<p>As folks comment, I thought it would be helpful for them to see your acceptance list. You have a lot of fine opportunities. My suggestion is that since you're interested in exploring another region of the country, now may be the best time in your life to take advantage of this opportunity.</p>
<p>You have no mortgage, no kids to move. You still are young and open to new possibilities. In addition, you are at the age in which one is expected not to be that sophisticated. It's an absolutely fine time to learn things including how to adapt to new parts of the country.</p>
<p>Have you visited any of these colleges? Some -- particularly places like Brandeis, may be willing to fly you up. It's hard to make a decision without spending time on campus.</p>
<p>If you don't like where you end up, you always can transfer back home. </p>
<p>I was accepted to:</p>
<p>Troy University (safety)
Alabama State University (no)
University of Alabama (no)
Tulane University (maybe)
University of La Verne (no)
Drexel University (no)
Colorado School of Mines (maybe...too cold)
Howard University (probably)
Rollins College (probably not)
Shorter College (no)
Saint Joseph's College (maybe)
Dillard University (too ghetto)
Loyola University New Orleans (perfect)
Hood College (no)
Brandeis University (maybe)
Kettering University (maybe)
University of Detroit Mercy (no)
Maryville University of St. Louis (maybe)
Rockhurst College (maybe)
Fordham University (probably)
Pace University (maybe)
Hobary & William Smith Colleges (maybe)
Manhattan College (maybe)
St. John's University (no)
Notre Dame (maybe)
Xavier University (maybe)
Chestnut Hill College (no)
Philadelphia University (possibly)
University of the Sciences (maybe)
Johnson & Wales Univeristy-RI (no)
Cumberland University (no)</p>
<p>How about checking when some of these schools have their weekends for new admits. Don't some of them offer paid trips to these weekends? Sometimes you just have to ask. I'd sure try to find a way to visit the most interesting ones, before deciding. Choosing randomly would be sad when you have so much choice. If you aren't used to traveling, this might be the time to get over it. It's an important decision, and worth the investment even if you have to pay your own travel expenses.</p>
<p>edit.... whoops. I hadn't seen Northstarmom's post when entered mine. But you get the message. It's a great world out there - go check it out!</p>
<p>Especially because you're a URM from Alabama, I bet you can get schools to fly you there for free. I remember several years ago I interviewed a black applicant to Northwestern. He was accepted and NU flew him from California to Illinois for the admit weekend...as did Carnegie-Mellon and some other schools. It wouldn't hurt to give Brandeis a call and see if they'll do that for you fairly soon, seeing that you have your acceptance.</p>
<p>3.97 - I agree with other posters. You need to visit some of these schools. This is a rural, small town area of Alabama - not just URM diversity. You also need to protect your own interests in the sense of asking tough questions of yourself and the school, because some of these will be a BIG change. I 100% agree with Northstarmom about this being a great opportunity, but not if you are so uncomfortable, homesick, out of place, whatever that you do poorly in school. Be honest with yourself. Sit in on some classes - don't flame me guys, this is my home state - some small rural schools in Alabama are quite good, despite the general wisdom, some aren't so hot! Sit in on classes and be sure the coursework is stimulating and seems like something you can handle (Don't feel badly, DD had the same feelings until she sat in on Dartmouth and Amherst classes, after all even we Alabamians believe some of the bad publicity that the schools are awful - she went to biology at each place, and was comforted by the knowledge that the topics were familiar, not "Greek"). Again, being so far from home, you want to minimize other stresses, you don't want to find yourself drowning. Is you family military?</p>