I'm at a loss of what to do, college-bound senior - Page 2

That story about the robot team is awe inspiring and sobering at the same time.

Getting into Boston U isn't that hard. I got a $16k scholarship from them and for some reason I wasn't considered an international student even after I told them I wasn't a citizen or PR. GPA was average and I had minimal if any community service hours. However, I had to decline because I couldn't even afford tuition with the scholarship. I think 1 year in Boston will cost you $60k if not more. I guess it'll depend on the major but my aunt attended grad school at BU and took a small hit with student loans. She attended community college for her first two years of undergrad so what school you attended doesn't matter as much as how well you did AT that school. I was the same way and thought "I'm going to go to a 4year college. I'll NEVER go to CC" but after a year at a university I decided the money wasn't worth it since basics are basics and I could get them out of the way at a fraction of the cost at CC. So that's what I did. Afterwards, I transferred and got a full ride at my current school. Going to CC isn't the kiss of death.

Let me say with all the money you're pouring into application fees you could have saved to put towards somewhere else. I felt bad spending $50 per application I sent out and I think right now fees have risen to $75. If it's your 8th then it would have costed you around $600. That's a lot of money that you'll never get back.

First, this is the only place where people will understand what you're going through (because they've been through it), so if I was you I would listen to what most have to say.

Like almost everybody else has said, lower your expectations. I didn't apply to any colleges on my senior year because I knew that as an illegal I wouldn't have a chance, so I started working instead. I don't believe this was a mistake, the mistake was made when I focused on work ONLY and not in work and school.

That said, I also felt that 'community college' was 'beneath me' (come on, most of us are smart and we thought that way), please do NOT think like that. It took me six years to realize I had to do something about school, so I did, and I only regret not doing it sooner (I could have graduated with a bachelor's, but oh well). Community college was the cheapest and most accessible way to start anything. After a few bumps and bruises, here I am, about to finish half of the bachelor's at the community college, saving a lot of money and driving time. Plus, remember that a lot of times community colleges have smaller classes and thus, better student to teacher ratio.

Don't stress, take a deep breath, but remember, DO SOMETHING. We are in a difficult situation, and it will NEVER be easy, but that's the road we were given to drive, and I'm sure that besides all the bad stuff, it's been a blast to drive on it.

I'm impressed! Most dreamers are so admirable and hard workers. I am so lucky I didn't have to go through all those problems. My state, NM offers state aid and in-state tuition to anyone graduating from a state HS. I didn't really have to think about going to top notch colleges because I knew I wouldn't have any trouble getting accepted at my local university and well, it was easy. Plus my tuition was super cheap (about $6000 a year). I agree with everyone, an education is an education, and while it is a little harder for us Dreamers, it is not impossible.

It's not impossible, tc can go to his dream school but with out a proper status it will be almost next to impossible to afford unless he gets outside help. Even then most scholarships for top schools are nor for illegal aliens. But this shouldn't stop him for going there but he needs to realize he sill he there differently.

Thank you guys for all the responses and you are right. I really am not counting on these top schools whatsoever but I am still applying regardless. Right now I'm waiting to hear back if am matched with a school through the Questbridge National College Match, if I don't get matched (likely since only about 13% of finalists are matched through this scholarship program) I will apply RD but have a local state college to fall back on. Right now, because of dual enrollment and my AP credits I am about one humanities classe and two electives away from being able to get my associates. I am competing for a local scholarship which my school nominated me for that would provide two years tuition and books to the local state college.

I know it seems like I am all about prestige, but I really cannot stand how unsatisfying my dual enrollment classes are. I get that its a path to a degree, but I really haven't felt challenged in the classes at my local college. I want to be challenged.

I know I'll get that challenge if I go to the stronger state school like UF or FSU or UCF, but those will provide even less aid than most of the other schools I am applying to. UM is a pretty solid option as well; I'm right in the ranges for two of their full-tuition merit scholarships (again, I am not counting on this but I want to have as many options as I can come April).

Pianoswithoutfait: That was a great story, it really is amazing how motivated everyone here can be. You're right that a name is not what will get me a solid job, it's hard work and character. I get how unreasonable everything I am saying is. The story about the robotics team is sad, and it is a reality I do need to deal with. But like them, I need to at least try.

I wasn't saying that I don't have any extracurriculars or achievement, just that I have not done as much as I wish I would have. i.e. some kind of research internship.

Texan Jose: Thanks and I will be sure to learn from your mistake. I really should listen to you guys. I think last night when I posted this is when I was coming back down to reality, I realized how small my chances of being able to afford these places really are.

Kmpxx: You're right that CC isn't the kiss of death. I don't know why I tried justifying that it was, I think its because my math teacher mentioned how limited your reach is if you go to a CC. I was kind of panicking. Total, I have spent about $60 dollars on applications. All I had to pay for was to send scores. As part of being a QuestBridge finalist, my application fee is waived at all 33 of their partner schools, so I could really apply my heart out if that's what I really wanted

If it comes down to it, I will get my associates in the summer and transfer to a state school that can offer me some hefty aid, but for now I will still try to go to these amazing schools. Thank you everyone for the advice, I really am trying to figure out my future and I appreciate the input.

What do you plan to study btw? Read about them. A lot of them didn't end up in some top school and one even dropped from the program he was doing to some mechanic thing. Another is making good. Had the dream act passed these people would have no doubt gotten into decent schools withs good degree and jobs waiting. They with a low budget designed and beat MiT which had a better team and budget but with out status they didn't get far.

Wow, I read what you posted but I hadn't clicked on the link. That's both disappointing but very motivating. While they were courted by top schools it seems in the end they didn't want to go to these places, they're all taking their own paths in life. But one thing I see in common is that they are succeeding in what they do because of how talented and hard working they are. Thank you for the read.

I am between biomed engineering (only three schools in Fl are accredited in it at this time) or micro/biology with a focus on genome but I am leaning towards biomed. I've always been towards the engineering field.

Youd be surprised how many public schools like UCBerkeley and UCLA have world class education similar to Ivy League schools. Im also a high achieving studen and for a bit my dream schools were Stanford and Columbia University but now I'm just focusing on UCB and UCLA, as I learn more about academia and the successful careers of some, I've realized that it doesn't matter where you get your B.A or B.S , it will matter more where you get your Ph.D or masters . Save those dream school for postgraduate education. But of course still try, you don't have anything to lose.

Hmmm, but for us Dreamers, isn't CC still worth a butt load of money? I'm doing housing and the spring tuition at around $7700 which my local CC charges for just two classes.