<p>OP, I don’t think the issue here is where you can find an affordable school. Not yet anyway. I think the bigger issue is figuring out what you can do to repair the very damaged relationship you have with your father. I don’t know why he’s decided that your education is not a good investment, but you need to change his mind about that.</p>
<p>How? Start with acknowledging that you screwed up with a ‘lack of focus’ (was that all it was? be honest with yourself and him) and that it won’t happen again. See if you can get him to set some parameters around his agreement to provide support to you: Perhaps he would be willing to take a chance on paying your first semester at one of the schools you initially expressed interest in if you agree, perhaps in writing, to maintain a specific GPA and that there will be no violations for drinking, etc…It might also include a commitment to work and pay some part of the cost yourself. Have a clear plan in place for what you expect to accomplish in college and why the schools you have chosen are the right ones for that. Be clear with him that you understand the consequences of failing to meet your part of the deal.</p>
<p>If, after approaching him in an adult way, he still isn’t convinced, try asking what he’d like to see from you to convince himself that helping you with college isn’t a waste of money. He may be willing, for example, to support you if you attend a local college for a year at your own expense, make good grades and then transfer.</p>
<p>In the long run, a mature relationship with your father is much more important than what school you attend.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I completely agree. I think the OP needs to repair damage with his dad and come up with some kind of agreement.</p>
<p>From the OP’s past posts, it seems that he really messed up last year (maybe not only academically, but maybe also some other serious issues), and BOTH parents were very upset with him. It sounds like he’s repaired his relationship with his mom by doing well this year and turning over a new leaf. :applause:</p>
<p>However, he lives with his mom and only sees his dad a couple times a month. I think that is an underlying factor. It’s easier for a parent who lives with a child to change their way of thinking. It’s harder for a parent who rarely sees a child to have a “new image” and believe that the child is now doing the right things.</p>
<p>I think the student needs to be proactive about scheduling more time with dad. Let dad see the “new and improved kid” up close and personal. During those times, the student can highlight academic achievements in a natural way and the dad can see that his child is on the right track and deserving of a second chance. If the child can spend more time with dad…spending weekends and such…and behave very responsibly…chores/clean-up/being helpful, etc…the dad will reform his image of his son.</p>
<p>Perhaps while spending time with his dad, they can discuss possible career paths for this child. This could give the dad something to “buy into” with his money.</p>
<p>The dad is a physician, so one can almost assume that academics are super important to him.</p>
<p>To the OP,</p>
<p>I grew up in a moderately ‘soul crushing’ type of town and had 60 kids in my graduating class. About 1/3 went to college, 1/3 to the military or took jobs, and about 1/3 ended up doing jail/prison time. College will be different, even in a rural, ‘soul crunching’ type of town. Don’t dismiss schools in these small towns. </p>
<p>Ohio U is a great option.</p>
<p>Also, check out Truman State in Missouri. The town where it is located is ‘soul crushing’ but the students are not. They are very bright and progressive. The avg ACT score is 27.5.</p>
<p>It will provide the academic rigor that you might like. With scholarships, the cost will be around $18,000 per year.</p>