<p>The overwhelming majority of college students go part time and work as well and are in their mid to late 20s. They get their degree bit by bit, paying as they can, borrowing and most of them still live with parents. The whole sleep away college thing is truly that of privilege and luxury. Those few students who have a lot of need and who are accepted at full need met school, or who get big ,erit awards are rare. You see more of them on these boards, because these are the schools that attract a lot of attention since the process is so selective.</p>
<p>My son applied to a local catholic school and was amazed with his modest profile to get a full tuition scholarship there Had he stayed home, he could have commuted there, kept his car, had extra money, and as it turns out be in good company with a heck of a lot of his friends and acquaintances. When the dust has cleared and you start looking at the forest rather than select trees, you realize that more people than you would think are commuting and staying local. Even going away to a state U is a big expense that has to be paid. It’s difficult keeping perspective when you are looking at specialty boards like this one and/or are with a crowd of kids looking at going away to college.</p>