<p>CollegeConfidential has been my number one go-to source of information during the crazy admissions process, so I'm coming to you guys with one last-ditch question. I hope I didn't post this in the wrong section...
I have completely backed myself into a stupid lunatic corner. This is an extremely long and stupid story, so no hard feelings if you don't make it through.
[ul]
[<em>]When I was looking for/applying to colleges, my parents told me that cost would be no issue. My dad had taken a job in another state and bought a house there with the intentions of moving after I graduated. All of the money gained from selling the first house would go to my education costs. However, my family chose not to move after I had already applied to some of the most expensive schools in the US and all application deadlines had passed. Now we're stuck juggling two mortgages in places with ridiculously high property taxes. According to the FAFSA, our EFC is still a staggering $50k+, so I did not apply for need-based aid.
[</em>]I didn't apply to any in-state schools because I was stupid and obsessed with prestige.
[<em>] With finances in mind, I sent in my deposit to Case Western Reserve because they're giving me $20k a year. I don't really like Cleveland and had a wonky feeling the three times I visited campus. I applied because I knew they would likely give me a lot of merit money.
[</em>] I thought I would be happy with my choice because I'm saving my parents so much money, but I've been depressed and angry for the last month. I hate that I'm upset, because Case is a logical choice. I want to go to grad school, so it makes sense that I should save money for now. I just don't really want to spend the next four years in Cleveland, and paying the remaining $30k is still a lot of money for me to be miserable.
[li] It seems like I can't exactly transfer either, because colleges don't really give transfer merit scholarships.[/li][/ul]
So what do I do? My guidance counselor says to call the other schools I was accepted to and see if they have space (UChicago, UMichigan, Carnegie Mellon, and GaTech), but it doesn't seem to be financially viable, except for maybe GT or Michigan (or logical, considering it's a month after the enrollment deadline). I've also been perusing the NACAC Space Availability Survey, but nothing's really calling my name.
I don't know what to do. I'm at the point where I genuinely want to be put on anti-depressants because I cannot comprehend why I'm so upset. (A large component is probably my jealousy...) My parents have also suggested taking a gap year and reapplying, but it's a bit late in the game for that, no? Not to mention that I'd be a nineteen year old freshman. Could I call my state school and beg them to let me apply as a transfer now? Or can someone give me the secret to being happy and letting go of envy?</p>
<p>What are your parents saying about this topic when you tell them how you are feeling right now?</p>
<p>My parents are telling me to call the other schools and that they’ll foot the bill, but from what I’ve heard them saying when they think I don’t hear them is that our family is essentially living from paycheck to paycheck. A couple of years ago, we did some renovation on the house that went way over budget because the contractor screwed us over. They also chose to do the renovation before they even heard of my father moving to a different state. I think that combined completely wiped my parent’s savings.
