Some students apply for expensive colleges with the hope to get financial aids and scholarships. While financial aids may be available from the college or government, you cannot forget that the demand always exceeds the supply. There is no guarantee you will qualify for financial aids. You have to be prepared for alternative funding sources. It will help to find out the rates of approved scholarships or financial aids of the colleges you are interested in.
Choosing a college can be one of the most important decisions of your life. Make it the first step into your independence.
I have always believed that having a clear goal and putting hard work in are the most important thing. Think about it this way – how many people graduate from those ivy league colleges each year. How many of them end up really successful? One of the nice things about life is that you get to define your own success, and going to a famous college is hardly one.