Going Away To College

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“A college degree is the key to realizing the American dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity. But the cost of going to college has never been so high, and the value of having that diploma has never been more in doubt,” Dan Rather wrote in a blog for the Huffington Post. This statement greatly resonates to the overwhelmed community of young people on their way to college. “Should you stay home or go away to college?” by Jon Fortenbury of USA Today and “Going to College: Close to Home Vs. Leaving the Nest,” by Emily Driscoll of Fox Business compare and contrast how young people go about attaining this opportunity that Dan Rather spoke of by sizing up going away to college and …show more content…

Driscoll is a clear proponent of this thought. She makes a valid point in mentioning that, “[f]amilies should also keep in mind that the closest school may not be the best choice for their student’s learning style.” She is emphasizing the point that geographic location aside, students should be looking for a college that will facilitate the best education for themselves. That school could be anywhere on Planet Earth. Fortenbury has a completely different outlook on the matter. He chose to emphasize that when push comes to shove, staying home for college can benefit students just as much as going away to college can. The benefits of going away to college can be facilitated, in part, at home. “I learned it just through having different jobs in different environments...we had a lot of different internships and clinical experiences...adapting to those was a challenge...if you go away, you’re forced to adapt a little quicker than if you live at home.” There is no dispute that both options open doors for students and provide quality educations. However, Driscoll believes that staying home can limit that opportunity while Fortenbury believes that you can make up lost ground at

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