Here, the problem is that most colleges that do cover full need are highly selective. Full rides for stats have become quite limited compared to even 5 years ago (for instance, Prairie View or FAMU’s full rides aren’t available to DACA students, some full rides simply no longer exist) and full tuition merit wouldn’t help a kid whose family makes 15k a year.
Troy used to offer a full ride for stats open to internationals but no longer does.
Another issue for top students at nationally-ranked high schools who want sequential majors is that the small college with a full ride may not have their major or may run out of classes for them to take after a year. In that case, it’s better to take a gap year.
HKim is taking a gap year and will figure things out for next year.