Please HELP. I don't think I can GO to school AT ALL. I'm trying to find a way out.

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hey guys. </p>

<p>I am a high school senior in South Florida. My parents and I immigrated to the country in 2000, applied for permanent residency in 2001, and our petition was approved in 2006, with a waiting list of 12-14 years. Nine years have gone by, and I am now 3 years from my green card. Meanwhile, I had to apply to schools as an "international applicant." Needless to say, it made it even more competitive for me and I was denied everywhere. </p>

<p>I consider myself a very good student. I am not perfect, nor am I a genius, but I worked really hard. I took 14 APs, became the first AP Scholar with Distinction in my school in several years and started my own independent research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. I led my class as president for two years straight. I got a 2100 on the SAT and a 31 on the ACT. I tutored the AP kids in my school so that they could pass the exams.</p>

<p>And I love to learn. My dream is to go to school and study the natural sciences. I am fascinated by medical research and politics, and am still unsure on what to pursue. </p>

<p>But I was denied everywhere. Now, I am looking into my local colleges, but because they are public, they can't give me any aid (because I am not a legal permanent resident yet, even though Im legally on the waiting list.) They can't offer me in-state tuition either because of the same reason. They are offering me only the out-of-state tuition which is a little over $200 per credit in the local community college. As each class if at least 3 credits, every class comes to about $700. </p>

<p>My parents wash cars for a living. We make about $13,000 a year. I can't pay for a class that's $700. </p>

<p>I was selected as a Quesbridge finalist on October. If I had gotten in anywhere I applied, it would've been a full ride. But the Questbridge thing didn't help the fact that I was still considered an International student, and that's where they put my applicantion, where the competition was even stronger than in the regular pool. </p>

<p>I now face my only option which is to take out a huge loan. But because my parents only make about $13,000 a year, and because neither of them have a SSN, and at the moment, not even a driver's license, I am afraid that no one will give us a loan. Especially a loan of $27,000 a year, which is twice what we make.</p>

<p>I can't get a job either because my green card doesn't come until 2012. I can't join the Army because of the same reasons. I don't know what to do. </p>

<p>There's a big, big, chance that I won't even get to go to school at all. Please give me any advice you can, maybe any information on any loans that could be available to me. </p>

<p>Thank you so much.</p>

<hr>

<p>P.S. I know a lot of you get angry at "illegal" students. Please know that my parents filed for legalization as soon as they could, but the waiting list is 12-14 years, we cannot help that. We just have to wait. Please also know that throughout all these years, they didn't get a work permit, or a social security number. But they did pay taxes even thouhg they got no benefits whatsoever from it. And of the little money that we make, we donate only to one organization: to the Disabled American Veterans. My brother, who is younger than me, will get his green card just in time to join the Army. We don't consider ourselves illegals; we tried and did everything we could to speed up this process and to live out life by the law.</p>

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<p>Can you work a job while taking a course or 2 at community college? Since you are planning on going into the sciences, it would be advisable for you to take math and/or science courses to keep up those skills. You could at least get some credits while awaiting your green card. </p>

<p>Sounds like you have an excellent work ethic, and are very smart, so this may be a method to help you go to college while preparing for better options after you get your green card.</p>

3

<p>Apparently not having a green card no longer prevents one, in some cases, from joining the military. New program offers place in the military and a fast track to citizenship:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/nyregion/02recruits.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=army&st=cse[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/nyregion/02recruits.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=army&st=cse&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Just be aware that if you take the military option, you’re very likely to be sent abroad quickly to fight in one of the wars.</p>

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<p>Hello. </p>

<p>Thank you for the responses. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, I cannot get a job until I get my green card. I could work, but it’d have to be under the table. And finding one sounds a lot easier than what it actually is. I have no idea where to start to look for one because of course there are no ads. </p>

<p>I also looked in the military option you guys posted. Unfortunately, it’s not available to me as you need a current Visa type and my Visa expired about 9 years ago. </p>

<p>Thank you for the advice. If you guys think of anything else, please let me know.</p>

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<p>You have excellent scores, and seem very responsible. Can you find private jobs tutoring or doing childcare? Often such jobs are under the table. Perhaps you could trade such work for the employer’s paying for you to take a class or 2 at community college. Perhaps, for instance, you could do this kind of work for a family from the time their kids get out of school until the parents get home from work. </p>

<p>Many parents have a hard time finding responsible childcare for their kids. Paying for you to take a couple of community college courses (which you could take mornings) would be cheaper than what many parents pay for a semester of daycare.</p>

<p>Even if you are a male, there are parents who’d hire you. Single mothers of sons may be particularly interested in hiring you. If you’re trading your services for their paying for your schooling, I don’t think you’d be breaking the law either. They also may be willing to pay for your health insurance.</p>

<p>Your GC may be able to help connect you with people who would be interested in your services.</p>

