So incredibly stressed out about college. Advice?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a high school grad already. I graduated in June, Summa Cum Laude and at around top quarter of my class, GPA of around 3.6 unweighted, 4.2 weighted (upward trend) with mostly honors and AP classes. I have above average EC's, and still working on my test scores. Yeah...could've done better but there's nothing I can do about it now so I have to take what I've got. </p>

<p>I decided to take a gap year for personal reasons, and I'm applying this fall.</p>

<p>I live in Florida and dread the idea of going to college in-state, so I have my sights set on Penn State, University of Alabama, Smith, and the College of Charleston. But I'm not sure if I can apply to any of those yet because if I do, I'm going to be facing 25k+ a year, which is an extremely daunting price to pay. My father makes around $100k+ a year, so getting financial aid is going to be hard, and my parents are advising against taking loans. </p>

<p>During high school I was an idiot and procrastinated when it came to taking standardized tests. I'm not satisfied with my scores, like at all because anxiety and nerves got to me and really affected them. I've been practicing in the Blue Book and have been improving a lot, so I'm taking the SAT once more this fall, probably in November.
I might not send my scores to Smith. </p>

<p>I haven't asked any of my teachers for letters of recommendation yet, and I'm still looking and applying for scholarships. </p>

<p>The whole process is making me so stressed out. </p>

<p>Any advice on what to do, where to start? </p>

<p>Thanks in advance. </p>

<p>P.S. no bashing, please. I already know I'm not perfect, and neither are any of you so there's no need to point it out to me. </p>

2

<p>Have you run the online Net Price Calculators for each of the 4 schools on your list? If not, that would be a good place to start. Then talk to your parents about how you would cover the estimated net costs.</p>

3

<p>@tk21769 thank you.</p>

<p>Other advice? </p>

4

<p>Why do you dread the idea of going to school in-state?</p>

5

<p>Smith doesn’t require the SAT and is the best school you listed. With you’re GPA, you should be solid. Work on ECs during your gap year.</p>

6

<p>@PSC2IVY thanks! I was feeling insecure about my GPA, so you made me feel a lot better. I’m getting a job very soon. </p>

<p>@geo1113 because I’ve lived in Florida for the past 10 years and have come to despise it with every fiber of my being. Rude people, too much traffic, no seasons, etc. plus, the beach gets boring after a while. I grew up in Pennsylvania and honestly, Florida really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. </p>

7

<p>Florida may not be all it is cracked up to be but I wish I was there when I am digging out of 18 inches of snow in Massachusetts (where we have a fair share of rude people). I lived in Gainesville for 10 years and really had no problem with people and traffic and found things to do other than the beach. I am not trying to change your views but keep in mind there is no perfect place. Make sure you visit the schools. For example, Penn State is in the middle of nowhere. Charleston is nice but doesn’t have a climate much different than Gainesville.</p>

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<p>@geo1113 I take it you haven’t been to Tampa then. Lol. I’m not looking for a perfect place, I’m just looking for somewhere that’s different from Florida. </p>

9

<p>You can’t afford Penn St. They will offer 0 FA and you will be full pay. With low scores you will be on the outside looking in for merit aid.</p>

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<p>As a New Jersey native who attended a boarding school in PA, my second son was determined to go to college outside of the Northeast. He is in FL (New College) now, and is very happy (although he wishes the Gulf waters weren’t quite so warm). If your test scores were disappointing, look into some less selective or test-optional colleges where you might get aid. Some public universities aren’t as prohibitive for out-of-state students. Penn State is one of the costlier options. </p>

11

<p>Forgot to say, I’m also applying to West Chester University, in PA.
I’ve lived in Fl too long, I know all the nitty-gritty behind its beautiful (more like overrated) beaches and theme parks. There’s just no way I’m going to college here. Pennsylvania is where I belong. Maybe not Penn State (I heard it’s one of the most expensive state schools), but somewhere. If not, then C of C, if not that then UA…just for the love of god anything but Florida. </p>

<p>And my scores aren’t really “low” they’re just not where I wanted them. I’ve taken all of the practice tests in the BB and I’ve improved, so by the time I take the SAT again I should be fine. </p>

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<p>You have to be realistic about the cost, though. You might need to put up with 4 years of college there – you can always move out of Florida after graduating. You don’t want to be saddled with a lot of debt. The fact that you have Penn State on your list is a sign that you haven’t really looked at the costs – you must start with those net price calculators and what your parents are willing to pay.</p>

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<p>@intparent Yeah, that’s what my parents keep telling me. Good point. 80k debt is better than 160k+ debt. I’m just stubborn, I guess. I’ve wanted out of Fla for so long and figured this is my shot. I hate the idea of spending another 4 years here.</p>

14

<p>Well, clearly your parents aren’t going to borrow to help you out, and honestly I can’t blame them. The most you can borrow on your own is $28,000 in federal loans (that is total for four years). So you can’t even take out $80K in debt on your own. </p>

<p>What have your parents said they will pay?</p>

15

<p>@intparent No, my parents are going to help me out. I didn’t know that’s all you can take out for loans. Ugh…</p>

16

<p>That is the amount for federal loans. Your parents COULD cosign for more loans, but guessing they won’t. So you need to work constructively with them on a list that is affordable. Reality is that usually it is in-state schools that cost the least because they are subsidized by taxes that your parents pay as residents of the state.</p>

17

<p>@mouseinablender3, I did business in the Tampa area and have friends in Clearwater. Spent too much time on Route 19…I feel your pain.</p>

18

<p>If you really want to go to college in PA and cost is an issue, you could apply to Edinboro University, which is now offering out-of-state tuition at only 5% more than instate tuition. Tuition and fees should be around $10,000 a year. Northwest PA weather would certainly be a change from Florida (think lake-effect snow).</p>