I’m a NY based HS senior & my top choice is UIowa. I know you’re probably questioning that, as my parents are too and would rather me go to a school closer (such as my other top 2 schools, both no more than a 3 hour drive away)
I got in, got $13,000 in scholarships- even though we’ll be okay financially.
I’ve told them why I want to go there: I love their team; it’s good for what I want to go into, as well as other majors I know I’d switch to if I want to; I kinda want to experience a new place and life, I think it’ll help me mature and open up and become an adult.
My parent’s main issue is obviously the distance. It’s a 15 hour drive or a 4+ hour plane ride with a connecting flight b/c NY doesn’t go straight to Cedar Rapids. They’re saying they’ll never see me, which I completely understand. The only breaks for this upcoming year is a week for Thanksgiving, a month from Dec.-Jan. and a week of spring break (which I already know I’m not gonna go away w/ friends for) and school ends mid-May. Even though I know bus companies and flights to go home and go back to school, my parent’s are saying that snow will cause us not to see each other.
Since it snowed so much here in NY this winter, they’re scared that it’ll be bad again and be difficult to travel (I’ve checked Iowa’s weather all year and their snow storms aren’t bad).
I’ve even said I’ll do a work-study or get a part-time job so I can earn money for tickets as well as in general.
I just don’t know what to do- I really love the school, the spirit, the vibe I guess and can really see myself there.
The only thing keeping me away from my other top 2 (which aren’t all of the cons btw) are that my mom thinks I’m too smart for one and a “friend” from HS may go to the other one- and she’s the last person I’d want to attend school with (it’s a difficult situation)
tell them you want to give Iowa a try freshman year and if it doesn’t work out for some reason you will transfer back to a school closer to home. you go home for the major holidays and skype/ face time them in between. they will adjust and you will be fine.
It is just as likely that you would only see your parents during long breaks at a school that is 3 hours away. But, I think a big concern for parents is what if something bad happened. (To you or them!) and you were cut off from family.
Have you travelled much on your own? Travelling in and out of Cedar Rapids has pros and cons too. This is a small airport so it is very easy to navigate, park, etc. but, the connecting flights can mean long layovers, dinky planes and extra costs.
Iowa weather can be quite brutal. Public schools here had several snow days or late start days due to the cold temperatures. Iowa does not close for those reasons though, so you need to be prepared to trek out to your classes in sub zero temps. Also, we get blizzards. And floods. These do interfere with travel. I have concerns about this if my son ends up going oos.
Iowa does have great spirit though and many wonderful academic programs.
For your other school you do not want to attend due to the other person attending, is it a large or small school? As long as it is not a super small school, I don’t think you should let that other person hold you back from attending.
Just my two cents, but UIowa was my daughter’s top choice and now she wishes she wasn’t so far from home. She is the type of kid who couldn’t wait to get out of high school and start college. As it turns out, she is very homesick and we live only 3 1/2- 4 hours away! It turns out that the rahrah Big Ten environment is not what she appreciates. On the other hand, she has a friend from Colorado who is fine being away from her family.She went home with other students for spring break since it is so costly to go back to see her family. I don’t think her parents have been able to visit her at all. So try to assess whether you would be okay with the distance.
