When most teenagers picture their ideal college experience, escaping from home is high on the priority list. Yet the adolescent yearning for independence is often eclipsed by more practical concerns.
Parental input plays a major role in limiting that circle.
Sometimes the concern is safety, especially when students consider schools in high-crime urban settings. Pressure to stay near the nest does not come exclusively from parents. As seniors begin to contemplate leaving home, many get anxious about heading far away. Leaving behind the familiar bonds of high school can be painful, even for adventurous souls. Worries about money can also keep students close to home, especially those from middle-income families.