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Are out of state schools worth it? I get homesick easily but there are better schools outside of where I live...

The schools I'm interested in are mainly out of state, and on opposite sides of the country (from where I live). I hear that a majority of people stay within 5 hrs of their hometown. #distance #school #college-admissions

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Jad’s Answer

This really depends on your choice of major, local career opportunities, and your overall desire to move out of state. After factoring all this, I would strongly consider the difference of costs that you’d expect (and not expect) to find yourself paying for. There are many additional costs to factor in between living and board, food, out of state tuition prices, etc. and this can quickly add up. If you have a career opportunity in this new area, or scholarships to help pay, this may not be as big an issue. But for many this will cause tens of thousands in student loans that will be a commitment to follow for years to come.

Not to say that this does not mean it’s not worth moving out of state for college, it just means you’ve to take a look at your priorities and opportunities around you. Personally speaking, I stayed local, went to a community college to get my associates degree, then a local university to double major in finance and economics. Because of a mix of scholarships, staying at home rent free, and working part time during all of this, I was able to pay for school myself and graduated without taking any loans. Debt is not something to take on lightly, especially student loans which are uniquely not able to be written off if you are ever forced to declare a bankruptcy.
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Matthew’s Answer

Lisa, thanks for posting this question. It's definitely worth your time and consideration as you prepare for the next season of life in college. Getting homesick easily is understandable, especially if you haven't spent much time away from the local area where you live. That will play a role in your pursuit of the best college program for you when it's time to attend school. There are a few things I would encourage you to consider while you plan for this next step:

Matthew recommends the following next steps:

Connect with your high school counselor and determine the best options for your post-secondary studies. Would you consider going to a local community college (if one is available), and then possibly transferring to another state school (perhaps a little further away?) This would help you start the next phase of life slowly and adjust to the level of demand at college while also staying close to home. This is one I would recommend in terms of planning.
Secondly, if you wanted to leave the area completely, then I'd look at good, small four-year colleges that offer the program you want, that are relatively close to home (within 3-4 hours) and offer a good financial aid package. This is a little tricky only because out-of-state tuition isn't always cheap and makes the search process difficult. However, if your grades and test scores are high, I'd encourage you to talk with that college's admissions department. They might be able to work something out with Financial Services to help you receive good aid. If they really like what they see in your potential for academic success, they will make something happen for you.
Next, I'd encourage you to think about what makes you feel homesick. And, just as important, think about who you want to become. I heard a song lyric once that said, "Where you go is where you grow." If you decide to stay close to home, you will grow only as much as you want. If you choose to get away from home, you'll grow as a person much more than you imagined, and you'll become stronger along the way.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best! ~ Matt
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