<p>Hey HistoryMom and Cangel — I didn’t realize you grew up in the same rural town as my DW!!! I’m sticking by my advice (not to get involved) but I think I understand the OPs lament. It’s disheartening to see a child with great potential be guided to a decision based on limited purview. And before I get trashed by hoards accusing me of both arrogance AND parental interference, consider this. As DW was finishing her PhD in Microbiology and Biochemistry, her parents bought the house next door so “she will have a place to live when she comes back.” Theirs was an entirely understandable action, because in her town, up to that time, NO ONE HAD EVER LEFT. $30,000 still buys a nice house in that town.</p>