where do i start...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>alright, so, I'm 19, 2 years out of Highschool. I've been working as a Web Developer/Graphics Designer for a small company in Bethesda, MD since that time. (need to save money)</p>

<p>I'm ready to go back to school. Not for computers, something in the science field not quite sure yet, but science. I planning on applying to mostly liberal art colleges, and then transfering after 2 years. </p>

<p>GPA: ~2.6uw with AP Calc, AP gov, AP Physics, AP US History, Honors Biology, Honors II Chemestry
SAT: 1330 - 1 attempt
class rank: ~170/400</p>

<p>my first 2 years of highschool were spent in NH, with an abusive alcoholic stepfather, and my mom. sophmore yr, my mom was charged with 3 felonies. Needless to say, my sister, and I left for my dads. 1 month before moving in with my dad, he sits us down to explain that... hes gay. I am paying for everything, i dont want to do communitiy college. worked for 2 years, and stayed at home so my sister would stay in school, and not go insane. shes now looking at the Univ. of Miami.</p>

<p>My GPA is low, i know, my SAT's are lower than they should be. I've always been in gifted programs since the 3rd grade, just things fell apart.</p>

<p>Schools i'm looking at:
Whittier College, St Johns, Wright state? </p>

<p>I have no clue what colleges i should apply too, any suggestions?
thanks.</p>

2

<p>anyone?....</p>

3

<p>i expected worse sats, but you have a great essay topic. sry cant help much, dont know any schools in md region.</p>

4

<p>ya, well, i expected my SAT's to be around 1450 instead, my math score is extremely low for me... got an 800 on the psat 670 on sat..... shoulda taken it again, but ya know..... really, i should be at Vtech..... shoulda had 3.8 in HS and 1450 SAT.... </p>

<p>ya i've got a great essay topic, and i am still in contact with quite a few teachers, and my counselor from HS who know my situation who will be writing my recomendations</p>

5

<p>There are several issues to address here. First of all, despite your situation, you are still considered dependent on your parents for college aid purposes. You may find an exception here or there, but basically by federal methodology, you do not fulfill independent requirements and it would be difficult for you to do so. </p>

<p>Given that situation, it is going to be difficult to find a school you can afford since your parents' financial statements are needed to get aid. Take a look at financial aid site here and it has some links that will give you what you need to understand the situation. So the options are really local schools where you can still live with your dad, and work part time, state schools that run about $17K where you may qualify for some money and loans and community colleges. Another option is the JOhns Hopkins evening college where you can work during the day and go to school at night. With your work experience you may be able to snag a job at a college and get some free tuition benefits.</p>

6

<p>Yes, I have already conceded that it is nearly impossible for me to fulfill the requirements needed to qualify as an independent in terms of financial aid. I have some amount of credit built up; I took a loan out to buy a car -paid it off in a year.</p>

<p>Wouldn’t it be possible to take student loans out for the first 2 years at like St Johns (~30K/year) then transfer with lets say a 3.8 to a school of my liking and in all probability receive some sort of scholarship based on my prior 2 year GPA of 3.8. Then start paying off the immense amount of debt that I acquired after they matured.</p>

7

<p>Students are generally limited in the dollar amount of loans they can take. Parents are the ones who are expected to take out the loans or co sign. As a transfer, heavy consideration is given to college grades and intensity of course load in area of interest and fit of schoo to student. Financial aid varies for transfers and you would have to call each school about the policy, but for right now you need to know what the next step is to take. St John's is an individualistic school and they may have some suggestions for you as to how you can swing their tuition. I suggest you meet with admissions and financial aid there and run your situation by them (would not mention the transfer part). I would also seriously consider your state options as they are much more affordable, or possibly look at some state schools in Virginia such as Mary Washington, again for affordability reasons. $60K for two years of school is a tough loan to take out. My niece is worried about her med school debt and that is with knowing that she will have a decent income as a doctor.</p>

8

<p>ya, my dad co-signed on my car loan. already anticipated. and i dont plan on mentioning the transfer part to any schools i apply too.</p>