To go or not to go?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Since it is the spring of Junior Year, I am attempting to seriously narrow down my list and choose where I am going to apply. However, the major factor that remains is whether or not I want to live away. I live in NYC, and so there are so many opportunities and schools only a subway ride away. Still, I am interested in some PA and CT schools...since I never spent an extended time away from home, I do not know if living in a dorm is right for me. How does one determine whether or not to go away? This factor seems the ultimate indicator to my choice--and yet I do not know how to approach it. Any advice???? </p>

<p>Thanks in advance...</p>

2

<p>want2BIvy: Your dilemma is one faced by many Juniors. First of all, the vast majority of Juniors out there have never been away from home for an extended period of time, so going away to college can be pretty scary.</p>

<p>My advice is this: Make a list of pros and cons of both living at home and living on campus. Then, evaluate the list. Then, look at what "fits" you best.</p>

<p>Remember, living on campus adds a tremendous amount to the whole learning aspect. Five years after one graduates from college, he/she is more likely to remember the experiences of living on campus than what was learned in the classroom.</p>

<p>Also, by living on campus you are much more likely to "connect" with the college you attend. "Connectedness" is a major factor in a student's satisfaction with the college he/she attends.</p>

<p>Perhaps you should consider a compromise. That is, live on a college campus that is relatively close to home, so it's a "smaller step" for you. You could even choose to live on campus at a college that is only a short subway ride from home, or you could go to a college that is within a couple hours, allowing you to go home when you want to.</p>

<p>In my opinion, I'd suggest giving going away to school a chance, even if it's a school within 25 minutes of home. If you don't like living on campus, you can always move back home. Or, pick a school within a couple of hours from home, but give it a fair chance (at least a year). If you don't like it, you can transfer.</p>

<p>Keep an open mind, and don't get caught up in the frenzy of going to a "big name" school. The most important thing is that you end up at a college that is a good fit with your personal, social and academic goals.</p>

3

<p>i think that college is an experience and that living at home would dull that experience. In NYC, it would be illogical to get a dorm room while you already can live their with your parents because of how expensive they are. what colleges are you looking at. also, if it is just a matter of homesickness, i would say that you should definetly go away. you aren't going to live with you parents forever (i hope).</p>

4

<p>You have got to get out of there eventually so college is pretty much the best time to do it. Besides you will be partying anyway until like 4 am every weekend so you will not want to go home. You will want to just crash in a dorm. The experience would definitely be worse if you stayed at home w/ parents. Unless you are financially unable to pay room & board, go away.</p>

5

<p>wow, you might go all the way to Connecticut. Broad horizons my friend, kudos. Sry, didn't mean to be an a**. I think you should try going away from home. Living in a dorm is a valuable experience.</p>

6

<p>I can understnad not wanting to leave NYC...</p>

7

<p>Many colleges have resident summer programs for high school students. If one of the colleges you are seriously interested in has one and it fits within your overall college budget, you may want to look into going. The programs usually last 4 - 6 weeks and many offer college credits. My daughter attended Syracuse's summer program last summer. It was the first time she was away from home for an extended period and gave her a real taste of what it was like to live on a college campus in a dorm. It is also a great opportunity to study something you are interested in at a college level and take a "test drive" of a school you are interested in.</p>

8

<p>I would suggest trying to live away from home if that is the main problem. Otherwise, I would suggest visiting (maybe an extended visit) the schools that are farther away. If you really fall in love with one of these schools, the pain of being away from home will be lessened.</p>

9

<p>I'd urge you to go away if you can afford to. You might be very surprised at how fun it is to live on campus and in a dorm! Also, there is life outside NYC! Hard to believe I know...</p>