<p>Money is not the obstacle. Having the right attitude is definately a big helper. Top HS students are getting full rides/full tuitions (including Ivy schools, for sure in-state). SAT/ACT prep classes do not do much. Can get used book for free / cheap from friends / garage sale / internet. Do not even need to spent a lot of time preparing if you consistently doing homework at school and get A’s. Volunteering is definately free and can give you additional advantage. The same any job experience. A lot of jobs pay your college tuition also. Feeling that coming from other country is an obstacle is not going to help either. It was so many years ago anyway. Using any challenges as excuses not to do something is not going to help. If you want to go to college, there a way. From personal experience after obtaining 3 college degrees paying no tuition, taking graduate school admission test without any preparation working full time… and also coming from different country without any knowledge of English.</p>