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<p>“my Visa expired about 9 years ago.”
Whoa! Wait a minute! Don’t you have to have a current, unexpired visa to be considered for a green card??? And if you have a current visa, you CAN get a job. So I think THIS is the current issue that needs to be resolved. There is NO rule that says you HAVE to go to college right out of HS. Your SAT scores will still be valid 3 years from now. Take some CC courses, and see if you can get part time work there as well.</p>

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<p>I am not up to the latest immigration rule, but years ago, while you wait for your green card, you can apply for working permit. This allows you to work even though you don’t have your green card yet. If you are able to do this, go apply for work at a college somewhere that you can get to that allows employee to take some courses for free or a very small fee. Take as many courses as possible the next a couple of years and then apply to a real university once you have the green card. You might loose a year or so but you will stay in busy as a student until you can attend a school full time and hopefully with a lot of scholarship. This might not be possible but it’s a thought.</p>

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<p>In most cases, yes. But I am under the protection of the 245-i law that came out in 2001. It’s basically a very small window (a few hundreds thousands of people) that allows me to stay in the country to await my green card, even after the expiration of my visa. It also allows me to process my entire naturalization process within the country, which means that once my priority date is reached (my application date), I get my green card immediately, even though I had no Visa for a while.</p>

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<p>There are reputable agencies that recruit au pairs world-wide to work in the US. One of them might be able to get you a work permit. I would think that you would be quite a desirable catch as an au pair; you speak/write English and are intelligent and well-educated. You’d be great at helping with homework, etc. As someone pointed out, you could arrange to take a couple of classes while working.
[Member</a> Directory](<a href=“http://www.iapa.org/Docs/02_organisation/Member_Directory.php4]Member”>http://www.iapa.org/Docs/02_organisation/Member_Directory.php4)</p>

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<p>OP,
I checked your back posts because I thought there might be info that would be useful as we tried to help you, and I found myself intrigued by one in which you said, “I don’t feel bad when I hear/see news relating to poor people/sick/tragedies in foreign countries. For example, everytime I see that commercial that says that 30,000 die daily of hunger and preventable diseases, my first thought is that this is actually very good to combat overpopulation. But so far in life, I stand alone in my views…”</p>

<p>I’m curious whether your current painful situation involving your college plans – and the fact that strangers here are trying to help you – is causing you to feel empathy for other people who are suffering even more misfortunes than you are. Perhaps, though, you would relate to a person who’d read about your situation and feel fine since your loss of college opportunities would mean good fortune for others.</p>

<p>So, has your current situation affected your perspective on others’ misfortunes?</p>

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<p>If you had been accepted at a private college, I take it the Questbridge organization would have paid all your expenses? But this is not available at a public college? Would gaining acceptance somewhere solve your problem? Can you expand your list and make some late applications? </p>

<p>I think the idea of finding a childcare position is a great one. There is always a demand for this.</p>

<p>I think it is a terrible shame that you are in this position. You have accomplished a great deal, and you would be an asset to any college.</p>

13

<p>You can also do your part to shake the INS tree (politely). I once called on behalf of a friend whose paperwork was stuck. It took me 88 tries to get a person on the line (I kept a log) but once I got through to a person, we were able to make some progress on the paper work hold up. See what you can do to nudge the green card along.
I would also encourage you to politely contact your US Representative and US Senators and the Florida Governor’s office. They may have a staff member who can help a strong student navigate the needed paperwork to get a waiver on the instate tuition problem. Having low income parents who are legal should make some avenues available. There are people who care and who can open doors-- but you have to do the legwork to make your situation known (and you have to be the “real deal” – if you misrepresent your situation , there won’t be real help). Now is the time for you to become the expert on all things related to students and immigration. </p>

<p>Ask your high school counselor for advice. Find other international students and learn what they have done. Also make an appointment with the admissions office of a smaller, private college in your area – with your AP’s and hard work, you are an impressive candidate. You only need one open door – go find it! You do that by making your face and your story known to as many as possible.<br>
good luck!</p>

14

<p>Have you considered going to school in the country in which you still have residency status until you’re able to obtain your green card? I’m not sure about the standards and regulations but you should also check if you’re able to get a visa, at least, so you can start working.</p>

<p>There is always the option of doing under the table jobs. I have a friend that has an expired visa and he somehow had the connections to obtain a job illegally and gets paid decently. A lot of restaurants, typically foreign foods, will hire without a visa.</p>

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<p>I think you might find it worthwhile to check craigslist for childcare jobs. There is probably someone looking for a summer nanny or “manny” expecially someone who could do some tutoring. You could probably even place your own position wanted ad.</p>

