So, I was accepted to my dream school. All was good until a few weeks ago when my family suddenly had a big financial drain. So, apparently all the money that was suppose to be used for my college is not there anymore. My parents REFUSE to sign/let me sign any loans. I don’t qualify for any financial aid or any government money. My only option is to go to a community “like” college- they have dorms but it’s basically a 100% acceptance rate, and can get associates and bachelors degrees. I am heartbroken. My parents say that after one year at this school I can try to transfer into my dream school, or one like it. My question is, how easy is this? Will schools look down on the quality of the college I attended? I would be looking to transfer into a top 20 university or liberal arts college. If I can excel next year do I still have a chance of being accepted as a transfer?
My other option would be to take a gap year. Which one looks “better”/ hurts me the least?
There are still some state schools that haven’t closed their applications. I know some in the 100’s. If your stats are high enough and the priority deadline hasn’t passed yet, you can still apply!
@stelliferous sadly it is not about the fact that I can’t find colleges taking applications. It is basically because my parents are mega control freaks and either want me going to a top 20 university or none at all. - but of course won’t pay for it or allow me to get loans for it this year. It took a solid week for me to beg and be allowed to go to the community college, because it’s “not a real college anyway”. Thanks for the advice though!
Did you get a scholarship at your dream school. If so, take a gap year.
Take a gap year. Transfers get lousy aid.
What are your stats?
First thing : Can your parents file an appeal due to unforeseen circumstances changing your financial situation?
(only possible if you’re a. Citizen or permanent resident).
Most Top 25 colleges admit lateral transfers who have an excellent reason to want to leave their college. Some admit community college transfers, such as UC’s and use for Californians enrolled in California community colleges. Or Cornell cals for New Yorkers (mostly). But all in all, it’s mostly Amherst to Harvard or Connecticut College to Williams.
- my parents already filed an appeal but were denied. They technically have the money, but they didn't specifically set it aside for college/it's other savings so won't spend it. They also have a house fully paid off worth 1mil+ along with other assets that make it impossible to get any aid. It's not necessarily that I will need aid next year, my parents just want time to "move stuff around" financially.
Stats;
ACT: 32
GPA: 3.7 something uw (this semester has not been great as I have been slacking off due to the fact that I thought I was already in to college)
- varsity sports, community service
@ahsmuoh yeah but my parents called them and denied my acceptance “on my behalf”. Imagine what that surprise was like when I came home from school and my mom said she already did me the favor of withdrawing my application…they didn’t understand that you can defer
Call the college and say your mother called without your permission and made a mistake, confusing 'withdraw’and ‘defer’…? Are you first generation (neither parents has a 4-year degree) or are your parents from another country? As it may be helpful to the college to understand Hey your mother would do such a thing on your behalf…and ‘get the word wrong’.
With your stats, you can get merit aid at other colleges, but only if you don’t damage your freshman status. So, take a gap year, do not register enroll, or take any class at the community -like college. Retake the act.
I am so sorry for the catastrophe. Really horrible. 
@MYOS1634 no my parents are just idiots…they both went to Ivy League schools and how they got in is about the biggest mystery in the world. I only took the act once without studying at all. I guess I will take the year to master the act and maybe try the sat. Im a bit worried it will be weird because I will be 19-20 my freshman year of college, but oh well.
Can someone other than the student verbally withdraw but even a step further - can the student verbally withdraw anyway? Wouldn’t they want that in writing? Too risky to do it over phone I would think, even with student id#. That doesn’t smell right and I would think could easily be fixed with a phone call and changed to deferred.
^ true. You - not a parent - must withdraw, and a phone call to admissions from your mother may not be sufficient. Call them yourself. Or email your reply
‘my mother informed me today that she called to withdraw my candidacy. She did so without my permission or consulting with me. Zwx college has always been my first choice and I do intend to attend. I would however be very appreciative if I could defer my enrollment to Fall 2018, as you know my parents’ finances suffered a hit this Winter. I plan to work during that time but will keep you updated. I will not enroll in any class.’
Lots of students take gap years and top schools actually encourage that. In addition, no one will know you’re 19 unless you say so when meeting them and there’ll be many 19 year olds. It’s not like freshmen are kept away from everyone else. 
Your parents went to ivy league schools, have a 1+ million net worth and don’t even want you to go to a state 4 year school? Did you apply to your state flagship?
Though far from an ideal situation, Harvard Extension provides a high quality liberal arts education for very little money. There are 18 year olds who attend though it’s mostly non-traditional students. You can read about it here
extension.harvard.edu
What state do you live in?
Is this real? New poster joined yesterday, claiming Parents with a million+ paid for house and Ivy degrees suddenly lose their shirts financially and decline your admission to a top school? Hard to fathom. They can get a home equity loan.
Agree on HELOC.
The financial loss may not have been sudden. It’s possible the parents borrowed the money in the college account intending to pay it back or hoping a financial aid offer would be enough to make it up and neither happened.
I agree that taking a gap year is probably the way to go. OP really needs to find out how much the parents are willing/able to pay per year before she enrolls anywhere.
OP, can you sit down with your parents and get a definite range they can commit to for next year?
But the OP said they had a big financial drain a few weeks ago. Hope they didn’t just return from a trip to Vegas.