Torn between what College to select, Please help!

<p>I've been accepted to two colleges that I applied to. One of them is vastly superior in terms of academics,university life, starting job salary etc than the other and it's the college I really want to attend. The problem is it costs $10000 more per year than the other college. The other college is a 20 minute drive away from my house and my parents are blackmailing me to go there. I just don't think I'll be challenged there I have around a 4.1 GPA and the college near me accepts anyone with a 3.4 or above. I've offered to pay for it myself but my parents offended by that offer, they think I'm just being a rebel and only thinking about myself. My parents don't make too much and I don't really want to put any burden on them, but this is also my future and I don't want to make the wrong choice. What should I do?</p>

<p>How will you pay for college?</p>

<p>I was thinking about getting student loans.</p>

<p>$10k is a lot of money but most kids who are ready for college would be well-served by moving far enough from home that they can’t easily get back there (meaning at least a 5-hour drive or more - IMO).</p>

<p>Being far from home forces kids to learn new life skills and manage day-to-day problems. Also, if they’re within a short driving distance, its too easy for kids to remain close to old high school friends and avoid making new connections on campus. Those connections are such an important aspect of college life! So basically I’m in your camp that you’d probably be better served by choosing the more challenging school that’s farther away.</p>

<p>However please try to understand your parents aren’t blackmailing you but are concerned about the additional expense, so talk with them about the advantages you see to attending the more expensive school and plan how you can make up the difference. Call up the school’s financial aid center and ask them about loans as well as work opportunities on campus. </p>

<p>If it’s really not financially feasible then I would suggest taking the least expensive route and go to a community college and save up so you can transfer to your dream school at a later date. Once you have that degree no one will ask if you attended all four years. </p>

<p>What did your financial aid packages look like at each? Are there already student loans included?</p>