How important are extra-curricular activities?

To commute that far is generally a waste of time & gas. Also, weigh the cost of buying a car, title, registration, annual inspections, car insurance (which can be very expensive for those under 25), gas, maintenance, repairs, etc. What if gas goes over $4/gal again? Run your numbers as the car may cost as much or more than room & board contract for dorms & no car.

Also, consider scheduling conflicts, time you should be studying, weather. Winter where you live? You cannot miss classes because the roads are bad, and it's dangerous to drive on icy, nasty roads.

Safety is a very serious concern your parents should respond to, as well as cost issues.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.