<p>Whether Mom and Dad want to pay their share, how much they are willing to pay, is someting you must clarify with them, ASAP. Many kids are visiting schools now and over summer. The financial openness will allow you and the sibs to target the right places. This should be done now. Learn about Fafsa and CSS Profile. (And, it’s not just income that determines aid- it’s assets, too.)</p>
<p>But, you have to find target schools. It’s not enough to ask on CC. Whether or not you have done some other research, you haven’t said anything yet that reflects that. Go get a Fiske or PR to see the wide range of colleges, to start to narrow down. Dig into the colleges’ websites, look at their freshman profile, see if you are in the top 25% or outside it. Find safeties you can love- and afford, after talking with Mom and Dad. See which schools would offer merit aid for 3.5 or 2000. </p>
<p>Many good colleges want bright, motivated compassionate, activated 3.5/2000 kids- and many will give URMs an extra look. But, you need to have some research behind you to id those schools. Then, dig deeper to learn their admissions realities and aid policies. Run their NPCs to get an idea of what their aid “might” be. Rinse and repeat. When you see you can’t match WUSTL or aid is crappy at BU, start over.</p>
<p>This is how you empower yourself. The faster you do all this, the sooner you can get back on CC for insider or side info about a few schools. You’ve been asking for advice, pretty much the same question, for nearly two years. Now is crunch time.</p>
<p>You have everythng to gain from all this and nothing to lose. If this work sounds like a lot, it’s only the short version. Good luck, but get started.</p>