<p>So, I applied to seven schools and only ended up getting into two. However, they are both really good schools. I got into the University of Washington in Seattle and Emory University. My problem is that I can't decide whether or not I am ready to move across the country to go to Emory (I live in Washington). My question is if you could give me some advice/experiences about going to college across the country?</p>
<p>Back in the stone age, I went from a small city in the mid-west to a college on the east coast. I was in the same state where my mother had been born and grew up, and I all of her family was within about 3 hours by public transportation so I always had somewhere to go for fall break, Thanksgiving, spring vacation, etc. I took college friends along with me, and my extended family welcomed them as one of their own. I also made friends with students whose families lived nearby and was taken home with them for fall break, Thanksgiving, spring vacation, etc. and was welcomed into their homes as one of their own. It can work.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you must never underestimate the expense of your travel between home and college. You will not always be able to get a "cheap flight" when you want/need one. And, taking the bus or train from Washington to Georgia would be a very long ride.</p>
<p>Likewise, your family probably won't be able to come see you if you are in a play, or hear you perform in a concert. My parents and sisters came to my campus exactly once, and that was to see me graduate.</p>
<p>I was lucky to have a monster financial aid package that allowed me to attend my "dream" college for four years. I would not change that experience for anything. However, there were prices to be paid, and one was being separated from my immediate family.</p>
<p>Your decision is not an easy one. I wish you all the best.</p>
<p>First, congratulations on having 2 very good options.</p>
<p>Going far away from home is a big step. You need to decide for yourself what the trade offs are and which ones are OK for you. Our son narrowed his choices to the State school 2.5 hours from home and another school that was 2 plane rides from home. He knew that we could not afford to fly him home all that often. He decided to take the leap, go for the farther-away school, and it has worked out very well for him. Others would have made the other choice and it would have been right for them.</p>
<p>Best of luck, and come back if you have more specific questions about logistics, etc.</p>
<p>What typically happens when you go off on your own (literally or figuratively)?</p>
<p>This family is sending 2 children cross country for college (from your general neck of the woods). Both kiddos have friends at the U-dub who are quite happy and content to be there. That is just not the college experience, or kind of school my kiddos wanted. </p>
<p>It is not easy to be so far from home and travel can be a pain. But the growth my children have experienced to date has been tremendous. They have learned to be quite self reliant (many times there isn't much I can do for them beyond "cell phone support" from 3,000 miles!). The friendships they are forming with others from all over the country is an amazing thing to watch. I just don't think that would have happened if they'd have gone to "the U".</p>
<p>But then again, not everyone has that sense of adventure or even the means, so that's a consideration as well. (And I admit it - I encouraged/"pushed" my children to go away, hard as it was on me, because at the end of the day I knew it would be the right thing for them to do.)</p>
<p>If you want greater details about specifics, logistics, etc...of how we've handled the distance, let me know.</p>
<p>It strikes me that UW and Emory are very different schools. Is one a better fit for you? Once you've answered that question, the travel piece becomes easier to think about. </p>
<p>I'm with vulture3, above. Moving away from home feels like the right step. My D1 is heading across the country in the fall and I just booked her Thanksgiving and Christmas travel back home. This seemed to make both of us feel better about the distance. Even if she signed up for the college down the road, I suspect I wouldn't be seeing her much next year. </p>
<p>ADad asks the right question: are you usually homesick when you're away from home, or do you enjoy experiencing new faces and places?</p>
<p>Congratulations on these great choices!</p>
<p>I think it is more of a life education o come back "home" than it is to never experience leaving it. </p>
<p>I went 4 states away to Emory (39 years ago) for 2 years and transferred to my state-university to finish. Emory wasn't a particually good fit after all, but I know I benefitted from getting away and truly being "out there" and much more on my own.</p>
<p>You might ask yourself if you find the thought of venturing away exciting? If so, go with it.</p>