While many of my peers are renting their limos, making reservations for 50+ people, and blowing literally thousands of dollars on dresses, I’ve decided to skip prom. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of a ceremonial coming-of-age event but honestly there are about a thousand other places I’d rather be than at our high school prom.

 The cost. After hair, makeup, nails, the dress, the tux, boutonnieres and corsages, a limo, dinner, and the actual tickets the average high schooler on the East Coast spends $1,528 on this “magical night.” I could very well argue that this is COMPLETELY ridiculous and nugatory. I attended prom my sophomore year and spent $250 on my dress, $100 on shoes, $70 on makeup, $50 on hair, $40 on dinner, $35 on a boutonniere, and $50 on my ticket. I spend almost $600, and for what? For a night of awkwardly posed pictures with my date, whom I will not remember in five years, going out to dinner way overdressed, and spending an hour at a sweaty dance. It’s an illusion like any other coming-of-age event that society has taught us will feel magical when, in reality, it makes you feel awkward, sweaty, and broke.

 The dance itself. For those of you who have ever been to prom, you know how it goes. Your group will probably form a circle, girls inside boys outside, and grind while awkwardly trying to converse with one another. There will be the occasional group of close guy friends raging with each other while their dates fake laugh their way through the awkward experience; however, most people will be in the former position. At most, a group will stay two maybe three hours and some will leave after 30 minutes to get drunk at their friends, but honestly imagine the worth of an experience like this compared to the price tag.

 The after parties. Debatably the only fun part of prom night. We all know what happens here so to avoid an awkward confrontation by my editor I’ll leave out the gory details. These cause a lot of drama just from what I’ve heard this year… people getting kicked out of their groups last minute, dates getting separated because only one was invited to an after party, and worse.

 The point is, prom is expensive, awkward, and it’s just one night. In the end, which would you rather do… dance like an idiot with your best friends in your pajamas or grind in a crowded, sweaty room in an uncomfortable dress? Apparently the choice is a lot harder than it seems.