OPINIONS Opposing Viewpoints: In State vs. Out of State Colleges CALIFORNIA, HERE WE COME THERE’SA WORLD OUT THERE By Kyle Kubo state is basically a big bacon-shaped college By Sneha Singh University in Illinois which would reduce Staff Writer town: the weather is perpetually balmy, there Staff Writer the amount of time in school, as well as save is a substantial amount of terrain for skiing of money on tuition. For many a harried high school senior, and snowboarding, and in the areas sur- Most people choose to go to college Another plus to choosing a college the mere mention of college evokes an rounding the major colleges you can’t throw simply because a higher-education degree outside your home state would be the slight intoxicating wanderlust, an almost primal a rock without hitting three Taco Bells, two usually results in better job opportunities. leeway on SAT scores and cumulative urge to fl y from the nest, take to the skies, movie theaters, and a minor celebrity. The While some high school graduates choose GPA. Because all colleges want diverse and defecate on the parked cars of home- entire left side is a beach, for goodness’ sake! to stay in state for college due to the seem- representation, many schools would rather town familiarity and parental oppression. Students living in Solitude, Indiana and Or- ingly obvious closeness to home and the take someone from a different part of the College is perceived as a magical land dinary, Kentucky (yes, real places) can be savings on cost, choosing a college out of country as opposed to someone local with where siblings are disowned, cake can be excused if they feel the need to explore past state is far more benefi cial because students the exact same qualifi cations. Due to the eaten at three in the morning, and (most the horizon, but when people are vacationing can experience new environments as well increased number of students applying importantly) your parental figures are where you live you might want to reconsider as gain valuable independence. to the University of California and CSU veritable light-years away, much too far skipping town (or state). One of the main systems, applicants generally need much away to criticize your posture in public or Lastly there is the often under- reasons students higher qualifi cations to remain competitive tape over your scheduled TV recordings appreciated value of proxim- choose a college and set themselves apart from others in such with Desperate Housewives reruns. The ity to home. Although very out of their a large population. Essentially, this means lure of an exciting new setting is not to be few people wish for their home state that even with a slightly lower SAT score or underestimated, but the four year long-haul college experience to be is the desire GPA, it is still possible, and perhaps even that most all Mitty students will undertake marked by a parent peer- to move easier, to receive acceptance at a prestigious is much better spent in-state. ing over their shoulder, away from out-of-state college. First and foremost is the matter of being within driving dis- home and At the same time, most high school in-state versus out-of-state tuition, hardly tance can offer up a bevy live inde- students choose to stay in state for college to be taken lightly given the economic of advantages. Besides pendently. because of the high costs of tuition. Because downturn. Although colleges are starting increasing one’s presence This offers of this, many states across the country have to narrow the cost gap to woo eager young at family functions and signifi cant signifi cantly lowered their out-of-state tu- minds from nearby states, the difference resultantly decreasing guilt advantages ition costs, in hopes that it will attract a more today is generally well into the thousands trips and tearful goodbyes, be- because the stu- diverse population and eventually result in of dollars if you choose a public school. ing relatively nearby provides an dent is then better establishing that college’s credibility as a Any parent who is footing the bill will tell answer to that age-old question: Who suited to live in the real, widely attended school. In addition to slash- you that this is no small matter, and who ya gonna call? working world upon gradua- ing out-of-state tuition, numerous scholar- knows, maybe they could be convinced to The Ghostbusters are more often than tion. Many parents have stated that seeing ships and grants are available for students pass part of the savings on to their soon-to- not unavailable to help move your futon or their children go to college farther away who decide they want to leave their home be-broke offspring —which could mean the get your arm unstuck from inside a vending from home has helped that child grow up state for college. difference between 1) living comfortably machine, whereas your family is obligated to faster and therefore become more accus- Lastly, an out-of-state college is more and 2) living comfortably but also selling help out. Even after all of your relatives have tomed to change and different environments. advantageous in the long run because there bodily fl uids to science. perfected their excuses, another advantage to Because parents generally support are far more job options available. As a The desire to fl ee the state could be the in-state education is the high likelihood their children through college, going out result of the experience gained in a new justifi ed if California was the awkward that you are attending school with a few old of state is a relatively safe way to explore state, a college graduate will already be turtle of college environments, but it is in friends who will go to great lengths to as- new areas, all while having a safety net somewhat settled and established in the fact just the opposite, offering both one of sist you in exchange for pizza. Speaking of back at home. area. Because of this, he or she will have the nation’s most highly regarded public which, if you are really close to home you In addition to newer surroundings, out an easier time job searching in the college university systems (UC) and the largest may have the occasional option of stopping of state colleges usually offer specialized town while maintaining the option of re- such system in the country (CSU), to say by for a home-cooked meal, an incalculable programs as well as a greater variety of turning home and fi nding jobs here if that nothing of such prestigious private institu- blessing when your food options often majors. For example, a high school graduate doesn’t work out. In essence, as a graduate tions as Stanford, USC, and Caltech. consist of Easy Mac, Top Ramen, and your who wants to one day become a doctor could of an out-of-state college, you will have The reduced tuition and bountiful roommate’s questionable brownies. possibly consider UCLA or UC Davis for double the network as well as connections harvest of fi rst-class schools found locally Bottom line: The only people who undergraduate school if he or she wanted to than those of someone who opted for a couple perfectly with our desire for a pleas- should be leaving the state for college are stay in California. local college. ant environment. You could offer up a full- those who have found a peerless, top-ranked After undergraduate school, they would For all of these reasons and more, out- ride scholarship to Hogwarts; many Mitty college set in a mythological paradise that have to look into a medical school. How- of-state colleges are a better choice for an students still will not attend a school if it they can afford to live in, and who have ever, a viable alternative to staying in Cali- individual because of the new environment, means contending with locust swarms, ozone also proven themselves to be entirely self- fornia for eight or more years would be to greater independence, and a wider range of holes, or a legitimate winter. How fortuitous suffi cient on more than one occasion. fi nd an accelerated medical program out of connections for future employment they then, for us indecisive applicants, that our I honestly doubt that you are that cool. state, such as to one found at Northwestern offer. TOP FIVE: CONTROVERSIAL MITTY RULES By Neal Deot and Phillip Talieh 3) No delivering PE clothes/Lunches/ to stu- Why it exists: Facial hair is cited as unprofessional Staff Writers and falls under the same category as white tees and dents during school plastic sandals. Different interpretations of allowing 1) Students must stay on campus until 2 p.m. Why we may not like it: Not being able to have facial hair could lead to issues of presentability in our Why we may not like it: Students can choose to people bring you these can create a big issue, especially Mitty environment. stay and can be responsible and independent. The entire if homework is left at home, which can jeopardize grades. student body shouldn’t be forced to stay on campus. Why it exists: Deliveries have caused major buildups Why it exists: Staying until 2 p.m. encourages in the attendance offi ce and unnecessary burdens which 5) No Yoga Pants students to seek teachers and school resources for help, should be taken care of by the students before school.