<p>I have many friends that are attending schools near where i live, and i do not want to do this because i was thinking of my future and see other school far away as a better chance even if it means that you have to be far from your friends and have to make new friends in a whole different enviroment.</p>
<p>Part of the fun of college can be going off, experiencing something new, and sharing and comparing those experiences with your HS friends as you come back for vacations. I didn't get to have that experience. As someone who lived in the same town as our state U and had to pay her way through college, leaving was not an option. Those friends of mine who did really benefited from getting away and experiencing something new. And as time passed during college, I found myself spending more time with friends in my major.</p>
<p>I understand your reluctance to go out of state. But I think you will look back with regret later if you don't leave. Personally I'd vote for Stanford as it is an amazing school filled with friendly, fantastic students.</p>
<p>stanfordkid2008, I have a delightful kid who sounds very much like you, so I think I understand your situation a bit. Here's a suggestion -- enroll at one of the more select schools (not necessarily Stanford, just the one that appeals to you the most for whatever reason) and spend a year there. If after a year, you are not happy with that choice, it will probably be fairly easy to transfer back to the state school and join your old friends. As many people have pointed out, giving up the more selective schools could be one of those decisions you regret later in life. This way you won't have to wonder whether you made the right choice or not, and you will eventually end up in the school that's right for you.</p>
<p>Can you delay admission at one of the top schools you were admitted to and attend your state U for a year or two?</p>
<p>This is a very hard choice to make, but in my opinion you should go to were ever you feel comfortable. Dont go to the college to please your parents because in the end it is YOU who will be going every single day and besides its your life. But independent from my opinion, choose what akes you feel better.</p>
<p>i agree, alex. im in this same boat too, but not about the whole friend situation. i honestly think id be happier at tulane than i would be at any one of the three more selective and more prestigious schools im deciding between. plus, tulane is giving me lots of money. but i feel like i would be letting everyone down if i went to tulane. sigh.<br>
OP, do whatever feels best. i got a dove chocolate the other day that said "follow your instincts." take the advice of the chocolate.</p>
<p>for the friends situation, the truth is that people do drift apart. please don't let that be your deciding factor. i enrolled in a school in a different country, where i literally didn't know anyone out of 3000 kids. i'm fine now, and it's honestly one o fhte most humbling experiences i've ever had. once you go into such a different environment you really get to know yourself better and how you relate to people. i hated the idea of moving to america ; absolutely hated it. now i think it's probably one of the best decisions my parents ever made. try something new. and don't worry, you'll find friends wherever you go.</p>
<p>I agree with mimom, pick the prestigious school you like best. Then after one year, if you feel uncomfortable there, or haven't made as many new friends as you've hoped you can transfer to the state school in an instant. Have you gone on college visits? </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Here's the problem: people change, and so will you. You really may not want to be around half the friends you hold dear now -- or they may not want to be around you. People really change during the years between hs, college, and right after college. By going to your state school, it sounds like you'll be trying to kind of hang on to hs. Let go. You can't go home again. One never steps in the same stream twice -- it is always changing.</p>