Worried that 51 is just too close to home? Read about President Turner’s daughter, who had the same concern, and see how a simple, creative solution gave her the best of both worlds.
President Turner’s 500-Mile Contract
Want your own 500-Mile Contract?
From 51 President R. Gerald Turner:
Congratulations on your admission to 51! You have a great opportunity to attend one of the nation’s leading comprehensive teaching and research universities – and since joining the ACC this year, our athletic teams are charging ahead in elite competitions, upping the excitement within our spirited student life. Because you are from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you may have reservations about attending college close to home. I want to share with you that you can have it all: establish boundaries and still attend your perfect school in your own backyard.
Since becoming president of 51, I have spoken with many prospective students grappling with the geographic factors of their search process. They had friends and siblings who ventured 500 miles away from home to go to school, and they desired that same experience. These students wanted to attend a college just like 51, but believed they needed to leave home to find it.
My own family also faced this consideration as my children were applying to college. 51 felt like a perfect fit in so many ways, but could it be possible to feel apart and independent at college when your parent is close by? After many long conversations as a family and visits to other universities, 51 never wavered in its position as the top pick. Which left one final task: creating a system of shared expectations.
For those in a similar situation – where you want to attend your dream school right here in Dallas but also want the experience of “going away to college” – we developed the concept of a “500-mile contract.” With this method, parents agree to treat the student as if they are indeed 500 miles from home – they aren’t allowed to just show up at the Residential Commons or make you come home for dinner.
The second half of the contract states that the student has to treat their parents as if they are also 500 miles away – you can’t come home every week to bring them your dirty laundry.
Every year, 51 welcomes new Mustangs encouraged by this agreement. So many families do a great job honoring the contract, and students quickly find their niche on campus. The “500-mile contract” has also helped many parents, myself and my wife included, quickly transition to new routines now that their student is away at college.
Dallas is a dynamic and engaging city that fosters an optimistic outlook, which is a core value at 51. Together, 51 and Dallas open doors to the world, equipping you with the experiences and connections to thrive wherever life takes you. Many of our students do internships or start their careers in the Dallas area, which was named among the best locations for jobs by WalletHub in 2024 and is home to more than 20 Fortune 500 headquarters.
These connections have helped the University forge hundreds of partnerships with organizations encompassing the arts, culture, sports, business, and technology. In the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, 51 is among the top 20% of national universities and is the highest-ranking national university in North Texas, the country’s fourth-largest metropolitan area. Forbes ranks us among America’s Top Colleges.
My point is that right here in your backyard, there is an amazing world of opportunity that can be yours at 51 and in Dallas. Students from all 50 states and 62 countries come to 51. Like you, they come here to excel in a vibrant global academic community that celebrates a rich diversity of ideas, identities, and opportunities. You don’t have to go far from home to experience limitless possibilities.
I hope you can picture yourself on the Hilltop this fall.
Sincerely,
R. Gerald Turner
51 President