Is it worth going to college on the opposite coast?!?!?!?!?!?

Question

I want to become a pharmacist. In CA, where I live it is really competitive to get into pharm school and now I am considering a 0-6 school where you get in straight from high school. However, I am in an area that I love (San Diego) and with my family. Should I leave the place I've loved for so long for pharmacy school and to pursue my dream. If I stay here nothing is guaranteed and I feel it would be a risk and it would take 8 years if I do make it. The school far from here would be 6 years and given that I will keep a certain GPA, I will graduate will my degree. What would YOU do? I will probably be going to NY or Boston. My mom has a psychological disorder, but I love my granny and my dad and watching football every Sunday with my dad. If I leave I will miss all this, but my dream is important to me too. What would YOU do knowing that pharmacy is very competitive in CA and would require extra work on my end?

Answer 1

I think it would depend on what is more important to you. If you move to NY you will spend 6 years working towards a distant goal, while missing your family and the life you left behind. Is it worth it to spend 6 years not enjoying the company of your family only to pursure a goal in the distant future? At the same time, though, you might find that you enjoy it a lot more than staying at home. Moving interstate will make you much more independent and you will meet a lot of great and interesting people who will affect your life. And you can always see your family when you go back in the holidays to visit. At some point in everyone's life you have you pursue your own dreams and leave your family behind for a little while, but they will always be there and you are helping all of them when you do make it as a pharmacist.

In another point of view, though, if you stay in CA you'll be really happy with your family, be able to see them everyday and still go to pharm school. It's a risk but you still have a chance, and if you want it enough you'll work hard for it, and have your family around you all the time for support. At the same time though you may have less opportunities, and is it better to be "safe" or to take a risk and do something out of your comfort zone to try and achieve your goals?