<p>I've taken, and will be taking the following APs through my high school career. Half of them I've already taken and passed (Mostly 5's, one 4, so I assume that I can at least get 3's on the rest)</p>
<p>Biology
English Language
English Literature
Human Geography
Psychology
European History
U.S. History
World History
U.S. Government
Micro and Macroeconomics
AB Calc</p>
<p>I've looked through several colleges and these have filled up quite a bit of the general ed requirements. Would it make much sense to go to community college if I already have a lot of general ed requirements anyway? I really don't want to take these classes again. </p>
<p>I've always really really really wanted to go to a large out of state university somewhere far away from home, but with the rising costs, it's starting to become less and less realistic. Everyone's telling me that I should just go to community college for the first 2 years. </p>
<p>I can't stand the thought of living with my parents for two more years, but neither can I stand the thought of living in debt for the rest of my life. I really don't know what to do anymore. I feel like there aren't really any good options left.</p>
<p>Intended or possible major? Cost limitations? High school GPA and test scores?</p>
<p>Community college is somewhat less suitable for a more advanced student who will want to take upper division courses early, or if the community college’s lower division offerings do not cover all of the prerequisites for the intended major. The more advanced student may have the option of graduating a semester or two early to save costs (whether or not s/he starts at community college or directly at a four year school).</p>
<p>However, some students do attend community college, transfer to state universities, and later go on to top PhD programs in their major, so it is not necessarily a bad option.</p>
<p>While most out of state public universities do not give much need aid, some (e.g. Alabama) offer large merit scholarships if your stats are high enough, and some others have competitive large merit scholarships.</p>
<p>I was thinking of politics related major. I’m still overall very undecided. I have a strong dislike towards math and science, which I know will make my life extremely difficult as well. </p>
<p>GPA: 4.18 W, 3.84 UW
SAT: 1890
ACT: 30
(Both of these scores are first-time scores so they will definitely rise)</p>
<p>Are there any colleges out there that would award significant merit scholarships for stats like these…?</p>
<p>With an ACT 30 and your GPA, there are some schools that would give you substantial scholarships. If you were to get that to an ACT 32 or SAT equivalent, you’d have opportunities for larger scholarships.</p>
<p>So, practice for these exams and sign up for the Sept/Oct/Nov exams.</p>
<p>The problem with transferring from a CC is that merit scholarships and FA are much less for transfers.</p>
<p>How much will your family pay each year for college?</p>
<p>The financial situation is very uncertain at the moment. My parents are in the process of finding new jobs, and I really don’t know how everything will turn out in the next coming months.</p>
<p>Talk to your parents about how much they can pay…at least a minimum. Are they currently unemployed? or are they simply looking for new/better jobs? If they are looking for better jobs, then ask how much they could pay if they remained at their present jobs.</p>
<p>If they are unemployed and will not likely be able to contribute much even if they find employment, then assume that they won’t be contributing anything and proceed from there.</p>
<p>In the meantime, work on getting higher test scores and sign up for fall exams.</p>
<p>Alright. At what minimum should I consider a 4-year University education as economically out of my reach?</p>
<p>Another possibility is to find a four year college that will accept your AP scores for credit. It’s not as easy as it used to be but it’s till possible. Then you might be looking at only three years of tuition instead of four. Definitely look into scholarships based on your scores and gpa. And if you’re parents are unemployed, chances are you should qualify for financial aid at least your first year.</p>
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<p>You’ll need to know what your parents can contribute and compare that with the results of the net price calculators at the various four year schools you look into.</p>
<p>You can also look here for large scholarships for your stats:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html</a>
(But higher test scores will get you more possibilities.)</p>
<p>Yes, as noted above, your large amount of AP credit may help you graduate a semester or few early to save cost.</p>
<p>Wow zebra you sound like a really smart student. The private universities seem to give more money than a state school but apply to a few and see what they offer. If you are involved in extra-curriculars as well, that will make you even more desired. You have worked too hard to go to a community college. Hopefully your high school counselor can steer you to what some colleges are offering so communicate with him/her. Btw, sounds like an International Relations Major would be a good fit for you. Most if not all will give credit for 4’s and 5’s in AP classes. There is so much information out there, keep digging. Good Luck and keep working hard.</p>
<p>*Alright. At what minimum should I consider a 4-year University education as economically out of my reach?
*</p>
<p>We don’t have enough info to make such a determination. We don’t know how much your family will pay, and we don’t know how much aid (if any) that you would qualify for. More to the point, since some schools give better aid than others, there isn’t some number that we can say, “oh, you can’t afford a $40k+ school.” Just on merit alone at some schools, you could bring cost down to about $20k per year or less. </p>
<p>Are your parents out of work? or are they employed, but just looking for better jobs??</p>
<p>They have been recently laid off, but will be paid until the end of the year. I’m a rising senior so that’s when I’ll be applying.</p>
<p>What state are you in? </p>
<p>I can see that if their employment status is uncertain that they can’t really give an estimate about how much they can pay. On the other hand, your EFC will be based on their income this year, which will be what they normally earn…since they have jobs til the end of the year. </p>
<p>Just make sure that you have a few schools on your list that will give you a LOT of assured merit scholarship money…such as full tuition or near full tuition or more.</p>