To be honest, I’m not even sure how they’re going to pay the $30k for Case. They let it slip that they’d just take a loan out for it, but it seems ridiculous to do that. I’m almost willing to go to community college at this point.</p>
<p>No it is not too late to take a gap year. And those that do take a gap year are 19, so you will not be out of the ordinary. Don’t go to a school you think you will hate or a place you will hate when you still have to pay $30K to go there. Taking time to find a place that you WILL like, and can afford, is the best use of your time. However, to apply to colleges and have a chance of success next year, have solid plans to use your gap year for something solid/beneficial.</p>
<p>I’m thinking a GAP year might be a good option if you are this upset. You are trying to make a logical decision where many experienced adults would not and I give you a lot of credit for that. You are stressed and unhappy and that’s not a good way to start out college. A couple of thoughts…</p>
<p>-Talk to Case and find out if you can defer one year. Try to find out in that year if you can fairly apply to other universities. This is only a good idea if you have something productive you can do in the GAP year. You don’t have to travel Europe or work in the Peace Corps, but you should have a plan. </p>
<p>-GA Tech is not going to be much more than the $30k Case is going to cost. See if they will take you.</p>
<p>-You said you didn’t apply to state schools. Are there state schools that are safety/match you would consider attending?</p>
<p>-Rerun FAFSA and see if you would be eligible for aid given your parents increased housing cost. I’m not familiar enough to know if a non-primary residence will make a difference in award. Also, would you consider a part-time campus job at a university if it meant being happier then you envision being at Case. Only you and your parents can decide if you are a student that can handle 10-12 hrs/week. This might help make a difference for say spending money and you wouldn’t feel bad asking your parents for money.</p>
<p>-If you decide to go to community college make sure you understand how this will affect any merit/fin-aid award next year. Generally the highest awards are to first time freshman students. Each university may define this differently. You may be able to take classes but not over a certain number of hours and still be a freshman, or not at all. This means if you are going to apply to colleges next year, and not stay at cc and transfer after you earn an associates degree it MAY be better to take a gap year then risk your freshman status.</p>
<p>Continue to communicate with your parents about how you are feeling. Right now your number one goal should be to help reduce this anxiety. Some is normal right now, but I feel from your post you are experiencing more than you should. Work to reduce that.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Hm so for a gap year, how exactly would I go about planning it? It seems like everyone I know who’s taking a gap year has already starting planning it from sophomore year…</p>
<p>What were you planning on studying? Often an internship in your intended field can be a good idea. Some students do service trips and travel, however something extensive isn’t necessary. You just don’t want to sit on your kiester and play video games in mom’s basement. Continuing with some community service if you’ve been involved in high school can be good. I know students that have mentored in middle and elementary school versions of their high school ECs. It lets schools know your ECs/service were things you cared about, not simply resume building.</p>
<p>There’s a pretty long thread in the Parent’s Forum on GAP years. I believe a lot of things are discussed and might give you some ideas:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1043104-gap-year-most-wonderful-gift-if-you-can-swing-your-kid.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1043104-gap-year-most-wonderful-gift-if-you-can-swing-your-kid.html?</a></p>
<p>Thanks everyone for their calm responses - I’ve been kind of running on neurotic mode haha.</p>
<p>blueiguana: I ran the FAFSA without including the second house, and the EFC was $38k. When I including the second house, it jumped to $50k. I think perhaps the FAFSA expects my family to sell the second house?
I think also one of the main contributing issues to this mess is that I’m not quite sure what I want to major in. I’m between neuroscience/cognitive science/bioinformatics/math/engineering, but the majority of my high school ECs are writing-based. Honestly, I’m just a huge confused mess, and it’s happening at the completely wrong time. I’m kinda leaning towards the gap year because I actually am completely in flux on who I am and what I want to be.
Thanks for the gap-year link, I’m looking through it now.</p>
<p>Noone expects you to sell your second house but they do expect you to tap into the value of that house (perhaps with a second mortgage or a line of credit).</p>
<p>I really don’t know what you should do, but I’d just like to say I’m sorry you’re in this situation. Best wishes for the future!</p>
<p>Don’t worry about not knowing what to do during your gap year; anything is fine, as long as it’s somewhat productive. I took an unplanned gap year after high school (and I, too, was 19 at the time) and it benefited me immensely even though I didn’t do anything extraordinary. To quote myself from another conversation on the subject:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>And if you do decide to take a year off, don’t worry about it too much. I think you may feel like a failure compared to your friends for a while/think your life is going nowhere–which is a natural response to having a seemingly undesirable course of action foisted on you because of circumstances beyond your control–but believe me, in a few months, after you’ve had some time to come to terms with your decision, you’ll realize that in the grand scheme of things, one year is nothing. In fact, who knows, maybe taking a year off to think about your future will enable you to come up with the sort of clear and steadfast vision for the future that your classmates, lost in the hectic routine of studying, partying and socializing at college, will not have had the time to reach.</p>