Hi!! I’ve recently been working on choosing what school I’m going to be attending next year, and am having a really really hard time coming to terms with the fact that I can’t attend any of my top three schools. (this is mostly for financial reasons - the program I’m looking at isn’t offered very many places, and it wouldn’t be practical to go into a lot of debt to go to a school I love). I’ve found things I love about all of my top three schools, and I could see myself attending any one of them. However none of them are going to be as affordable as the last school on my list. When I visited this school, I didn’t love the campus, it’s a big commuter school and I’d be coming from out of state, and it’s a huge school in a suburb (whereas I prefer small schools in cities). They do have a great program for what I want to do, and with the aid I’ve received from there it is without a doubt the most affordable school on my list. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips to get more excited about going here, and what I can do to make it seem more appealing!
You put this place on your list because of the strength of your particular program of studies. Focus on that. It is likely that other students will have chosen it for the same reason, and chances are plenty of them will also be from out of state. This will mean that when the commuters head home at the end of the day, the people most like you will still be there. It shouldn’t be hard at all to find your people!
What is transportation like from that suburb into the city? It might not be particularly difficult to get into the city to do what you want to do there. Also, if you make friends with some of the commuters, you may be able to pop home with them from time to time and get away from campus when you need or want to.
@happymomof1 There’s not a lot in terms of transportation, but it’s affordable enough that I could have a car which is a huge plus, and it wouldn’t matter much that there isn’t a lot of public transport! Thanks so much for your reply, you’ve given me a lot to think about 
Well, the school wants you! That should make you feel good. With a car, you’ll be able to do all sorts of things. Don’t know if you’re considering grad or professional school down the line, but maybe that will be your chance for the smaller, urban campus of your dreams.
What’s the program ?
Which colleges? Good prospects for jobs or grad school when you finish?
@MYOS1634 @rkelly5182 Middle Tennessee State! I’m looking at their audio production program - and I’ve heard from lots of professionals that it’s one of the best in the country. Great connections to Nashville, great faculty, fairly small class sizes (in the program), and I’m hoping lots of other kids from out of state/farther away.
I originally wanted to attend Belmont, in Nashville, but it’s just not going to work out financially. My main fears aren’t about the program though. When I went on my tour, I was talking to a girl in the program and she said that I should consider living off campus my freshman year because everyone in the dorms leaves to go home on the weekends. However, I really really want the dorm experience (crazy I know!! I’m sure I’ll be regretting it a month in when there’s no AC and it’s a billion degrees out :)) ) so I think I’m gonna try to get into the honors dorms or the living/learning community for recording industry and hope for the best.
Trying for an honors dorm or a LLC sounds like a very good plan. And keep in mind that you will be attending a 4 year college to study in an area of your choice. While your situations may not be 100% perfect, any many people would love to be in your shoes.
Absolutely for honors program (priority registration is really useful) and honors dorm. 
The audio production program at MTSU is considered very strong, with tons of opportunities, internships etc. I think you’ll have a great time at the school - congratulations!
Congratulations. Best wishes and go Blue Raiders!
You are making the best decision possible . . . one of the hardest things in that business is to have lots of debt hanging over your head when you graduate. Debt limits your options when it comes to production work. You’ve found a great program for what you want to do, that is reasonably affordable. Your common sense will serve your creative side very well!
Wishing you the best of luck!