Among the myriad decisions you have to make concerning college, a big one is how close to home, or how far away do you want to be? Like all other decisions, this one has pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses for each situation.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you want the college you pick to be the right one for you academically and socially. The next few years will be an important time for you. A good friend of mine went to a small private college that was only 40 minutes away from her home.
Then her family decided to move to another state as her father was offered a better job there. So she went to a college close to home until her home moved away from her. While rare, it can happen. Even if you choose to attend a college close to home, you may not get home all that often because you are busy building a new life at school.
Eighty-six percent of freshman college students chose a school within miles of their home, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Over half of all college students attend a school within miles of home.
If you apply to schools far away, consider yourself adventurous. Living at home and commuting to school would save you even more, but most students heading off to college want to live at the college as well. Figuring out finances is a big part of going to college, and facing the reality of your own personal finances is one of those necessary steps in growing up and becoming independent.
Family and friends are close enough to lend support if necessary. This extra level of comfort could make the transition to college life easier for you. This of course, lead me question myself. What had I done?! I was fortunate enough that my parents were able to drop me off at college. I encourage you to take a look at our pre-orientation programs to see examples of some of the possibilities that await you right when you get to campus!
I immediately realized that staying busy was the key to an easier transition. Sure, I had moments where I felt a bit homesick, but the truth is, I did not feel alone.
Remember and trust that there are more international students around you more than you think! Those lessons kept me sane for the first weeks in college, but then events like Parents and Family Weekend happened. My family was never able to attend these weekends, so I had to find ways to still feel part of something. Around this time my first year, I learned another lesson: the power of a support system.
It was obvious that my usual support system was no longer physically there. So, like Tufts students, you turn to your community and see who is in it. Maybe in your case it will be the people who live in your dorm, the classmates you do research with, people that are part of the International Club I-Club or any other club you get to join. Finding your community will be critical to your time at Tufts. Many logistics will be simplified. In addition, going to college in close proximity to your parents often means access to other types of resources.
You may have the option of visiting anytime you need a break from campus. A home-cooked meal and a free laundry room are only a drive away. Your proximity will also ensure more continuity in your life. You might be able to keep your job from high school. You might have friends who are also staying local, meaning that your social circle can remain intact. You may even continue to participate in the same activities, like a club soccer team, church, or volunteer group.
Finally, going to school close to where you grew up often means that your parents and support network are almost immediately available to you should there be an emergency. At the same time, you would be able to make it home quickly if anyone there needed your immediate help.
Indeed, there are many benefits of going to college close to home. For one, living nearby means that your parents will be able to visit frequently and will likely expect you to do the same, which may potentially be a hindrance as you develop greater independence.
It may not be uncommon for you to run into acquaintances, family friends, high school teachers, or classmates. You may even end up spending most of your time with your family or high school friends. While this is comforting to some, to others it might seem a bit suffocating.
Think about how much of a fresh start you are after before choosing to attend college close to home. Finally, by staying close to home you sometimes sacrifice the opportunity to experience something different for four years. It may not seem like it now, but four years is ultimately not a huge time commitment in your life. The opportunity to experience a different setting or more diverse surroundings for a finite period of time does not surface often in life.
While there are certainly many benefits to attending a college close by, there are also some disadvantages. You should consider both sides before making a decision.
Going to college far away from your home is also an option that presents a number of unique benefits. For one, by going someplace new on your own, you will inevitably gain more independence.
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