First gen, family makes under 40k, 3.9 UW / 1320, Texas junior. Is it realistic to leave the state?
I don't really have anyone to ask about this so I'm hoping someone here can help. Long post.
**Demographics:** Hispanic female, rural-ish Texas town, first gen (neither of my parents finished high school in the US), family income under $40k, 4 people in the household
**Stats:** 3.9 UW, top 5% of class (class of ~280), 1320 SAT (took it once, no prep), 4 APs because that's all my school offers, dual credit English and history
**What I do:**
1. Work about 20 hrs/week at a grocery store since I was 15. I give most of it to my mom for bills.
2. Take care of my two little brothers after school every day (pick up, homework, dinner) because my parents work late.
3. Translate for my parents at doctor appointments, the bank, school meetings, basically everything.
4. National Honor Society member
5. Volunteer at my church's food drive a few times a year
I don't have clubs or summer programs or research because I'm working. My counselor has 500 kids and told me to apply to UT and A&M because of auto admit, which I will. But I've always wanted to go out of state, maybe somewhere in the northeast or California, and I see people on here talking about full rides at fancy schools for families like mine and I don't know if that's real or just for people with perfect scores.
Is it realistic for me? Where should I even look? I'm scared of applying to expensive schools and wasting the application fees when we don't have money.
Edit: thank you so much, I did not expect this many answers. I'm going to look up QuestBridge tonight.
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It is realistic, and you are describing exactly the kind of applicant many selective colleges are actively looking for. Some honest, concrete points:
**On cost:** a lot of highly selective private colleges meet 100% of demonstrated need, and for a family under $40k that often means paying little or nothing for tuition, housing and food. Run the net price calculator on any school's site to see your estimate in five minutes. Do not rule a school out by its sticker price.
**On application fees:** you almost certainly qualify for fee waivers. Ask your counselor about the Common App fee waiver, and the SAT fee waiver also gives you free score sends and application waivers at many colleges.
**On your activities:** working 20 hours a week, caring for your brothers and translating for your family are real activities. List them on the activities list exactly like that, with the hours. Readers understand that a job and family duties replace clubs.
**Programs to look at this month:**
1. **QuestBridge National College Match:** for high-achieving, low-income students. Partner colleges can offer full four-year scholarships. Check this year's deadlines and requirements on its site now, as timelines start early.
2. **Fly-in and diversity programs:** many colleges pay for low-income and first gen students to visit. Search "[college name] fly-in program."
3. **Texas options still matter:** UT Austin and Texas A&M both have strong aid programs for low-income Texans. Keep them.**On your score:** many schools are test optional, and a 1320 from a school with 4 APs, with no prep while working, reads in context. Some selective schools now require scores again. Check each one.
Tell your counselor you want to apply out of state and ask them to mention your work and family responsibilities in their letter. Counselors with 500 students often write more when you give them the details.