<p>So I'm a junior and have been exploring my options for next year. I live in Massachusetts so there are obviously some really good schools close to home and in the Boston area. However, I've always had this desire to go to Southern California. Always. I was looking at some USC things today and if I was to get in there, that would be insane. I know that there financial aid is fantastic too so if I get in and get the right package, why wouldn't I go? My Dad thinks I should go because it would be a great opportunity. </p>
<p>I'm just really nervous as a girl whose never spent more than a night away from my family would be going cross the country at 18 by myself be too hard on me? My dad lost his job a few years back so the thought of flying home all the time isn't really one. I think my family would come help me move in but I don't think they'd ever visit. </p>
<p>I know that I'd be flown in for Thanksgiving and Christmas though, definitely. I just don't know if I can handle it or not, I want to.. so badly but like I really don't know. There are plenty options around here and I know I may be prematurely thinking this because I haven't even applied but I'm just wondering has anyone dealt with a situation like this?</p>
<p>Have any of you gone across the country for school? Are you glad you did? Did you get accepted and decided not to go? If you were in my shoes what would you do?</p>
<p>I moved to Hermosa Beach (just outside of LA) right after I graduated from a college on the east coast. Just felt I needed to get out of there! I loved it! I couldn’t afford to go back and forth either - I did get lonely - and after a year I ended up moving back home. However looking back now, 25 years later, I’m so glad I went. It was the experience of a lifetime. I say go for it!</p>
<p>Wanderlust may be genuine interest in USC and SoCal, or maybe you want to live someplace other than where you have spent your entire life. If you finances can manange it, can you get into a summer programs at a school away from home (ideally, one you may want to attend, maybe USC)? You really have to have a frank discussion about college & money with your family and see what they can genuinely support. It sounds like your dad at least is not overprotective. </p>
<p>Semesters abroad and transfer credits from another school with special programs are other ways to spend time in a different location without all four years on the “other side of the US”.</p>
<p>I moved from East Coast to SoCal for 8 months (co-op job) and to the west coast again for 1st post-college job. I’m glad I did it, but I <em>HATED</em> the LA area (hey ACF - Torrance) and moved back east after 2-3 years @ the other job. I’ve been back to SoCAL on business trips; yep, visits are OK, living there still not for me. YMMV.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, maybe I’ll try doing a summer program in Boston or somewhere closer to home to see how I do away from home. </p>
<p>I’d definitely have to check out USC and the LA area before deciding to go there, but financially I don’t know how likely it would be before getting an acceptance letter. Thank you for your advice though on So Cal, I guess I’ll have to check it out for myself… especially before dedicating living 4 years there</p>
<p>I too moved to LA right after college with a real job. I lived and worked in the Thousand Oaks area which is a very nice non-LA like part of LA and more like a small town. I stayed 4 years and loved every day. Great place to be in your 20’s. I might just retire there now after going down for the Rose Bowl. Thousand Oaks still has that small-town charm and great location near beaches and LA city. But safe and quiet.</p>
<p>Woah. I’m a junior from New Jersey and my first choice school is USC. We’re exactly in the same boat haha. Honestly, if I got admitted, I would go there in a heartbeat. I’m a little scared of being so far away from home but I think it would be worth it for the experience. You def. should go to USC if accepted! I know I am.</p>