DEAR HARRIETTE: A few days ago, I received a letter from a law school in Colorado asking me to apply to its program. I am excited about the prospect of going to graduate school; however, I am not interested in attending law school in the West. If this offer had been given to me in my 20s, I would have jumped at the opportunity, but I am in my 40s now. I live in Connecticut, and I have various responsibilities that are not easy to forgo. I am not married, nor do I have children, but I have ties that bind. If I go to graduate school on the East Coast, I can maintain my responsibilities. Should I still apply to the school in Colorado for the practice, or should I email them to inform them that I am not going to apply to their school? -- Mile-High Education, New Haven, Connecticut
DEAR MILE-HIGH EDUCATION: Before you close a door, find out what's behind it. It could be that the offer from the school in Colorado offers enough positive options that they outweigh your current lifestyle, choices and responsibilities. You will not know for sure until you do your research. You should be honest with them, meaning make it clear that it could be hard for you to uproot and move there, but you are willing to consider it thoughtfully, depending on the circumstances.
As far as local schools go, activate your research, and apply to all that seem viable so that you can find out if the opportunity is available to you in your hometown.