<p>Well, your mom may be wrong about whether you can get scholarship money to other colleges. So if I were you, I would investigate other colleges that might be a better fit for you, especially smaller schools. But make sure they offer merit aid before you bother to apply, and that your statistics (test scores and GPA) are in the top 25% percentile for the college. If you are also a URM (I am wondering if you are, since you have this sweet deal from OSU already lined up), that will help as well. Your family may soften up if you actually get acceptances and scholarship offers that are comparable.</p>
<p>Also, I think you do not need a college that has a specialized major in database administration to work in that field. A basic computer science program with a couple of database administration classes, and some internship experience using databases is probably enough. Don’t limit yourself too much because of that.</p>
<p>All that said, I am also going to give what is probably some traditional parent advice. DO NOT have your boyfriend follow you to college. DO go live in a dorm someplace. You will grow so much from this, I guarantee it. A boyfriend who would move off to another state with a 17 year old when they go off to college may not have big enough dreams of his own. Just saying… You sound like you have a lot of potential, and you really need to spread your wings on your own for a period of time to realize it.</p>