So I’m graduating on June 8, 2016 and have to decide where I want to go to college. I want to go to a community then transfer to a 4year. I’ve been looking into Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. I would like to transfer to the University of Oregon. I’m not sure if I should stay here and go to the community in my home town or move away. I live in California and the drive would be about 10 hours when I want to come back home and visit if I went to Lane. There aren’t dorms at Lane CC but they do have a “Titan court” which are basically apartments for the student of Lane CC, Northwestern Christian university, and the University of Oregon. California and two other states are on the the list of being able to pay “in state tuition” which I think is very great. I really want to leave but I’m scared I won’t be able to do it. My sister says I’m naive and don’t really know anything about being on my own. I feel if I moved away I could learn how to be an adult and grow up. I wouldn’t mind staying home either the only reason I would, would be because my family. I’ve never been away from home so that would be difficult.
I’m leaning towards moving away but maybe help from a different perspective could be a better choice?
Any advice on what would be good? Is it worth it to move away?
It kind of comes down to what you want out of college.
If you would be happier and feel that you would do better at a college in Oregon as opposed to California, even if it is farther away than you’d like, go to Oregon. If the experience would be no better than what you get in California, stay at home.
As for your family, this is something that I have struggled with as well. My parents have spent quite a lot of energy trying to dissuade me from all of the colleges that I have been interested in/have applied to so far solely because they don’t like the location/they’re “too far away.” I look at it like this : the bottom line is that you need to be content in your decision even if it is a long drive home because you’re the one who will have to go to classes and do the things that are required of you, not them. You should make the decision on your own based on what you feel is the best choice for you.
Yes, CJMac02 that is a very good point I’m the one who will be there so it does come down to what I want. My parents want me to move away because they feel if I go to school here I’ll be “stuck here”. It’s just really hard to think about being in another state not being able to drive 10-20 minutes away to visit family you know?
Is it that your high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores are so low why you cannot attend the University of Oregon in fall 2016? The cost of Community College in Tuition in California is $46/credit and instate tuition at Oregon CC is $99.50/credit. The COA at Lane would be $16K for three quarters (R&B included), while living at home commuting to a at a California CC will probably cost you $1,400 in tuition only. If you are low income, I think you can get free tuition and possibly free bus pass.
IMHO, going to a CC in Oregon makes no sense for a student looking at financial aid. The few kids I know who have gone to a CC (instate) where they have to pay R&B end up back at the local CC.
You could still go to CC in California and transfer to Oregon (which would be a way cheaper route to take), but if there’s a significant advantage of attending Lane, go for it. Just remember that community colleges tend to lack in the social department, so moving 10 hours away from your friends and family might make you feel a bit lonely.
I teach at a highly ranked CC that draws most of its students from out of the area. We have some dorms, but most students live in off- campus apartments that operate like dorms. They love it. They’re all in it together, so they learn how to shop and cook on a budget and share rides and all that. It’s a great way to learn how to be on your own. If your Titan Court is like that, you should do fine