So, the truth is, depending on how strong that need is, I may encourage a bochur to go to a place where all his friends are going, because that may be the right thing for him to do. 

On the other hand, there's something very exciting about starting something new - high school was a whole different world where it’s kids and it's “us versus the rabbis” and “hiding from the principal of the school” - it's a different experience.  

And if you are looking for something different now as you forge into manhood, so to speak, real independence. To be in a place where you are going to make new friends and you're going to have to build your skills. And of course, your other friends are still here. They're all here. They’re all in Yerushalayim. All your friends from high school are not disappearing. But at the same time, starting a new chapter of your life, one that's focused on change and developing yourself, may be easier to do when you're not with all of your friends from high school. Ironically they may stunt your growth and not enhance your ability to grow. So that is a very personal decision as to the role of one's friends in choosing which yeshiva they go to in Eretz Yisrael.