ARE MORE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES CHOOSING A COLLEGE CLOSER TO HOME?

By Jack Etzel

In an entirely unscientific observation, we could likely agree that there are two different types of graduating high school students when it comes to choosing a college. One group looks at the prospect of getting away (or at least not minding it) while the other would prefer to stay close and not entirely ‘cut the cord.’ It is not, however, that simple.

North Hills Monthly magazine recently spoke to Mindy Floro, the department chairperson for the Guidance Counseling Department at North Allegheny Senior High School. Floro holds a master’s degree in counseling from Duquesne University and has worked in that capacity at N.A.S.H. for 25 years. She works with students and parents on college issues and many other student-related subjects.

North Hills Monthly: What portion of North Allegheny graduates go on to college?

Mindy Floro: Ninety percent. That breaks down to about 82 percent for a four-year college, and about eight percent going to a two-year college. The other 10 percent go into the military, work full-time or choose a technical or a business-related school. The remaining few are undecided.

NHMM: When choosing a college, how much weight does the location or distance from home really carry?

Floro: It carries quite a bit. When students are investigating potential colleges, they look at academic programs, costs and what personal interests or activities are available at the school. In addition, location is always a very important part. Students initially may look at the location of a school as a smorgasbord of choices.

NHMM: How’s that?

Floro: They think, “Oh, I can go to California or Florida; I can go to Maine.” But what we have found and what our research has told us is that most students stay within 150 miles of home. Some may go to a college on the West Coast while others choose the University of Pittsburgh, but the average mileage is about 150 miles from home. As counselors, we’ve found that one of the factors that goes into this choice are in-state tuition rates, which are usually more reasonably priced than out-of-state rates. Many students simply want to get home on the weekends so that they can stay in touch with family and friends. At the same time, parents want to be able to get to their sons or daughters. If a student is ill or injured, parents want to be able to get there.

NHMM: I’m going to guess that students sometimes change their minds about their choices?

Floro: Definitely. Most of us in the Guidance Counseling Department have found that when this process takes place, the student who might have said, “I can go anywhere,” very often makes a 180-degree turn and decides on a more reasonable distance.

NHMM: In contrast to many less populated states, this part of the country is packed with choices for higher education. Can you cite a percentage, or put a figure on the North Allegheny college-bound students who end up staying within that 150-mile radius?

Floro: I can tell you that of last year’s class of 670 students, there were 83 who went to the University of Pittsburgh. The next figure isn’t exact, but I recall that there were approximately another 175 who stayed in the Pittsburgh area, many going to Duquesne and Robert Morris, and another 30-some who chose Community College of Allegheny County. You are right about us having such a high number and wide range of universities, including the state system as well as private schools. If you want a larger school we have Pitt, Temple and Penn State. We really run the gamut of whatever a student might need or want right in the state of Pennsylvania.

NHMM: How much do ever-rising tuition costs have to do with staying closer to home?

Floro: Very, very much. And now you have to add to the cost of tuition, books and housing the rising costs of transportation, meaning airfare or gasoline prices. Can you get from Stanford to Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving? Family values play a part in this. At a time when tuition alone can cost $40,000 or more per year, and the parents have another child or children coming along, it adds up to so much money that it often becomes a deciding factor. Big and important decisions have to be made, and we try to sort all of that out.

NHMM: Having said all of this, I’m assuming there are students who want to make a break and not be so tied to family, but instead want to get out and see the world, so to speak.

Floro: Of course. Our goal is not only to prepare students academically, but also to prepare them for life. Many of them do want different experiences and a different environment. Maybe it’s just that they don’t like the cold and prefer a warmer climate while others enjoy winter sports.

NHMM: Most of us don’t end up doing what we planned to do at that age.

Floro: You’re right. Approximately 70 percent of all college freshmen end up changing their majors, but in the end, most find their way into a career path.