My parents EFC is pretty low ( 1103 ) and they can’t afford to send me and my sister to an expensive college right now. We can’t made a decision as to where I am going but I believe its gonna be Keene State College ( I got a full ride ). The only issue is I want to major in Computer Science and Keene State doesn’t really have a good program for it. So what I’m considering Is possibly transferring to higher prestigious schools that meet 100% of financial need or one that I could get some good scholarships. My GPA and EC are good but test scores are on the low end ( 1620SAT/24ACT ). I was going through a lot when I took the tests and couldn’t stay focused and I am sure I can get 2200+ and 30+ ( I’ve been scoring consistently on their practice tests around these ranges 
). Any Ideas?
I can’t really do Community college this year to. My parents are planning on moving to Massachusetts around the time I will be in college then the following year moving to Brazil and I really do not want to miss more of school ( I’m already in a gap year ).
I’m not sure that colleges will look at SAT scores once you start college–SAT is intended for HS students. Check that out. Aren’t you going to retake during your gap year?
There are only about 60 colleges that meet full need. Of those only partial will need need for transfers. The odds aren’t good.
You might be better off with your full ride. You can do things to make yourself stronger through electives and using online resources.
I wish. I’m in Brazil right now until august!
What are those partial though?
(1) Prestige doesn’t matter at all for CS - what potential employers are looking for are skills, not fancy diplomas.
(2) Yes, you’d need SAT/ACT scores to transfer, but you can retake the test - you’re not stuck with your scores from high school!
(3) What BrownParent was saying i that of the already very few colleges that meet full need (and are need blind in admissions), even fewer make the same guarantee for transfers. With a strong GPA, good test scores, and a really solid reason for transferring, it wouldn’t be impossible . . . just not a sure thing.
My advice? Take the full ride at Keene State and don’t look back! You don’t need the best CS program on the planet - just one good professor who’s willing to mentor you. And, failing that, you just make the best of it on your own. And Keene State is a pretty wonderful, small state college!
I just looked up Keene State on RateMyProfessors, and the overwhelming majority of prof’s in the CS department have excellent reviews - better than at my son’s school! 
They’re going to be focused on teaching, and you’ll get lots of personal attention, which is really the best situation you could be in.
You say you have a full ride to Keene State? Will this still be a full ride once your parents relocate? On other words…will you still be considered an instate student?
Is this full ride a merit award? And again…will it still be a full ride if you are not considered a NH instate resident?
What full ride scholarship did you receive from Keene?
I think I would check those things as well.
You say you are currently in Brazil? Where is your state of residence here?
Yes I am in state. They gave me a lot of different scholarships and the rest was filled in with FSEOG and a pell grant. and a work study. I thought my parents moving wouldn’t consider me an OOS…
Pretty sure that residency is determined when you start. If parents move later, that shouldn’t make a difference.
Ricky. This sounds like a great offer.
@dodgersmom, re: your second point in post #5, what schools have you heard that allow a college student to retake the SAT? I’ve read that schools won’t consider a new score from college (though they will for gap years and prep schools). It also doesn’t make sense to me that they would take a test designed for HS students taken in college. Just trying to have definite info. Thanks
Erin’s Dad - I could be mistaken then . . . I was thinking about gap year students.
I will be in college when they move. So I would technically be a college student.
@Erin’s dad I did not know that. So does that basically mean I am stuck with these scores if I do not take them during my Gap year…
I agree with Erin’s dad. The SAT is designed to be taken by students who have not yet enrolled in college…it is not for students who are already IN college.
So…yes…I believe you need to take the SAT again during your gap year.
But…if you stay at Keene for two full years, there are colleges that will look only at your college record, and not your SAT scores or HS GPA.
But really…what is wrong with getting your bachelors…at no cost to you…at Keene?
The same reason everyone is going to college these days - to get a job. Whats a free ride through keene if it means I won’t land a job I want compared to investing money money in a degree I will actually be able to work in. Thanks for the posts guys! I really appreciate it
Ricky, I live in an area where lots of kids choose Keene State as their college. In my DD’s class, there were at least 10 kids who went there (class was about 180 students). All of these students are employed, and they are all employed in their college degree area (which isn’t always the way it is).
You make it sound like you will be unemployed if you get your bachelors degree from Keene. I’m sorry, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
@RickyP - Please read this recent New York Times article:
[How to Survive the College Admissions Madness](Opinion | How to Survive the College Admissions Madness - The New York Times)
The author, Frank Bruni, states that he looked up the colleges attended by the chief executives of the top 10 corporations in the Fortune 500. This is the list he came up with: University of Arkansas; University of Texas; University of California, Davis; University of Nebraska; Auburn; Texas A & M; Kettering; University of Kansas; University of Missouri, St. Louis; and Dartmouth College. Only one Ivy in the bunch, and most of the rest are state schools.
Really, name doesn’t matter. It’s your performance that counts.
And, of course, if you’re not burdened by debt, you can take any job you need to after you graduate in order to achieve your goals. A massive debt burden reduces your options considerably.
Im sorry thumper. Im just really concern is all. I am sure I will be fine. Thanks for the post 