Choosing a college is a difficult decision, bottom line. But when you choose to take a different route and pick a school that isn't in your state, you are making one of the best decisions of your life.
1. You get a fresh start.
Maybe high school wasn't so great for you. Maybe you hate your "high school" self and the reputation that follows. The beauty of leaving your state is that you get a clean slate no one cares about who you were in the past. Sure, you meet an occasional state champion or a mathlete that tells you about their accomplishments, but the great thing is you only have to share what you want to. Being out of state usually means you know a handful of people from your hometown, so it's almost as if you are forced to branch out. You'll find people that want to get to know who you really are based on the person you are now.
2. It's cheaper than the schools in your state
I don't know about you, but the GEM scholarship offered here at Boise State saved my life. Many Californians chose to travel to Idaho to save themselves from double the amount of student debt. BSU is also cheaper than both WSU and UW for Washingtonians if you are eligible for the GEM scholarship.
3. You don't have to compare your experiences with everyone else's
Since you don't have half of your graduating class at the same University, there's no need to "prove" who's having a better time at college. You don't have to check Mary's Snapchat see what group she's hanging out with and feel maybe a little jealous.
4. Your school is DIFFERENT
When everyone goes back home and sports their school colors on a daily basis, you are able to wear yours loud and proud, knowing you are one of the few representing the school you love so much. You get to brag about how cool your football stadium is and how good your school is at sports because well, who's going to argue?
5. You go home less
Now this is sort of a pro and a con. On one hand, yes, you do get a little homesick from time to time. On the other, the less you go home, the more your campus starts to feel like home. It's nice to have to tough some things out yourself instead of taking an hour drive to go back home and vent to mom and dad. If you get bored, you don't think about going home, you decide to go explore the city that surrounds you and fall in love with you school that much more. Gaining full independence before you jump into full "Adult mode" is quite exhilarating.
6. You get to show off your hometown pride!
The awesome thing about college is you are not the only one away from home! Everyone comes from different parts of the U.S. and some even come from other parts of the world. Your hometown is one of the many unique things about you on campus. It's not only a conversation starter, but you would be surprised to meet others that lived in neighboring towns your whole life. It just really makes you step back and realize that the world isn't so big.
Going to college in your home state isn't a bad thing, but attending college out of state is one of the best paths I've taken in my life. I've gained so much confidence knowing that I am in charge of building my own new reputation and the relationships I build solely depend on the choices I make. If you have the option, I would highly recommend pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and taking that leap of faith.
