University of Missouri (Mizzou) vs Northern Illinois University

College Search & Lists
1

I’m having a tough time deciding between these two schools! I like both schools for different reasons!
Mizzou pros- SEC football games, New area to live in, big school, NROTC, and just because
It would be nice to have something different
Cons- 6 hours away from home
NIU Pros-
30 minutes away from home, decent athletics, could stay close to family and girlfriend, I really enjoyed the ROTC unit there they made me feel at home!
Cons- ROTC not NROTC, Campus quality, local area is rather boring, same old Illinois. Don’t get me wrong i love Illinois and my hometown but something new would be nice…

I try telling myself that my current girlfriend is not a factor in my decision. However, she’s my first girlfriend ever and I love her more than I ever thought possible. Im sure this is simply because she
Is my first love but she really is amazing. Our relationship in the past has been a bit rocky but we have good
Communication and we always try and fix things. She has told me in the past that she doesn’t want me to base my decision off her but a week later she said she didn’t know if she could handle me being that far away… I know I shouldn’t base my college decision off her but as hard as I try it still is a factor in my decision. My mom is pushing for NIU just because she doesn’t trust me to be mature enough to go to class and get everything handled that I need to. She would never tell me I couldn’t go somewhere but she only likes the thought of mizzou because in NROTC there is a required 10 hours of studying for class a week. She is really pushing NIU and told me that if I don’t like
It I can always transfer. However, this is where it gets tricky again… Basically the NROTC instructor told
Me if I didn’t come to mizzou right away my chances of getting a Marine Scholarship are little
To none… So basically my questions are -

  1. Any reasons why I should pick NIU Over Mizzou or vice versa?
  2. Would going to NIU and transferring to Mizzou be hard if I decided I didn’t like NIU?
  3. Has anyone else tried deciding between these schools and have any advice?
  4. Any Advice on how I can try and make my girlfriend not be a factor or just any advice at all about leaving behind a girlfriend.
  5. I’ve always had a ton of friends and been a party goer but I like staying at home. Not as much anymore but I usually have friends stay the night at my house simply because I don’t like being away from home… My family is super close! How hard is it being away from family especially if you get home sick easily?
  6. Im very scared of losing this girls because she literally is the girl of my dreams… Everything I’ve ever wanted in a female she represents whether it be physical features or her personality and what not. Everyone says it’ll be nearly impossible to make this last and that scares me just because I could truly see us becoming high school sweethearts. We are so close I saved her from her depression and self harm and she has almost recovered completely and is a whole new person… And I feel like guiding her through all of that has brought us closer than the average high school relationship… Any Advice for long term relationships? Am I dumb for even thinking she will be my forever?

Thanks all for the help!

2

Statistically in a year you will no longer be with your girlfriend. How will you like NIU if your girlfriend is no longer a reason for you to like niu ? How will you like having her around dating other guys ?
Serious relationships can withstand distance. In that trial they develop and mature. If you’re sure she’s the one, and if she’s sure too, you’ll develop a system of communication. You will think about the It’ll force you to be more mature and serious than most kidsbyour age. You’ll be so excited about things that happen to you that you’ll constantly have things to share, you’ll exchange pictures to compare your classrooms and campus, text, etc. Only a weak relationship will wither because you’re a few hours away. There’s also Skype, facetime, and visits.

If you attend college at niu or anywhere you become a transfer and lose all scholarships since those are only given to freshmen. And nrotc scholarships have become rare and very hard to get - you bet they won’t give it to you another year if you don’t take it, they’ll give it to a cadet who actually appreciates what an incredible honor this is.
Mizzou also is a better school - the state’s flagship. Your peers will be more motivated and you bet you’ll need to study more tahn ten hours a week to succeed (plan on two hours of hw for each class period. You’ll have two or three periods each day, so count how many hours each day will be dedicated to academics. Keep parties to Friday’s and Saturdays only, ask for the nrotc/rotc dorm or at least the quiet dorm, etc <- this will also go a long way in assuaging your mop’s fears. )
At worst, you can always transfer back to niu because it’s your state school, so instate tuition is guaranteed no matter what.
If you attend niu for a year, you lose your scholarship to mizzou which means you’re stuck - no more mizzou, no more nrotc.

The choice should be clear.