I guess it is different for each person.
Unfortunately, I did not have the funds to start out at the school of choice, so I am about to finish my last year here at a community college. However, I applied at 3 universities in my senior year of high school. I was accepted to all 3, however, I eliminated Southern Illinois University right away after a representative came to school, and told me to my face that SIU would not be a good choice for broadcast meteorology. If you are trying to get someone to go to your school, you DON'T say that
.
The other two were Western and Northern Illinois University. I visited both, and the visits cemented my decision. I fell in love with NIU, and will be attending in Fall of 2011
While I have visited friends at universities a few times a year, I can't wait to actually experience college life 24/7! Going to a community college, it just isn't the same