Giving Up : College

I moved here when I was 9 from Brazil, in late 2000 with my parents. We came on a tourist visa for 6 months, and just stayed. Now I'm a senior in high school, and college is just around the corner. I've always been very active in school and take parts in many clubs, with officer positions. I'm also top 5% of my class and have a weighted GPA of 4.6, 1230 SAT, and still waiting for my ACT.

I know I could get into some good colleges if I apply. But lately these applications have just been bringing me down. I live in Florida, so I was mainly focusing on schools here. Since I don't have a SSN, a lot of schools automatically send me to the International Students application. However what I'm hesitant about is that many schools ask what type of VISA I have, and state on their website that I must have a F-1 Student Visa. I really don't know what to do, this just makes me not want to bother applying to any schools.

I've browsed through other topics on here and they were a great help, but I honestly don't think I can get into any Ivy Leagues. I was also looking at some out of state private schools like BU, and on their website it says:

"If you enter the United States on a visitor’s visa (B-2) without the “Prospective Student” classification (issued only in exceptional circumstances), you will not be able to change to a student classification and may not be permitted to continue in school. In this case, you risk forfeiting your tuition. It is your responsibility to obtain the proper visa classification."

So yeah, I really don't know what to do. And to think about it, even if I did get into any of these schools there would be no way I could afford it. I've never had a job because of my status and my parents have been having a lot of difficulty financially lately.

Sorry for the vent, I just feel as if I don't have anyone to talk to. Some of my friends know of my situation but they don't really understand. Lately I've been just feeling really down, I ask myself why am I at a country where I'm considered a nobody, and "alien"? I haven't been to Brazil since I moved here, and I know going back would be completely different. But at least there I am a person. Here I can't drive, can't have a proper job, can't be treated like everyone else.

Thanks for listening, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Yo man I know how you feel because I was where you are right now last year, and all I have to tell you is not to give up. This is the first time in more than 10 years, that we are closer to an Immigration reform that will let us go to college and become normal citizens. In the meantime just keep doing good in school, something will pass before you graduate from high school in June. And apply to private universities if your status is an issue, there are a lot of private schools such as Amherst and stuff that give scholarships to out of status students.
I dont know from where in Florida you are, but I'm from Miami, and the Miami-Dade Honors College accepts out of status students and you go there for FREE, plus you receive a very good education. So what I recommend is that you continue with your education in the meantime, don't let this stop you, because next thing you know Dream Act passed and your problems are solved.

ay talk to ur school consular i know its a hard thing to do but do it im sure someone will help u with your application u have to fill those out indicating ur undocumented any else is consider fraud and that would look so bad for u....or go to google there are organization that will help u with ur college applications here in los angeles there an organization that does that (4 ppl in california that need up with college application go to futuros-california.com) yea go to college don't worry about the application process p.s. worry more about how u goin to pay for college.....stay positive...believe in god and everything will turn out great.....

I live in fl too!!! It sucks man, but don't give up. Look forward to your senior year and just communicate with people and ask around about scholarships. That's what I'm doing. I heard in fl you can take a dual enrollment class and then you can pay in state tuition. You can go to a community college. That's what I'm trying to do. You are really smart, best of luck!

I am from florida, you can still apply to florida schools, but like someone else already mentioned, you have to keep in contact with the counselors at the schools you are applying, if you get stuck in a part give them a call, and see what you should do in order to complete the application.
I am currently attending a private school in the state of Illinois, and managed to get a scholarship there, furthermore, if you are in Miami, it should be relatively easy to get the application fee's waived if you get free lunch, so use that to your advantage, this is probably also the case in various other school districts in the state of Florida.
don't give up hope, something will happen soon.



how did you get into Miami-Dade Honors College for free?!?!
I think I looked their application for the honors college, but I do not remember what point caught my eye that made me think it would not work out. If it turns out that there was a way to get in for free legitimately I am going to be very sad.... I got accepted to MDC as well, without even applying.

The person that was paying in-state tuition fell through a crack where he was categorized as in-state because he had taken duel enrollment classes there, I would not count on this happening too often. In florida, or at least in miami-dade, duel enrollment classes while in high school are free to take, they will even provide the textbooks for free, so its a pretty sweet deal, furthermore, they are actual college classes so the credits could transfer over to other colleges, decreasing the time that you have to attend to get a degree and ultimately making college less expensive.

I was in your same spot last year, everyone was getting accepted to uni's and i'd just say i got accepted to USF. Its wrong but what are you going to do.

Now when they ask, I just say I decided to wait a year and that i'm working .
all you can do is wait, you'll have your days where you'll hate life but its all normal.
Im in central FL, so let me know if you need anything.

Hey, well I don't go to Miami Dade Honors, but my undocumented friends do, and the college covers their tuition, books, etc. Here it is:

The Honors College Fellows Award is available to students admitted to The Honors College. This award is one of the College’s most prestigious scholarships, covering the full cost of in-state tuition, fees and books. The Fellows Award is renewable for one additional year if The Honors College requirements are met. The scholarship is available to new students entering the college as long as he/she meets the requirements of the program. It’s based on the students GPA, SAT and/or ACT scores. Your official transcript, essay and teacher recommendations play a part in students being awarded a scholarship. See eligibility requirements above.


Peace