Recently, I have been so overwhelmed with finally coming to a conclusion to my college decision. Currently, I am deciding between two post-secondary institutions: Waynesburg University and Dickinson College. Dickinson is a private, liberal arts college, while Waynesburg is, of course, a private Christian college, which is important to me. However, it’s not imperative.
I’m just so upset right now deciding what I want. I need to have a decision by Friday, and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to think about what direction I want to continue my life. On one hand, I am so comfortable at Waynesburg. It’s literally 20 minutes from my house. Also, my family is so important to me, and I would be able to see them all of the time (that is perhaps the largest factor when considering Waynesburg). On the other hand, Dickinson College is much more reputable in undergraduate studies because they are more known - especially globally. The campus is beautiful and opportunities abound, not to mention the many different major possibilities (I’m entering undecided). The only downside is that I would be less comfortable because it is 3.5 hours from my house, away from family. Nonetheless, I do know that it is good to exit your comfort zone now and then.
I’m not asking you to make the decision for me, I would just love to know what you suggest and what you would choose in my shoes. If I went to Dickinson, in the end, it would cost me about $20,000, which is excellent compared to $250,000. Conversely, Waynesburg would cost me about $12,000.
Thank you all so, so much. I appreciate your help greatly, and I hope the best for you in all of your forthcoming endeavors.
I’d go with Dickinson. I know you say you’d be more comfortable at Waynesburg, but part of going to college is going outside of your comfort zone, experiencing something new and exciting. 3 1/2 hours may seem like a lot but trust me, it’s nothing. You’ll get over the distance. If you really feel home sick, you’re at least somewhat close to home. Plus, Dickinson is a great school that I’d hate to think of someone passing up. So unless the extra $8000 is too much of a financial hardship (I’d understand if it was, I’m just unfamilar with your family’s economic situation), I’d go with Dickinson.
Let me know what you pick!
I think, for you, moving out of your comfort zone a little bit would be a positive step, and Dickinson is offering you a good deal. If you and your family can afford the difference with Dickinson, it is an appreciably better education, and not that far from your home and family. Honestly, going to college twenty minutes from your house could eventually become a constricting drawback. Also, do not dismiss the potential for meeting students at Dickinson who have similar faith and beliefs as you – as well as students with different beliefs, which can also help you grow intellectually and personally.
I don’t see that you are much concerned with career potential afterwards, but I think you should be. Dickinson is really a step above for that, and may help you more long-term. You may not have many opportunities in your life for such a transformative experience, so choose wisely.
Gdlt234, thank you so much for the fast response! I am undoubtedly leaning toward Dickinson, and you’re absolutely right, experiencing new things is all about the college experience. Ugh… I’m just so nervous! Haha. Are you a current college student?
Thank you, anhydrite. That was a very clear-cut response. I am absoluely concerned with career potential afterwards, but, as of now, college selection is #1 on my concern list. Money is not an issue.
@David5487 Don’t worry about it, I’m sure the nerves will calm down as soon as you enroll!
Also, I’m not a college student yet. Going to be next year though, so I’m in the same boat as you are. I’m going to Emory University in Georgia, I’m from Washington, so you can imagine the culture shock I’m in for! But hey, that’s what college is about.
@gdlt234 Wow! I feel bad for even questioning the distance between my home and college now. Clearly there is a large disparity for you. Emory is a remarkable school though, so congratulations!! Enjoy the East Coast!
I realize that Waynesburg is closer and cheaper but you will be wasting 12k a year going there. Dickinson is there for you at a price lower than Pitt or Penn State.
This is a no brainer. Dickinson all the way. Waynesburg is not worth even that low tuition.
The student body at Dickinson will be much more academically accomplished than at Waynesburg. The programs are likely to be better, and the faculty more able to spend time with their students (72% of Waynesburg faculty are part time, likely adjuct instructors, while only about 20% of Dickinson’s are). Join one of the [Christian clubs](Religious Organizations | Religious Organizations | Dickinson College) at Dickinson, resign yourself to the fact that you might only go home on long weekends or holidays, and have a great college career. By the way only 54% of Waynesburg students will ever [url=<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=waynesburg&s=all&id=216694%5Dgraduate%5B/url”>http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=waynesburg&s=all&id=216694]graduate[/url] from the school while 86% of Dickinson students [url=<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=dickinson&s=all&id=212009#enrolmt%5Ddo%5B/url”>http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=dickinson&s=all&id=212009#enrolmt]do[/url]. This makes a big difference in terms of student culture.
Thank you all so much for the responses. I really appreciate your assistance. Everything you have told me has definitely impacted my outlook.
By the way, I should have been more concise, but when I said “in the end it would cost me about $20,000,” I meant at the very end (after my four years).
You are welcome. Wow, for $20K total, vs. $12K total, over a period of four years – yes, Dickinson. That is really great, and I think you will have a great experience. Be patient if it takes a little getting used to being further away, and in a new environment – you will settle in, and many will feel similar.
I also think you made the right choice. Give Dickinson “the old college try.” It will be easy to transfer back to Waynesburg if you end up regretting the choice. But you won’t!
I’m glad you are happy with your decision. It is okay to still be nervous and even a bit scared. Just remember, most of the freshman you meet on your new campus will feel the same way.
It will help your experience in the fall semester if you bring along an attitude of friendliness, and a willingness to smile and step out of your comfort zone to introduce yourself to others. Bring along a suitcase full of patience, as friendships take time to form, and the people you interact with initially may not end up becoming the life long friends you might be seeking. Commit to getting involved in activities, and seek out like-minded students to form study groups.
It’s a relief to know your family is only 3.5 hours away, and hopefully knowing your family could drive up to see you or you could catch a ride home to see them will give you the safety net you might need.
Your college experience is mostly dependent on what you make of it. Each school will have great opportunities, and it is up to you to reach out and grab hold of the ones that interest you.
I want to add to this thread just in case someone looks at it later. I’ll start by saying congrats OP, I think you made the right choice, and I would’ve advised selecting Dickinson as well - although for different reasons than most people in this post.
I reject the notion that college is about going far away from family, going outside of your comfort zone, and having 100% new experiences. I’m also always kind of baffled when students here express a desire to stay close to home and people see that as the precise reason why they should go away. I don’t see anything wrong with wanting to stay close to family and friends. I went to college about 30 minutes away from my home, and I still had brand-new experiences and learned a lot of new things. The fact that you are in college, as an adult, with an entire bevy of new people and new professors and new things to learn changes the entire game. Exploring your hometown as an adult is totally different than exploring it as a teenager. And you will have a new and different relationship with your parents because of your emerging adulthood.
Honestly, only a small and relatively wealthy (relative to the rest of the population) goes away to college. The majority stay within 50 miles of home and commute to college. That doesn’t mean that they never grow up; just that their experience of blossoming adulthood may be a bit different (but may not be. As a college student, after my first semester I rarely went home).
That said, I still think Dickinson was the right choice - but it was more about the quality of the education that you’d receive there than the distance. As someone else pointed out, Waynesburg has primarily adjunct professors and a low six-year graduation rate; Dickinson has higher-quality faculty and a much better graduation rate. Your classmates will also be more intellectually curious and accomplished, meaning that your classes will probably be more challenging. ANd I do think you’ll have more post-college opportunities from Dickinson than Waynesburg. Just my two cents!