Cast A Wide Net

Geographic diversity and college admissions.

- Dave Bergman, Ed.D

We think of matriculation into college as a time of great separation — the moment where the young leave the nest, spread their wings and fly into the great beyond to meet their futures. It turns out, however, that most little birdies don’t fly too far.

How far from home do most students go for college?

Fall 2010 data from the National Center for Education Statistics reveals that 72 percent of college-bound students attend school in-state, while 58 percent choose schools within a 100-mile radius of their home. Only 11 percent of students opt for an institution more than 500 miles away and a mere 2 percent of teens are adventurous enough to enroll in institutions more than 2,000 miles from their parent’s abode.

Although remaining close to home for college can seem like a more comfortable and convenient option, there are significant benefits associated with casting a wider net. Most notably, a willingness to travel can lead to improved admissions prospects and better financial aid offers. Why? Because colleges crave something called “geographic diversity” — that is, a student body comprised of young people from all around the country, and even the globe.