So, I got accepted into most of the schools I wanted to get into, however after talking to my mother, who is not from this country and knows as little about this whole process as I do, I realized that the amount of debt I would reach once I graduate is far too dangerous. I got accepted into SLC, Pratt, Syracuse, UCSD and got waitlisted at NYU Tisch and Berkeley, and planned to pursue a film/writing degree. However,the scholarships I received and the financial aid packages I received still wont cover most of the cost. I think I will have to end up in FIU which is my local state school because it comes at a basically free price even though they do not even offer what I wish to study…it just frustrates me that after so much work and applying and getting my hopes up that I ended up here. Would studying for two years and then transferring be a good idea? Is it possible to get accepted at SLC or NYU after two years at a state school? Should I consider a gap year? I’m just so confused and disappointed…
Much help would be appreciated…
You do not have any admission offers to low cost schools (perhaps other public schools in your state) that have your major?
No, I was being stupid when I applied to colleges, to be honest. Like I said, my family is not American, we had no idea how to go through this process and when I applied, I applied to schools tat were too pricey. The only school that comes to me at an incredibly low price is my local state school and that is for an English degree.
Realistically, your options are:
a. Start at a low cost college or community college with the goal of transferring to an affordable four year school to complete your degree in your desired major. However, if your have high stats, you may miss out on the merit scholarship opportunities that are more available for frosh than transfer students.
b. Stay out of school for the next year (work to earn a little money to help pay for school) and reapply to a new list designed for affordability but also with your major. This can include colleges whose net price calculators suggest affordability based on need-based financial aid, and colleges which will or may award sufficiently large merit scholarships to you. For the merit scholarship category, take a look at http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/ and http://competitivefulltuition.yolasite.com/ .
If your career goals are to write for film or television - I’d go to your local school that you can afford and get your degree in English. The ability to write is the most important skill. You can take screenwriting classes post-grad somewhere. get your degree and move to LA/NY and work your butt off.