Should I go to college in Seattle instead of my home in Massachusetts? for Questionland Seattle

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Should I go to college in Seattle instead of my home in Massachusetts?

Im 16, towards the end of my junior year, and deciding what colleges to apply to is already being pushed on me by my school. I live in a crappy city 2 hours away from Boston on a good traffic day. I have been reading Slog for years, and consequently have wanted to live in Seattle.

I want to go into writing, but I'm not sure if the colleges out there are as good as the ones that I might apply to here (Boston U, Boston College). I have a 3.0 GPA.

I hate my town and I want to get away and Seattle seems like the perfect place. I don't care about rain.

So, should I apply to a college out there? Where should I apply?

openended asked in Whatever over 2 years ago | Report

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Peter F

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I grew up in a small town in central Massachusetts and have lived in the Seattle area since 1991. Even though I abandoned my native state eventually, I'd advise you not to be too hasty to do the same for college.

I majored in illustration and creative writing at two MA colleges, one in Boston and one in Amherst. I loved my time in college and only ever left because I finally accumulated enough credits to graduate.

Massachusetts has many, many great colleges and universities, especially in Boston. Washington has a few great schools, but the problem is the "few" part. I think it's in your best interest to have more options.

That said, Seattle is great and has so much to offer, beyond being three thousand miles away from Massachusetts. The city is smaller than Boston, but people here are much more open minded and accepting than the people we grew up with. Seattle is at least as literate a city as Boston, and a good location for a writer to create in.

Reputation aside, the weather here honestly isn't much grayer and rainier than it is back there, and there's more variety of climate here anyway -- you can get to deserts, amazing mountains, oceanfront, even Canada in three hours or so.

You should come visit Seattle for as long as possible before making a commitment like that, because it would be much harder to switch out, if you decide you aren't happy at whichever school in the Seattle area, than it might be to find a school you like in the Boston or Western MA area.

Also, as crazy as it may sound to you at 16, don't underestimate how homesick you can get in your freshman year of college. It really helps to have some hometown friends and family to touch base with at that time, or at least it did for me.

Good luck -- I can't tell you what the best decision is for you, but I feel safe telling you based on your disposition and similarity of background that you are going to love college and you have a lot to look forward to.

Peter F answered in Whatever over 2 years ago | Report

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The University of Washington has a great English department and Creative Writing program. I am currently an English major there, and I am happy with the advisors, professors, and courses offered.

Emily Johnson answered in Whatever over 2 years ago | Report

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Cedarthvader

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I tend to think moving away from your home state is a great idea. You'll either fall in love with your new home, have a better idea of where you want to live based on your experience, or decide that you miss your home state and thus appreciate it more when you move back.

Should you come to Seattle specifically? Sure! It's a great city full of creative, interesting people. But you should look more closely at the schools here and see if their programs click with you. You could be in the most awesome city in the world, but if you don't like your school or program, it won't matter since it will be taking up most of your time and focus.

Why not look into the best writing programs in the country and consider those? Or, scrap studying writing and study everything else, so you'll have something to write about (I'm not entirely kidding here...this was the advice given to me when I was 17, and I'm glad I took it).

Keep soul searching, do more research, and keep an open mind to the adventure that is college. Good luck!

Cedarthvader answered in Whatever over 2 years ago | Report

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You don't need to decide now. You should investigate a few schools in Seattle and in Boston, and apply to a couple. The application fee is worth it. Get accepted at a few places first, and then decide where you're going.

Also, not to rain on your parade, but I doubt a 3.0 average will get you into Boston U, Boston College, or even U of Washington. You should speak with a counselor at your school to figure out which universities are a good match.

Mahtli69 answered in Whatever over 2 years ago | Report

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UW, Western Washington, Cornish College of the Arts. They are all good schools with good programs. Western isn't in Seattle - but Bellingham is close (1.5 hour drive or train) and is a cool town as well.

I think getting away from home and seeing more of the world is always a good idea.

Megan answered in Whatever over 2 years ago | Report

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