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College represents an exciting transition point for young adults, as they move into a new, more independent phase of their lives. For many, it is the first time in their lives when they are no longer living with and close to their families.
As such, deciding which schools to apply to and attend is a major life decision. Attending a university does not only mean committing to a major or committing to its academic resources; it also means committing to the weather, size of community, location, and so much more.
One of the biggest factors students must consider when deciding which colleges to apply to and which one to attend is whether they want to be close to home or in a completely new environment. Our team at Dewey Smart is equipped to help students make such decisions along with guide them during their college application process. In addition, check out this article to see what some of the benefits of attending colleges close to home are and the benefits of universities further away.
“Near” is a subjective term, and as such its definition varies depending on who you ask. One easy, and consistent, way to define a school as “near” to home may be in-state schools versus out-of-state schools. However, for larger states like Texas and California, in-state schools may not be close enough to some residents to be considered “near.”
Similarly, in smaller states, going to a school “out-of-state” may still be “near”, requiring only a few hours of driving. Ultimately, it is up to the student and their families to craft this definition. It is valuable to consider what you define “near” and “far” as since attending one or the other has a sizable impact on your college experience.
Many students stay in their state when attending university for a multitude of reasons. According to data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics in May 2020, “for a majority of states (27 out of 50), residents comprised at least 75 percent of total beginning college student enrollment.” Staying close to home for university comes with several benefits worth considering.
One of the clearest benefits of staying close to home is having a support system that is easy to reach out to. Homesickness can affect many students. According to the JED Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to encouraging emotional wellbeing in youth and adolescents, 94% of students experienced homesickness sometime within their first 10 weeks at college, as found in an NIH study. For students who are at a university near their hometown, they can easily go back home for weekends, spending time with friends and family, countering some of these negative feelings.
Additionally, having family close by can be beneficial in unexpected situations like emergencies or illnesses, which can occur when in college.
Finally, travel during breaks is often a lot easier—and cheaper—when you are close to home, especially if you are within driving distance. Moving in and out, processes that involve lots of items and possessions, become a lot easier when you can transport your items via car versus flight or other methods of transportation.
One aspect of college admissions that students and families may be interested to know is that for many public schools, there are preferences for in-state students, due to state funding or other legislation. For example, according to a CollegeTransitions article, the University of Michigan has a 42% in-state acceptance rate compared to a 20% out-of-state acceptance rate.
While this shouldn’t discourage any out-of-state applicants from applying to schools they are interested in, students definitely consider applying to nearby, in-state schools if they find programs they are interested in.
The final bonus point for in-state schools that are close by to students is the instate tuition, which applies to public schools. According to a recent Forbes article, “in Washington, California and Florida, an out-of-state education costs about four times more than it would as a state resident.”
For some, considering this cost break is an important part of deciding whether to attend a school close by. It certainly doesn’t hurt to consider your local options to see if they are cost-effective, and will support you in your career goals.
While closer, in-state schools are a choice for many, students also may value the benefits of attending a school further from home, possibly out-of-state.
The world is truly your oyster when considering which college you are interested in attending. For those who are comfortable with or interested in being in a new environment, there are hundreds of schools to consider. In-state options, in comparison, can be much more limited simply since there are fewer to choose from.
Prospective students can consider which cities or regions may support them best in their career journeys, such as finding internship opportunities, when looking for schools that may be further away. For example, New York University (NYU) may be a good choice for students who want to be in the bustling New York City environment. In summary, when not limited to a certain geographical area, there is much more to choose from.
Being in a school further away from where you grew up is often a great option for students who are interested in either becoming more independent or having a fresh start, in a new place. Since they may be less reliant on their family and the proximity of their hometown, students in colleges that are further away are often challenged to grow and mature, developing key skills that become vital later in life.
College will naturally encourage the growth of these habits and skills in both students who attend school close to home and those that go further away, however students who are out-of-state or further away will also experience a larger sense of a “fresh start” since they are in a completely new environment.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you, the student. Location may or may not be important to you, and you will likely apply to schools both near and far from where you currently reside. Be sure to consider other factors as well. For example, the school size, whether you will be able to pursue the opportunities and majors that interest you, scholarships, and the many other aspects of designing a college list and selecting a school to attend.
At Dewey Smart, our services help you navigate these choices with our experienced near-peer tutors who can guide you through the process of designing a school list.
