Not sure if this is the right place for this but I’m not really sure where else to ask it. I’ve always dreamt of going to an Ivy League and after a lot of hard work in high school I think I have a shot. However, I’ve also been with my girlfriend for 3 years now and we have discussed living together after high school. She is still on the fence about attending college in the first place and if she does would likely go to a community college. I’m going to apply early decision so I won’t have the flexibility of figuring everything out later. I’ve heard that nearly all Ivy League students live on campus. Is living off campus even an option for freshmen? Has anybody attended an Ivy League and managed to have a relationship like this? Any experiences or ideas would be appreciated because I don’t want to have to choose between the two.
Don’t choose. If you get into a residential college that’s affordable, go there. You can see your girlfriend on breaks.
Worry about this if and after you get in. What does applying ED have to do with this? You would have had to face this decision anyways regardless of whether you went to an Ivy or not regardless of applying ED.
Many colleges require freshman to live on campus. Some that have this requirement give exemptions to freshmen whose parents live locally. You need to research the requirements of each school you are intersrested in.
I think most Ivy Leagues require at least 1 year on campus as a freshman. But if she just goes to community college, and her parents are funding it, perhaps she could go in whichever city you’re going to school.
I am going to assume most colleges you are applying to are out of town where freshman year you will be required to reside on campus if you are too far a distance from home. Focus first on getting admitted because going to a school where you can focus on your career goals should be your first priority. College is an opportunity to meet new people and that is part of the learning experience. You can still keep in touch with your high school friends on holidays when you go back home but you should be focusing on getting involved on campus, doing well in school, and taking advantage of the opportunities the college has to offer. Who knows you make new relationships in college but it is too early to tell. I wouldn’t make any commitments in a relationship at this time when your priority should be getting admission into a good school so that you can have good career opportunities once you graduate.
Apply with the assumption that you and your girlfriend will not be together come freshman year of college.
IF you get in and IF you are still together by the time decisions are due, then cross that bridge then.
Personally, as someone who had the same boyfriend through all of high school and part of college, I think it’s incredibly dumb and short-sighted to base your college decision on a relationship. If you both want to, you’ll find a way to make it work.
Most top colleges do require freshman to live on-campus.
Moreover, you really should, and you really should want to. A lot of bond formation and the experience happens in the residence halls at elite colleges.
I married my high school sweetheart, so I know how it is. But really, being too attached/into your high school boyfriend/girlfriend can prevent you from integrating and really having a full experience at your college. It’s one of my few regrets from college - not having a boyfriend from high school, but being far too invested in my relationship and too eager to grow up to the point that I let it interfere with my own socioemotional development and non-romantic friendship formation in college.
Bluntly put, you have many years to be an adult - living with your partner, dealing with mundane life/relationship stuff. College is a very short and unique time in which you have few responsibilities and a lot of freedom and opportunity. Take advantage of it. Plan to live on campus and visit your girlfriend on breaks and weekends or whatever else. If you guys stay together, you can always live together after college.