<p>@happymomof1 - That’s a great idea! I hope the hard numbers will open their eyes to just how difficult it would be for me to manage on my own. I don’t know how much of an impact that will be, because as I have stated in previously in other replies, they often deny any credibility for anything I have to offer, but I will definitely show them this.</p>
<p>My parents are firm in believing that things have not changed much since they were young, which is one of the factors for why it is so difficult to convince them. Unfortunately, thus far the idea of going to community college especially does not appeal to me because I want a engaging academic environment and to be surrounded by those who can further my interest of simply learning many great things. I’ve taken classes at a local community college before and was quite bored of it. The idea of commuting is also not ideal due to the fact that it will extend my parents’ constricting reign for four more years, and for issues with them I would rather not discuss on CC, it is a lot more complicated than just wanting to be free of troublesome parents like many teenagers desire (without getting too specific, it has been extremely unhealthy for me to live with them and at this point, after about eight years of this being a problem, I am almost reaching my limit on tolerating and coping with it). I have tried my absolute hardest to smooth over any rifts I have with them and to get closer to finding a solution to these frustrating issues, as I understand their intentions and their stories and beliefs, but to no avail. ):</p>
<p>As for public universities, I am worried they will not provide what I am looking for (pretty much the same concerns I have for community college), although I am not completely opposed to it as I would with community college.</p>
<p>My goals with a college education, and with a career in general, is not to find a lucrative job per se, but to fulfill my need of intellectual and personal stimulation and development (which of course, my parents cannot understand, but ever so slowly my love of Bones is somehow persuading them to understand that I will do fine outside of the medical field like they envision).</p>
<p>Edit: I just want to clarify I have never imagined doing things the way I want to (for once!) to be easy, but I am concerned with all my possibilities from here.</p>