<p>My parents and I immigrated to the US from Eritrea when I was about 1 1/2 years old, and I've lived in the same city for my entire life since then. The only problem is that I recently (as in about a year) found out that I'm not a legal US resident. Apparently, my parents and I overstayed our diplomatic visas when I was younger, and I found out when I was trying to get documentation for a learner's permit. </p>
<p>I've lived here all my life and I definitely plan on going to college this year. Is this going to kill me in the admissions process? Is college still possible? I've worked so hard the past few years and I don't want it to be for nothing.</p>
<p>Here are my stats:
SAT: 740 CR 710 M 800 W
AP: World Hist - 5, Psych - 5, US History - 5, Eng Lit - 4
Pending/Current: Stat, Spanish, Environmental Science, American Gov, English
GPA: 4.17 W 3.95 UW
Rank: Top 2% 14/600</p>
<p>I have a pretty decent list of ECs and I tend to be strong in writing so I'm sure my essays will be fine. I'm just wondering if there's anywhere that will actually accept me because of this. I've heard some schools are open in these situations, but they tend to be the really prestigious colleges, where I probably don't have a chance. Does anyone else know any schools?</p>
<p>Another problem is financial aid. I know I won't be eligible for FAFSA, but my parents are poor and I can't go anywhere without getting a decent financial aid package. Any help is appreciated! Thanks</p>
<p>I’ve never even researched this situation, but I’m pretty sure that if you’re applying from within the United States you have to be a U.S. citizen.</p>
<p>I don’t know of any schools, but maybe someone else does. In the mean time, see what you can do to fix you citizenship status problem. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks! The only reason I’m still kinda hopeful is that I always hear about students like this who end up going to college somehow… I’m thinking about hiring a lawyer to help me figure this out, but of course, that will be super pricey. </p>
<p>If this weren’t an issue, though, what types of schools would I have a shot at? I think I might be considered an international. Maybe I can talk to the admissions councils directly and ask for advice.</p>
<p>These are schools I’m thinking about:
UChicago
Georgetown
Amherst
UVA (I live in VA)
William and Mary
Bryn Mawr
Virginia Tech
Dartmouth</p>
<p>UChicago - Reach
Georgetown - Low Reach
Amherst - Reach
UVA (I live in VA) - High match/Low reach
Virginia Tech - Match
Dartmouth - Low reach/reach</p>
<p>Out of those that I listed, I feel like you would possibly get into VT, UVA, and then maybe one of the other schools. You picked some pretty difficult schools, so you got some reaches. Don’t let that discourage you, though. I’m sure you have a decent shot at all of those colleges.</p>
<p>And yes, try contacting admissions at one of the universities and ask them for advice. Or if you have a guidance counselor, ask them.</p>
<p>Chance me back, please 
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1408706-chance-me-princeton-cornell-ucs-carnegie-more.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1408706-chance-me-princeton-cornell-ucs-carnegie-more.html</a></p>
<p>Hi collegebound 8899- here in Texas undocumented students CAN go to state colleges/universities and pay in resident tuition. Find out from your state what are the parameters. Of course, private colleges will each have their own policies but there are a number where merit aid and institutional financial need is still met. High school counselors here in Austin TX are well versed in these situations but I don’t know the level of expertise for your area. Also, have you applied for the DACA? Here in my area families are getting their children’s paperwork in order to file soon. Please do not give up. I have a link that I sent another student with state by state resources so look up my posts. You may want to check the Hispanic Students thread as a lot of these kids came to US with no choice and must now figure out what to do for their future.</p>
<p>I’m in the process of it (DACA), but do you think it’s worth it? Will it be risky to have USCIS have all my and my family’s info, especially since the upcoming election could threaten it? I really hate the fact that my parents put me in this situation, but does anyone know of any colleges that would still accept me? I think I’ll have to apply as an international student, but I’m not sure.</p>