will have a choice of types with VCU, UVA, William and Mary, VA Tech of the most well known providing a lot of variety to choose from. With even more choices coming from JMU, Christopher Newport, GMU etc.