“Substantially closer” to in-state is not the same as in-state tuition. I’m suspecting cost is the real issue, since several applications went out to in-state schools, that you don’t seem interested in at all. Cost is ALWAYS what it boils down to, because that’s the only true fact you can rely on. Everything else is just subjective opinion vs subjective opinion, which is always a losing battle for a teenager. Mom and dad have the money. Unless you have a full-ride scholarship, they will always have the veto power. Auburn is only one school. You have a ton of great options. If you’re interested in engineering, NCSU is arguably the best engineering school in the state.