<p>When it comes to college I'm feeling a little depressed right now. My family doesn't make near the amount needed to pay for school and I don't want to rack up too much debt. I know a bunch of schools I can get into, but how am I going to pay for them? My sat score is a 1670 (as of right now a 1090 reading/math) but my GPA is a high 3.9 not weighted and 4.0 weighted. I feel like all the hard work I've done my whole high school career and all the challenging classes I've taken are worthless. Scholarships require a 3.0 gpa which I exceed, but at the same time they have a much higher sat score requirement. This 4 hour test is beginning to out do 4 years of my life. I'm looking at out of state schools like the University of Maine, Quinnipiac, Suffolk university, etc. I'd go to an instate school (New Jersey), but I'd like to get out of state and experience some new things. Am I going to community college or is there hope? By the way I'm looking to Major in political science/ minor in history.</p>
<p>Try the ACT. It may suit you better.</p>
<p>You still have lots of hope! Apply for the FAFSA, you should be able to get money from Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. Also, you may be able to get state grants/loans by filling out the FAFSA, I think. Government loans are the best because they have low interest rates, and plus u have the potential to get grants, which you don’t need to pay back. One of the best things you can do is work. Work part time during college, full time during the summer. I know people who scrimped their way to college by working and buying second hand textbooks and not relying on expensive meal plans, and graduated practically deb free. I understand why you want to experience new things, but you can experience new things if you get your masters! In-state schools give you preference and cheaper tuition fees. But in the end it’s your choice. Hope everything works out for you! Good luck!</p>
<p>also don’t forget to look at scholarships that may fit you…there are a lot of obscure scholarships that go unclaimed every year</p>
<p>Welcome to the real world. Money is money. The romantic notion of exploring the world at this point in time will not just deplete you resources and your family’s resources. If I were you, I would play it conservatively and stick with state schools. You seem like a smart kid who is diligent in his studies. Keep it that way. Be the best in whatever you do, wherever you are, whether it be in a community college or in an Ivy league school. </p>
<p>Depression hurts. I broke into tears when I received my SAT score (1660 (600 lit + 590 math), but you know what I did Senior year? I did not win Valedictorian, but I was the only person this year (and so far I believe) to place in regional finals in Science Olympiad and get a silver medal in Academic Decathlon. I did not give on my studies, even when I knew my folks would not be able to pay for me to attend University of the Pacific (30k school). To play it safe, I am now enrolled in Sac State where I plan to play it smart with my finances and class decisions. I will not be able to take some classes I want to take due to extra costs, but that is the real world.</p>
<p>Have you looked at any test-optional schools??? There are lots of them!
[SAT/ACT</a> Optional 4-Year Universities | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]SAT/ACT”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>
<p>That’s what I like to here. Someone who tells it how it is.</p>