<p>I am currently an undergraduate student (junior, almost senior 9 classes till graduating) at Georgia Institute of Technology. I'm Asian but grew up in Western society. My parents, however, are stereotypical Asian parents; forced piano, violin, Saturday school, etc on me. Long story short, we do not get along since they have a traditional collectivist mindset, where I have a western individualistic mindset. We got in an argument where they were telling me to go to a school in [Asian country], but Georgia Tech requires you to take your final 36 hours at Georgia Tech. Although it is clear that I cannot study abroad anymore, they insist I meet with a representative to bend the rules. I refused since 1. the obvious reason: I cannot, and 2. I personally do not want to waste 1/2~1 year when I could be graduating. They argued that since they are paying for my education, I must do whatever they tell me to do and if I do not, they will completely cut me off. This is not the first time they've made the threat. For the past 7 years, that's something they've been hanging over my head. This time, I just couldn't let them run me down and country my life. I am now cut off and my father has already attempted to cancel this semester's tuition check. </p>
<p>I do not regret my decision, but what would be the next good step for me to take? Georgia Tech is not a cheap school and I am paying out of state tuition ($14000 per semester). Would it be necessary to transfer? Would it be possible to talk to Georgia Tech for some aid? Any suggestions/thoughts are welcome.</p>
<p>If you were to transfer to a home-state public U, it could take you a full two years in order to complete their credit requirements to finish there.</p>
<p>If you were to transfer to a home-state public U, how would you pay for it? Can you come up with the Cost of Attendance (COA) on your own while studying? Would you need to study part-time and work full-time in order to finish your degree? How long might that take?</p>
<p>If you have this semester paid for at GA Tech, it may make sense to look around for a job, and cut back your courseload so that you can pay your own way while you finish up your degree. Make an appointment with the officer in charge of determining state residence, office, and find out if you could establish in-state residence by dropping out for 12 months while you work to raise the money for your last year of college.</p>
<p>Or, you could work out a deal with your parents to finish out this year/smester of school, then spend a semester/year abroad, and return to complete your last credits at GA Tech. Ask GA Tech just exactly what “last 36 credits” means. Often that doesn’t mean that you have to be physically present completing those 36 credits at one stretch with no interruptions. It can mean that the last 36 credits applied toward your degree have to be from GA Tech 6 could be now, followed by X at another institution that aren’t transferable, followed by 30 upon your return from that other place.</p>
<p>It looks to me like you are going to need about two calendar years to graduate anyway you cut it.</p>
<p>Wow that sounds very harsh dude…im sorry i cant input anything that can help with your situation, but lemme just say, i wish you the best of luck man.</p>
<p>What will it take to become a Georgia resident? If you are determined to make it at GT, then be prepared to go it along. That means get a job, not go to school until you get residency and finish up at a later day. Being cut-off financially from your parents will mean it will take longer to graduate but how you do that will make all the difference. </p>
<p>It’s not easy to get your residency changed once you’re already a student and you are under age 24.</p>
<p>Why not just send the emails asking for what your parents want? Then forward the negative answers to your parents so that they can see that you asked and were told “no.”</p>
<p>Thank you for all the input.
I am a permanent resident (Green Card; recently got it like a week or 2 ago), but I Just don’t know how in-state tuition would work since I don’t really have a “residency” in Georgia. I’ve been living in a fraternity house on campus for the past 2 years, and just started renting a house with a couple of other people. Since I don’t actually have property in Georgia, I think it’ll be hard for me to get in-state tuition any time soon, although there is a out of state tuition waiver application which I plan to fill out.</p>
<p>I know that sucking up my pride and just making a deal with my parents is the easiest and smartest thing to do, but I just don’t want to deal with them anymore. As childish as it seems, I have my reasons throughout my life dealing with them. </p>
<p>Anyways, I have a meeting with my advisor soon so hopefully she can help me out a bit.
I appreciate the help guys!</p>
<p>I am an asian parent, so I can understand your parents thoughts. </p>
<p>I know you will have difficult time to talk to your parents directly now, but what about go through some one who your parents respect to talk to them, such as an uncle or grand parents? Offer your parents a compromise, such as let you finish the schooling and work in Asia afterwards. I think there might be resolutions once the heat is off the stove.</p>
<p>“I just don’t want to deal with them anymore.” But you’re willing to take their money? I think you’re going to have to deal with them, and be respectful, too. You’re an adult now. You need to put your childhood behind you and move on. I think artloversplus’s suggestion is excellent.</p>
<p>I said I’m not willing to take their money…?
You’re treating this situation like they are level headed people…
I probably phrased it wrong making it sound like I’m just being childish, wanting it to be my way, being selfish, etc. That is not the case. I’ve thought about it, contemplated it, and it would just take too long to state my experience with my parents that I’ve had to deal with over the years. Not saying my life is the worst, but I strongly believe talking to them is not going to be an option.</p>
<p>Now that you have your green card, you can live and work anywhere in the US that you want to. You can separate yourself as completely from your family as you desire. However, this may also mean that you need to drop out of school, get a job, pay all of your own expenses, and then re-enroll when you can pay for it. When you meet with your advisor, find out about all of your options.</p>
<p>“You’re an adult now. You need to put your childhood behind you and move on. I think artloversplus’s suggestion is excellent.”</p>
<p>Indeed, he is an adult, and he deserves to have his parents treat him like one. His parents’ behaviour is utterly preposterous, irrational, and inexcusable. </p>
<p>To OP:
My advice to you is that you tell your parents that what they are demanding goes far beyond filial piety, and that until they are willing to treat you like an adult, you will not be seeking either their advice or their money. It’s going to be a very tough road ahead for you, but I don’t think you want to give your parents such great leverage over your life when they clearly are out of touch with reality and do not respect your ability to negotiate the obstacles of adulthood. </p>
<p>If I understand correctly, GT has a co-op programme. This will hopefully be a big advantage to you in finding work out of college. Other than that, do your best to surround yourself with good friends and good mentors.</p>
<p>*I know that sucking up my pride and just making a deal with my parents is the easiest and smartest thing to do, but I just don’t want to deal with them anymore. As childish as it seems, I have my reasons throughout my life dealing with them.
*</p>
<p>I think that even after you meet with your advisor you’re going to find out that you’ll have no options as to how you’d pay for GT as an OOS student.</p>
<p>yttcan I just answered a question somewhat similar to yours. You can join the military as a reservist and have them pay off all your student loans, receive a check for attending a monthly drill and a possible sign on bonus. check out the last thread I posted it’s a bit more informative, good luck:</p>