College Bound

It has come to my attention that during the summer between one's senior year of high school and first year of college, very thick, bold, "do not cross" lines are drawn between those staying in state and those going out of state.

I'm not exactly sure of the cause for this division, nor do I particularly enjoy it. It is just a fact I would like take some time and point out.

Maybe I dislike this juvenile behavior simply because I am in the minority of my close friends, being someone who is going out of state. Maybe it's just my friends being, well, stupid. Maybe it's something I'm doing subconsciously to act superior and thus, driving them away. Whatever's going on, it sucks.

I believe this conundrum extends beyond merely dividing the groups. For when an attempt to unite the two parties and attend some sort of event is made, the "In State" party wishes to stay close to home. The "Out of State" party wishes to travel. Neither party is wrong per say, it's just amusing.

As a member of the "Out of State" party seeking something similar to unity between the groups, I have often tried to find common ground with the "In State" party. From conversing over fears, such as roommates and heavy partying, to the simpler things in life, such as what to bring to the dorms, I have found that discussion is strained at best. I get the impression that the "In State" party members feel that simply because I am not attending a college a two hour radius - assuming one is traveling by car - from my current address, I must not or can not relate to their future college experience.

While attending summer orientation at the college of my choice - a prominent school for my major of choice located in the Midwest or South, depending on your map - I experienced this as well. The "In State" members stuck with other "In State" members, while the few "Out of State" members foundered, looking for another fish out of water to converse with. The lines were as clearly drawn as they had been in my home state.

I have spoken with students of a larger and more heavily populated state to see if they experienced a similar situation. I spoke to mainly "In State" members, a few "Out of State" members and even an "Out of Country" member. They did not experience what I can only refer to as "In State Elitism." The "In State" members has a wider range of "distances from current address" as these numbers ranged from one and a half hours to more than seven. "Out of State" members found themselves across the country, and the "Out of Country" member will be halfway around the world. Yet, all of these parties were able to come together near the end of their summer to attend an event more than two hours away. Some even got together for a second event a slight bit closer to home. As I observed them converse about college, there were no visible signs of stress or strain and not a single awkward pause.

So why is this elitism local to the Midwest?

My conclusion is that since a large group of the "In State" party will be attending the same college, or will be in a reasonable driving distance to meet up for a Saturday night party, they are eliminating those they will only see on breaks because the friendship would require too much work to keep up.



Get real people. I've kept in contact with friends across the country for two years. But this? This is beyond just me now. Can't you put some effort into keeping the friends you've had all your life?