The 2023-2024 school year has begun and there is a new batch of seniors that are applying to colleges that they wish to continue their further education. As seniors apply, they either fall into two categories, applying for in-state colleges or applying to out of state colleges. While many want to go out of state to start a new chapter in their lives away from home, why do students want to stay in their home state?
The reasons vary as to why students want to stay in the state, one of those reasons would be very simple, they just fell in love with the campus. Senior at Battlefield High School, Avery Huffman, is planning to apply to Virginia Tech, “I want to go to Virginia Tech because not only have I gotten to know the campus through my siblings attending, but I am also interested in the programs they have, and in-state tuition is important” Huffman says. In-state tuition is much cheaper than out of state, becoming a main reason for students deciding to continue their education in their home state.
Other students don’t mind being far away from home but luckily, Virginia does have great schools. Battlefield senior, Michael Jones, is planning on applying to the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, two of Virginia’s best schools. Jones states, “I considered some schools that were out of state, but I decided to try to stay since there were so many great schools around me that I knew”. Virginia has schools that people from out of state come in for, such as UVA and VMI, leading to Virginia students wanting to stay.
Some applicants decide they want to stay in-state because this is all they’ve known. Kylie Podratsky, a graduate from Battlefield’s class of 2023, now attends James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia states her reasoning on staying in-state, “I wanted to stay close to my family, that was very important to me.” says Podratsky. Many students don’t plan to leave everything behind just yet and this is just how they want to start the next chapter in their life. Leaving behind friends and family is a huge step that most 17- and 18-year-olds are not ready for.
Choosing a college is very difficult for everyone, even the ones who know if they want to stay in-state or go out of state. This choice will determine an individual’s future which causes a lot of stress for applicants. This choice will have an impact on students’ futures, but if all factors are considered, the right choice will be made.