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<p>It certainly sounds as if you have accomplished a lot with your education. Your stats are very impressive, especially with all of the obstacles placed in your path.
Have you ever tried to contact and immigration lawyer, perhaps one that might work on your behalf, pro-bono ? Sometimes, speaking to someone who knows the ins and outs in the immigration system from a legal standpoint can move things along faster for you than an over worked government agency employee.
You are articulate, determined and very bright.
I would be careful about taking advice about working illegally.</p>

17

<p>Have you talked to a military recruiter, maybe they can help speed things along. If not, go to CC for 3 years and get your undergrad done. You can do volunteer work which will look good on any college app.</p>

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<p>All of the above is excellent advice. From someone who just got her green card six months ago, under time-limited circumstances (I got it a month before my junior year PSAT, so I could qualify for NMF): Write to your state senators with the specifics of your situation. I was lucky in that my priority date had already come and PASSED, with no news; but even if your senator can’t speed your application, he/she might be able to persuade a state school to offer you in-state tuition or something like that.</p>

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<p>If you’re female, you could also apply to top women’s colleges after getting your green card (because I’m pessimistic, I estimate 4 years)–often by then you will qualify for their adult-women programs, which offer generous financial aid and social support.</p>

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<p>This is very sad. I feel that our country needs people like you. This is a flaw in our system and is not your fault. I’m surprised none of the Questbridge schools admitted you. You are very impressive. You may be able to try again next year. </p>

<p>In the meantime, DON’T GIVE UP. Do well on your AP’s, they are bankable college credits. Worst case, 3 years is not that long in the scheme of things. There have been posts by undocumented kids on here who are in complete limbo with no hope of obtaining legal status living in fear of getting shipped back somewhere where they never remember ever being. You’ve had a rough start, but at least you have a clear path ahead to a full and rewarding career in the United States. Don’t do anything illegal to jeopardize your status.</p>

<p>You will have 14 APs and that’s a lot of credit! You are clearly motivated and talented. There is a lot that you can learn in 3 years that won’t cost you that much if you have a library card, a computer and access to an internet connection. See if you can do a 5th year of high school if there are anything there left to learn. You can still take AP exams if you pay for them even if you are not in school. You can also take CLEP exams. These are a great investment. </p>

<p>I would make a plan to get as much bankable credit as possible so that when you eventually do enter college, you have about two years worth of credit and a lot of solid education. Then, once you have a green card, you can focus on your major and graduate in two years. That’s a lot less money to borrow. As long as you don’t matriculate at another college, you could also apply as a freshman and perhaps get generous financial aid. Go to the best college that will give you the credit that you deserve, so that you have the best chance to make the most of those two years. This way you minimize the amount of time you wasted by not having the green card. </p>

<p>Use MIT Open courseware (ocw.mit.edu) and study guides. </p>

<p>Self study AP Physics C Mechanics using 8.01
Self study AP Physic C E&M using 8.02
Self study AP CalculusBC using 18.01
Study AP Statistics through [ALEKS</a> – Assessment and Learning, K-12, Higher Education, Automated Tutor, Math](<a href=“http://www.aleks.com%5DALEKS”>http://www.aleks.com) for about $20/month.
Study AP Bio on your own if your IB score is not high enough to get you credit.
Self-study AP Psychology by reading the book.
Learn to program. There are many sites that teach this. Take the AP Computer Science exam if you have a way to prepare for it. </p>

<p>Self-study accounting using [ALEKS</a> – Assessment and Learning, K-12, Higher Education, Automated Tutor, Math](<a href=“http://www.aleks.com%5DALEKS”>http://www.aleks.com) and study for the CLEP exam. This is probably something that anyone who wants to run a business someday needs to know. </p>

<p>There are a bunch of other CLEP exams that you can study for.
Learn another foreign language that is not your native language, like French. There are CLEP exams for several levels of French, and many resources at the library. Some colleges require that you achieve proficiency in a foreign language that is not your native tongue. </p>

<p>Borrow the books from your school, or the library, or buy them on Ebay or craigslist used. Don’t pay full price. Read like crazy just to learn stuff. </p>

<p>Find a decent college that doesn’t cap the number of transferable credits so that if you did have to wait until your status is resolved, you’d only need to borrow money for two years. Many schools have minimum number of credits that you must take on their campus, but don’t actually cap the number of credits that you can earn through AP, IB and CLEP. I think Wisconsin, SUNYs and UMASS are some examples. You could also apply to very competitive colleges as a Freshman and hope for a full ride once you are domestic, but you’ll probably have to spend 3 years and in some cases 4 years at these schools. In 3 years, you’ll be much older than the other Freshman and it may not be the experience that you want. </p>

<p>Volunteer to tutor in Chemistry, math and other subjects that you will need to remember for your actual major when you get to college. It’s easy to forget material after a while. Tutor someone from Haiti in math and science in exchange for and having them work with you in French. </p>

<p>You’re very impressive. Don’t give up, and don’t stop learning.</p>