<p>@dustypig yes and I appreciate your advice. And I’m sorry if I sound harsh but I refuse to accept someone telling me that I can’t do something. </p>
<p>My parents don’t share finances with me so I have no way of knowing whether I’ll be able to afford any college that does accept me. That’s why I haven’t been able to answer that question.</p>
<p>You really need to take some ownership of the financial situation and talk with your parents. Getting a straight answer from them will help you have an idea of what is possible and what isn’t. Since they are divorced, you may need to talk to them separately. Ask them how much they will be able to contribute each year so you have an idea of what might make sense. </p>
<p>The net price calculators on each college financial aid website page can be useful, but your parents will probably have to run them separately and add the results together to get an idea of your cost of attendance. That is if you are applying to schools that require the CSS profile and non-custodial parent form (many colleges use these forms).</p>
<p>Also, you should make sure you understand all the deadlines for the financial aid forms for the colleges you are applying to, and make sure your parents meet those dates. They also need to get on doing taxes asap after year end. This is not the year to dawdle until April or get an extension, they need to get them done and get them to their colleges by the deadlines specified.</p>
<p>^I agree. You’re not going anywhere until you know how much money your parents can afford.</p>
<p>As for the SAT: you feel you won’t do better, okay. But try. What’s the worst that will happen, that you won’t get a better score? That will not make a difference since your score is very low already.
On the other hand, odds are very high your score will actually improve, especially if you’re as determined as you say to study at a sleep-away college and prepare for the test by reviewing (use Khan academy, sparksnotes).
So, there’s nothing to lose and no risk at all, all gain.
With a better score, you increase your odds of being admitted to a 4-year college.
People listed about 20 of them on your chance thread. Investigate them. Look and see which ones you like best.
If your dad’s in Florida, you could also live with him for a year, work and establish residency, and then you’d qualify for in-state tuition at the Florida publics. With just a little bit more on your SAT, you’d qualify for at least 3 different public universities in Florida, and a couple private ones.</p>
<p>Mishek has the right attitude.</p>
<p>You are having a bad day and ranting against everything. It’s ok. It happens. But after you get over that, you need to make some rational and clear-eyed decisions, after doing some research. </p>
<p>You don’t go to college to get away from home. You take you wherever you go. You go to obtain an education, and that must be the focal point, not all the rest. </p>