I am a minority who comes from a poor family. We were middle class and I still remember when my parents made above $100,000 it was nice and comfy tbh, mom was actually planning to send me to sat prep class until i told her to wait until sophomore yr. Sadly, my mom got cancer and is on dialysis, our current income is $30,000. I would’t dare ask my parents to pay 4 test prep classes. They can barely pay for the prep books and I have to self - study 4 everything. Thank god I have a 1400 on the psat. If ur parents pay 4 test prep classes and college advisors ur rlly lucky no seriously dont take it 4 granted colleges look at us the same even though u got to have people who got 2400s train u. UR LUCKY. have fun in ur pre- college classes at harvard while I have to stay at home, work, volunteer, take care of my mom, and perfect my SAT scores. Thats just how life works. if ur parents make >$200,000 PLEASE dont apply 4 financial aid i need it more than u do. Affirmative action is rlly unfair to caucasians and asians, so is the fact that they have parents to pay 4 tests prep. My parents are immigrants who never went to college. my sob story dont pity me. help me pay 4 that sat math book.
What about me who’s an African American from a low income family background but self studied for 2 AP’s ad got all 5’s. It’s not fair for me either because my parents can’t afford to pay for tutors and I’ll be taking the SAT next year and I’m not sure what i’ll do but hang in there! :-S
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat has free SAT prep. It’s what you make of it. Khan Academy’s videos on filling out the Common Application were very helpful for my son. You can probably check SAT prep books out from the public library too.
After you have some test scores you should ask for advice on here on what colleges might give you generous merit or financial aid.
Sorry your mother is sick. Good luck.