5 Tips for Applying to College Out of State

Every year, millions of high school seniors dream about leaving home and attending a college that is often far from home. But choosing an out of state college presents a variety of challenges for parents and kids alike that range from the financial to the emotional. Leaving home is a major step in a person’s life and most students who are facing a decision on where to attend their next four years of university often opt for a school out of state because it offers them a much different experience than that which they had in high school. Many of them seek new and exciting adventures in cities and sometimes even countries that they have never visited before. Going to college in the state can usually feel like an extension of high school and that won’t do. For those who are considering a college out of state here are some tips to consider when before you start sending out applications.

1. Seek Out Incentives

A number of colleges and universities offer financial incentives to students who wish to attend classes from out of state. There are institutions that extend out of state scholarships for qualifying students and certain schools in states like New York, Minnesota, and South Dakota that charge out of state students less in tuition costs. Do some research into the schools that have monetary incentives in the form of financial aid or lower costs when exploring the schools to which you plan on submitting an application.

2. Moving Costs

If you think tuition is expensive, wait until you see how much it’s going to cost to relocate to UC Berkeley from Massachusetts. Moving expenses can really add up when you consider what you need to take with you and how you’re going to get it there. Of course, the further away you’re moving the more expensive it can get too. Think about this very necessary component of going to school out of state and see if there are ways to defray some of these expenditures.

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3. Familiarize Yourself with All Options

Mention certain schools and most people will recognize the name. There are plenty of universities out there who’s name is their brand. But you wouldn’t believe how many other great institutions exist that aren’t household names yet still offer a solid education. Attending some college fairs at your high school or around your community can open your eyes to those university programs that may be flying under the radar. This way you can find a good affordable school that is located out of state but not at the other end of the country.

4. The Emotional Toll

There are some kids who choose an out of state college who can’t wait to leave home and set out into the wide, wide world to find themselves. But for many other seniors, they aren’t as fully prepared to be on their own and leave behind everything they’ve known and loved since grade school. Friendships can be tough to maintain over great distances and separating from family and loved ones can take a strong emotional toll on even the most mature individual. Be sure you’re ready for this next step and know that it is a crucial part of your growth. But if you’d prefer to wait, try taking online courses at ACU Online or some other online classes until you feel you’re ready to move on.

5. Always Visit Before You Go

This almost doesn’t need to be said, but there are many students who don’t visit the school they plan to attend ahead of time. They sometimes opt to check it out online instead and while traveling to a prospective college may b cost-prohibitive for some, you really do want to get a first-hand look at the place where you plan on spending the next four years of your life.