<p>Some colleges still have spaces available for Fall '07 including the availability of financial aid and housing. Use this link to search by state: <a href="http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/forstudents/2007SpaceAvailabilityResults.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/forstudents/2007SpaceAvailabilityResults.com</a></p>
<p>SkyGirl, look at University of Chicago. A generous alumnus just donated 100 million for full scholarships for low income students. It sounds to me as if the first time around, you didn't file for financial aid properly. Case Western is usually good on aid, so there must have been a reason why they disqualified you. You are a good candidate, and should apply to good schools for fall '08, even if you decide to start out at CC or a local college. USC, Tulane, Boston University, Vassar, and Bates are good with aid. Many of the smaller schools are giving more aid than the larger schools these days. Apply to the best school or schools in your state as well.</p>
<p>Thank you for the suggestions. I have been down in the dumps lately. I just wish I can find something that will work out for me. Dreaming of a full ride! Would not that be great.
When my dad, I had to take some time off from high school. Would that have hurt my chances? I did explain to the places I applied but I am afraid that the time off is looking bad on my record.
Well guys which college would consider giving a full ride to a weird student like me, any more advices?</p>
<p>I think that they will not hold the fact that you took time off because your dad died (and/or was ill). Just try to present it as a practical necessity-family needed for you to stay home, etc. Avoid having them think that you are overly emotional or unstable. Of course some emotion is fine in a case like that, but avoid having them think that you were more emotionally impacted than the average person would be. Getting full rides and large amounts of financial aid is hard. Your paperwork must be 100% in order. I may be assuming too much, but it sounds as if you didn't really apply for aid properly last time. You must also apply as early in the season as possible, because it goes fast. Also, you should look like a very solid candidate for the particular school, as other posters have mentioned.</p>
<p>I agree that you should wait to go to college until Fall 2008 (if you are going to start at a 4 year school). This timing will give you a very good shot for schools that cover full need, especially if you are doing something this year that they will find intriguing -- even a volunteer project while you are working. Your high school teachers or guidance counselors or even an outside recommender (such as a clergy person) could explain your family situation and its impact on you. Good luck.</p>
<p>I think that getting significant aid is most certainly doable if you watch deadlines, put in time to research schools, and prepare a good application. Having a parent die is extremely difficult, but you can and will make it through to reach a time when your grief is less sharp and life is less difficult and you have completed college. Believe in yourself and try to be with people who believe in you.</p>
<p>Also, see this news article about reflecting one's hard times in the college essay:
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/27/education/27college.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1185545770-fBSKVJvRK6rwgzl4EJonbw%5B/url%5D">http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/27/education/27college.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1185545770-fBSKVJvRK6rwgzl4EJonbw</a></p>
<p>My condolences on your dad's death.</p>
<p>Colleges do not hold against you taking time off after graduating from high school as long as you did something productive. In fact, taking a productive year off can make one stand out in the admission pool because colleges know that students who do this are likely to be more mature and committed to going to college because they would know how important college is.</p>
<p>"Productive'' could include your situation of presumably helping your ill mother after your dad's death. Unless your family responsibilities now are overwhelming, it also would be a good idea to get a fulltime or parttime job, and to use the money to help out with your household expenses as well as to help pay for college.</p>
<p>Anyone who has sufferd the death of a parent, the illness of another, and a family with major debt is going to be under stress and also will be depressed. I hope that you're looking into counseling support for yourself either. Low cost counseling is available through many churches, agencies like Catholic and Lutheran Social Services (which provide nonreligious counseling to people of any faith or lack of faith), and community mental health agencies.</p>
<p>One last thing: Since your mom is ill, you may also want to think about how far away you are willing to go to college. Do you wish to be within commuting distance or an easy drive of your mom so you can see her regularly?</p>
<p>Your stats are very strong. For fall 08, look into the CUNY Honors College. If accepted it is an automatic full ride for four years and they provide housing to the honors students.</p>
<p>I was thinking of trying out for Brandeis or Whitman. Between the 2, where do I stand a better chance of getting a schoharship?</p>
<p>Look at Houghton College in New York.</p>