<p>d) odds in your favor</p>
<p>f) yes, there is. Some schools have different policies regarding divorced parents, for example. In addition, if your father’s savings are in his retirement fund, they don’t count the same way as if they’re in his savings account. If his savings are not in his retirement account, might he be willing to transfer some onto it, for your sake? The formula depends on schools and a non custodial parent who is not willing/able to pay is taken into account. however, if your mother has a long-term partner now, s/he would have to contribute part of his/her salary, and if s/he doesn’t want to, that’s another issue.
Try running the NPC without your dad’s income to see where it makes a difference and email the financial aid office (NOT admissions because admission officer usually don’t know financial details and will respond with “don’t worry we have plenty of aid”) Typically however the top schools - and based on what you’ve said, you’d have a decent shot at them - tend to be the most generous when they calculate your costs.
In short, being admitted to MIT or Stanford may turn out to be a cheaper option than Ohio State because their way of calculating your “ability to pay” may not be the same.
(Harvey Mudd is also especially good with gifted women scientists).</p>
<p>c) what college math courses have you already taken, specifically? Multivariable calc? Linear Algebra? This would help re: class sizes. PM UCBAlumnus with the precise list of classes you’ve taken and will be taking this Fall; he’d be able to direct you immediately to schools that fit your profile.
What other “gen ed” type classes/AP classes have you taken? Typically, 3rd year classes are much smaller.</p>
<p>Email math departments at schools you’re interested in with the list of math classes you’ve taken (and the grade you got), then ask what program you’d be likely to follow at their school. In short, try to get an idea of their most challenging classes.
Look into New College Florida and other separate Public Honors Colleges - but I think your best shot is top private research universities , perhaps in areas of the country with fewer applications from Ohio (Emory? Vanderbilt?) as well as liberal arts college that have an especially strong program in math. LACs would love to have you (based on your profile) and some may offer merit aid - but first you need to see if they’ll fit your math needs.</p>
<p>Grad school is not based on your parents’ income, only on your own results. In math, it’s rare that good students would be admitted without a TAship or a fellowship or both. SO I’m not sure why you’re giving up on the idea of going to grad school. If you go to grad school, it’s true that where you did your undergrad does not matter. Even if where you went as an undergrad does not matter too much (good students always find a way to distinguish themselves), if you don’t want a large state school, then there’s no harm in applying to a few universities that “fit” you better.</p>