I Want to Go Off to College

Just as much as college is about academics and earning a degree, it is about branching out, exploring your horizons, and learning how to take care of yourself as an adult. Selecting the perfect school is a complex decision—so much so that there are entire books written on the subject. I can’t tell you whether an in-state or out-of-state school is going to be a better fit for you, but I can tell you how to go about figuring it out for yourself.

Your parents and your friend are most likely to support your decision if they can tell it’s one that has been well-researched. Look at schools both in state and out of state, examining them for factors such as the following:

Academics

Are you looking to go to a school with a rigorous academic program? Does the school offer majors you may be interested in?

Size

Do you want to go where everybody knows your name? Or do you prefer to get lost in a crowd?

Campus culture

How friendly is the student body in general? Does the school offer clubs or extracurricular activities in line with your interests? For example, if you’re a champion rower, you may want to choose a school that has a crew team.

Student life

Is the school known for social activities? Are all the students die-hard fans of a particular sports team? Is Greek life a big factor on campus?

Type of campus

Urban or rural? Do students stay on campus on the weekends or do they all leave?

Health facilities

Is there an easily accessible health center on campus, a hospital nearby, and a good allergist in the area?

Once you compile a list of a few schools, you’ll want to go visit them — you’ll learn tons more by actually walking around campus than you ever could by reading a guidebook. When planning for your visit, check out FAAN’s A College Guide for the Student with Food Allergies: It’s Not All Pizza and Ice Cream for ideas.

Finally, keep your eyes open. When I started looking at colleges, I was convinced I wanted to go across the country and branch out to something completely new and different than any experience I’d ever had before. In the end, I wound up at an in-state school and only two-and-a-half hours from home. I had the time of my life and was able to go home whenever I needed a home-cooked meal.

I have a feeling you’ll be happy wherever you go. It’s just a matter of carefully and responsibly choosing that school and talking to your parents about what you’re looking for in a college.

Good luck!