<p>“I decided to attend Ohio State instead of Alabama because my family wished for me to remain close by”-OP</p>
<p>I am glad you parents are in agreement with you now. Many students want to leave the area they grew up in. My kids grew up in a college town that is home to one of the best public flagships in the country. Both turned it down and went to schools that were not ivies, probably not ranked much higher but very were different (and small) and in different parts of the country. Our rule was “make it comparable in cost”.</p>
<p>Even though both of OPs schools are similar in terms of structure,size, sports, etc there is a difference in student population. Both schools are state schools who have hugely instate populations: Alabama (94% instate), Ohio State (88% instate). Perhaps there was something about the southern feel the OP liked. I attended UNC as a out-of-state student (it is 82% instate) many years ago. It was a huge cultural adjustment for me. 30+ years later, I am still in NC. Something about the population felt right to me at the time and still does.</p>