<p>I'm in a bit of a pickle and decided I need opinions outside of my family. </p>
<p>I applied to nearly every university in my state that has a program for my degree and got accepted into all of them. I eventually shortened the list down to two schools. However, before December, I was encouraged to aim out of state to a school with half the acceptance rate of my state's schools but with an amazing program for what I plan to study. </p>
<p>Everything went wrong with paperwork for the out-of-state school. I had to talk to the admissions office to see if I would even have a chance of having my application being considered. After several weeks I finally accepted that I had probably been rejected and focused on the state schools I had been accepted into. Only to discover this week that I had actually been accepted to the out-of-state school and offered a generous scholarship. After thinking I've been rejected for so long it was quite a surprise to me which completely changed how I viewed the other colleges. Any advice, please?</p>
<p>In-State School (4 hours away from home)
-Tuition: estimate of $11,300 with scholarships
-Offers a program for what I want to study in and includes back-ups if I change my mind.
-Small campus located in a large city.
-Large city has limited transportation.
-I was accepted into the honors program.
-Two clubs I'm interested in.
-A lot of school spirit with several events happening on campus.
-Will not accept my AP credit but will accept all my college dual credits.
-Have actually visited campus and thought it was alright.
-Internships available after freshman year.</p>
<p>Out-of-State School (22 hours away from home)
-Tuition: estimate of $11,700 with scholarships.
-Campus is fairly small and the student population is the same as my current high school.
-Very small town but includes a wide of variety of transportation services within town and to get to nearby cities.
-Most famous for the program I plan to major in. Even includes other variations of the major.
-If I do well in the program and don't change my mind, I'm guaranteed into the graduate program for my masters.
-Includes my back-up plan majors.
-Opportunity to study abroad at least twice without it being extremely expensive.
-Three clubs I'm interested in.
-Will accept all my AP credit and college dual credits.
-Opportunity to apply to honors after a semester or year.
-Internships available after freshman year and they relate more to my major.</p>
<p>What does everyone think? Would it be worth it going out-of-state? I'm not worried about homesickness but moving-in and moving-out looks like it'll cause conflict due to distance. Both my parents stated they would prefer me to stay in state but are willing to pay the extra costs if I want to attend the out-of-state school. I'm just extremely panicky right now because it feels extremely strange having options available. </p>
<p>Go to the out of state school if you like it. It sounds like they are similar in cost, but will actually cost less because they take your AP credit. Congratulations!</p>
<p>Can you tell us what they are? But, without that, I would go with the OOS school. </p>
<p>Ditto. Those AP credits and pre-college courses are $ in the bank. </p>
<p>Really you should go to the school which feels like the best fit for you. The cost for the two are so similar. Which offers more opportunities to study, to be involved, for internships, for employment on the other end?</p>
<p>Just from what you described here, it seems like you have two choices that will meet your needs very well. But you make the OOS school sound more attractive, perhaps that is your leaning? It is only a temporary hassle to move in. That isn’t something to make such a decision on, that is just a minor detail. You have some time to let it sink in. I’d go with the amazing program and do a semester abroad.</p>
<p>edit to say p.s. more descriptive titles get more looks</p>
<p>It sounds like the OOS school would take you farther if you’re willing to take advantage of every opportunity offered, for a very similar cost (even if transportation is more expensive, the difference is a drop in the bucket of college costs). Congratulations on two excellent choices!</p>
<p>yes, for all these reason, the OOS school.</p>
<p>Maybe I’m naive but I strongly believe that some things are just meant to be. If you got accepted to the OOS school despite all the snafus and complications maybe it’s for a reason. In your descriptions of the two it definitely seems like you’re leaning towards that. Don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back. By the same token, don’t underestimate the significance of being a thousand (+?) miles away from home. Sit down with your parents, calendar in hand, and talk about the logistics…not just move-in and move-out, but holidays too. Options are never a bad thing. Congratuations!</p>
<p>I read your post and thought, “Wow, she is trying to get me to go to the OOS school!” You may not know, but you sure wrote like that is where you want to go. </p>
<p>Additionally, my approach would be bit different than a couple other posters - it is not the AP acceptances that jump out at me; it is the greater breath of options at the OOS school, and seemingly greater flexibility if you change what you want to do. I put more value on increased options and greater flexibility in majors above the one-time AP credits.</p>
<p>Do try to make decisions based on the knowledge you have. What JoBenny states is not knowledge you have. You don’t know if the trouble you had with the application is cause for anything at all. It is as likely the cause of the next asteroid near-collision as it is a cause for why you should attend the oos school. </p>
<p>Thank you for the advice everyone.</p>
<p>I do like the out-of-state school but I’ve been worried about the distance since the school is located in the East Coast and I’m from Kansas. I’m also a first gen college student so I also wanted some opinions that didn’t come from family members. I like the state school but the school’s main focus is engineering so most majors and internships tend to relate to that field. Seeing as the OOS school price tag went from $50k down to nearly $11k, I know I should take into consideration the opportunities given to me. </p>
<p>Pippa, Anna, whatever your name is, why not Dorothy?</p>
<p>@jkeil911
I went to the East Coast once and someone offered to buy me a little black dog. I told her I couldn’t accept the generous offer due to my dad’s allergies toward animal fur.</p>
<p>I am quite fond of the movie and the museum though. </p>
<p>Glad to hear it, being you’re such a book lover. What did you think of the light opera movie version of AK with Knightley?</p>
<p>Pippa: go to the East Coast school*, ESPECIALLY if you’re a first gen student. Your OOS college will have a lot more resources to ensure your success - these very selective schools only admit those who can succeed there and once you’re there, they make sure you fulfill your potential. As a first gen student, you’ll have a wealth of resources you wouldn’t have at your public college - better advising, smaller classes, walk-in tutoring center, free personal tutors, etc. (Compare graduation rates: you’ll see how much of a difference this support system is). And going to the #1 college for your major, for $11,000, really is a bargain.</p>
<ul>
<li>can you say what the school is? Advice may be different if you’re talking King’s or if you’re talking Kenyon…
But overall, the OOS school will have a better environment to ensure you, as a first gen student, succeed. </li>
</ul>
<p>Go for it! No guts no glory.</p>
<p>Seriously, it sounds like you want permission to go. If that is what you really want to do, I encourage you to try it. This is the time in your life to go out in the world and do new things and experience new places. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worthwhile.</p>
<p>If you have hesitation, of course, feel free to stay near home, too. Let yourself grow up a little more. </p>