<p>I am currently on summer break. Although it is supposed to be a time of relaxation, I have spent most of it worrying about college. I will ramble about my situation, but please bear with me. I need help, and feel that the people whose job it is to help me are not giving me adequate assistance. They only bombard me with facts.</p>
<p>I am an indecisive person and keep changing my plans for the future. These plans alternate from becoming diplomat, to becoming English teacher abroad, or to becoming history professor. I am currently contemplating on becoming an English language teacher abroad, since that job goes hand-in-hand with my personal goals. The countries I plan to go to are Russia, Mexico, and Britain. To follow this career track, I will apply to the following schools:</p>
<p>Harvard
Columbia
Boston University
Macalester
UC Berkeley
UCLA
California State University - Northridge
Arizona State University</p>
<p>In all honesty, the only school I truly have my heart set on Boston University (as stupid as that sounds). It just felt "right" to me, but this something I just cannot put into words. The problem, however, is the cost. It is the most expensive school on this list, and I have no way of paying it. My family's income for a family of five is quite low and unless BU decides to give me full aid, I just cannot attend. Well, assuming I get in; I am getting too ahead of myself. I read that this school is known for not giving enough financial assistance, and that the very good aid is reserved for exceptional pupils.</p>
<p>The more affordable options here, believe it or not, are Harvard and Columbia. These schools also have higher costs, but are more generous with their aid. They award full need-based aid to students whose families earn < $60,000. This is exactly what I need, but applying to these particular institutions is a crapshoot. I have only heard of super-students getting in, not slightly above-average ones like me.</p>
<p>I receive outside pressure, and a lot of it. My teachers say things like, "You, AwesomePrussia, are too good for a community college. Don't go to Pierce, CSUN, etc. If you don't go to UCLA/UC Berkeley/Harvard I will [insert generic and harmless threat here]!" My parents say things such as, "Go to college. I don't care if you only end up being a janitor in the end... JUST GO TO COLLEGE. AND NONE OF THAT COMMUNITY COLLEGE [insert Spanish language profanity here], EITHER!" Yeah something like that, only in Spanish. </p>
<p>My Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior year stats are not amazing, but they are still considered a bit above average. This still rings true especially for attending a charter school that still somewhat follows the rules of what is said to be the worst school district in the country. Here is a description:</p>
<p>-Test Scores:</p>
<p>SAT Score: 1770 (Reading: 600, Writing: 620, and Mathematics: 550)
SAT Subject scores: Spanish: 800, US History: 650, Biology: 620</p>
<p>I know, I have to retake SAT Reasoning Test. I will do so on October.</p>
<p>-Academics and Extracurriculars:</p>
<p>Freshman year:
4.0 GPA (unweighted)
Art Club, participation in the Los Angeles County Office of Education Student Art Exhibit
SRLA (marathon preparation club/program), and participation in the LA Marathon.</p>
<p>Sophomore year:
4.16 GPA (weighted) & 3.95 (unweighted)
2 AP Classes (AP World History and AP Biology. I got a 2 on the AP World and a 5 on the AP Bio)
SRLA, and participation in the LA Marathon.</p>
<p>Junior, current year:
4.3 GPA (weighted) & 4.0 GPA (unweighted)
2 AP Classes (AP US History and AP Spanish Language. I got a 3 on the APUSH and 5 on the AP Spanish)
Dance Club
Vice-president of International Club
Student Government and Yearbook Committee (these are related, in my school)</p>
<p>I am volunteering at the library, and have only done 30 hours. I plan to do around 100 hours. On my free time, I run, draw, research different points in history, and learn the Russian language.</p>
<p>-Miscellaneous:</p>
<p>Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Latin-American (Mexican-American, to be exact)
Income: < $30,000
First generation: Yes (I had no idea how to incorporate this)</p>
<p>As I have said, my extracurriculars and achievements are lackluster. My test scores just kill everything, especially those for the SAT. I can go on and blame it on the horrible teaching and lack of resources at my school, but that is not the way to go. Beside, it is not my teachers' fault. It is mine; I am just not a good test taker no matter how well I study or not.</p>
<p>I get discouraged when I see my history test scores. I love history, and to see the scores be that low just blows. Especially because I want to apply to the aforementioned schools as a history major, then execute my plans to be a language teacher overseas after I get a Master's degree.</p>
<p>My "resume" just tells me that a have next to no chance at the "higher tier" schools, but I would still like to know if I have even a slim chance. Wow, that sounded so desperate (but I am to a certain point). If by some miracle I get accepted to BU, UCB, UCLA, Macalester, or the state schools I'm applying to, do you think that they'd give me a good aid package?</p>
<p>Yes, I have asked this question before. I just have been presented with an entirely new situation, so I need help :3</p>