As many FHS seniors wrap up the college admissions process and prepare to graduate, they face the big question: where to go to college. Whether staying in-state, venturing out-of-state or even going overseas, each option offers unique benefits and drawbacks. The choice ultimately comes down to priorities like cost, comfort, independence and opportunity.
Attending an in-state college is often the most affordable option. Lower tuition, access to state scholarships and proximity to home make it a logical choice for those looking to ease into college life. For these reasons, FHS senior Paris Hyunh is looking into attending SJSU for nursing.
“SJSU has a wonderful nursing program, and being local means being most familiar with my environment and seeing a few familiar faces,” Hyunh said.
Going out-of-state appeals to students seeking independence and a fresh start, despite the higher cost. FHS senior Cavel Nelson applied to a mix of in-state and out-of-state schools, with the intention of living on her own.
“I’m looking to explore a new area,” Nelson said. “I definitely want to travel as I get older, so I feel like [college] is kind of my first shot [at] seeing, ‘Hey, is this something I can handle?’”
Similarly, attending college overseas also offers new experiences and the additional benefit of cultural immersion. FHS senior Caroline Strigl decided to attend college overseas in Vienna and explained that her choice made for a less stressful college application process.
“The application process [in the US] is definitely [different than in Austria],” Strigl said. “It’s a lot harder [in the U.S.] and you need a lot more recommendations. Here, people think about college years in advance, but [in Austria], it’s one test, and afterwards you can decide [where] you apply.”
That being said, studying internationally comes with the same set of obstacles as out-of-state schools, exacerbated by distance and possibly language barrier. Strigl reflected that while living on her own might be challenging, she is looking forward to the experience.
“The most difficult part [of attending college abroad, for me,] is definitely [learning] German,” Strigl said. “But I’m probably gonna take a gap year and just travel, work […] I really want to settle down in a different country for a while, see what it’s like.”
Ultimately, choosing where to go for college is a deeply personal decision. Whether driven by the comfort of staying close to home or a desire to get out of the comfort zone and explore, FHS seniors have a range of factors to consider as they map out the next chapter of their lives.
“I think the biggest challenge for me is adjusting to being on my own,” Nelson said. “But I like to put myself in new environments, so the challenging parts are also pretty exciting.”
