<p>“My parents are forcing me to apply to UT Knoxville, despite the fact that I consider GA Tech a safety.”</p>
<p>You are a WV state resident, where is the WV financial safety school on your list? How much cheaper is UT Knoxville than GA Tech? Your parents may consider it a financial safety.</p>
<p>Sit your parents down. Run the FAFSA and CSS Profile calculators at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>How Much Will College Cost – BigFuture | College Board) and at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) Ask your parents just exactly how much money they will be able to contribute toward your education, how much debt they are willing for you to take on, and how much money they expect you to be earning during the school year and summer vacations. Be prepared for tears, but push yourself (and them) to be absolutely, brutally honest about the money situation. Until you know the truth about this, any college list is fantasy (even for a NMSQT finalist).</p>