<p>I feel really sorry for you, Lefty, and also concerned. That is so much debt to be taking on, especially for a subject you aren’t passionate about, if I am reading your posts correctly. :(</p>
<p>Would your mother at least agree to let you spend the first two years at community college, to offset the enormous costs? (If that is any cheaper–I vaguely recall threads about California CCs being expensive?) Maybe in two years she will have mellowed out.</p>
<p>It is so frustrating to hear about a student being “held hostage” like this. Your mom is not making rational decisions to protect your future, she is making irrational decisions to protect her own feelings.</p>
<p>Are you on speaking terms with your father? Is there anything he could do to help?</p>
<p>I almost wonder if it would be better for you to wait until you’re an independent student to go to college. I know that “wait six years!” is not great advice, but I think it might be better than all that debt. </p>
<p>Hang in there!</p>