Oh College

Oh Ducks, I expected more of you. =(


I took the SAT again today. The test is so long, it's such a killer. I know I did better this time, so at least I won't have to take it again.

But it makes me have to think about college. I haven't really been doing anything about the upcoming deadlines, apart from signing up for the SAT.

I haven't made any decisions yet but I do have options to consider.

Community College:
CCC (CA)
PCC (OR)

save me money. could get me residency in Oregon.

University
Cal Poly Pomona
University of Oregon
Portland State
Western Washington

I really really really don't want to stay here next year. I despise California and really miss Portland/Clackamas. Even to stay for one or two years is going to kill me. I'm not even sure how I'm going to survive this year. On a side note, it was cool and rained today here. Thank God.

But since my parents moved me down here I'd have to pay out of state tution to go to Oregon or Portland. I won't know how much federal finacial aid I qualify for until I file the FASFA in Janurary. In the meantime I need to fill out scholarship applications. The out-of-state tution is around $30,000 a year, including housing.

I'm hoping to combine aid, scholarship, work study and a loan if I have too. Even though my parents deserve to pay the difference of out and in state, I don't expect them to. Money is tight now with the rent and living expenses and I don't think that will change anytime soon.

Even though out of state is expensive, I'm looking at it seriously.

I love U of O, the campus, the programs. It would be a real college experience.

But since I'm considering social work, I'd need a mastor's degree which I can get at Portland State after my degree. But if I have to pay off loans I don't think I'll be able to study full time after my four years are up.

If I can't get a loan because of the banking crisis, I'm going to be pissed. I hope some good can come out of this bailout plan...

I don't think I'm going to be making any decision until I see acceptance letters. Since I qualify for free lunches I won't have to pay applications fees. The number of apps I sent out isn't going to be limited to like one or two schools. I'll probably apply to all four of the universities and see what happens.

This college thing is too complicated.