<p>Here’s my two cents…</p>
<p>The maturity and reasoning evident in your original post is quite unusual for a high school sophomore - even a highly intelligent one.</p>
<p>I have personal experience which is slightly similar. The college I attended was not where I really wanted to go. I ended up there due to intense pressure from family (including refusal to pay the difference in cost for the much better school which was my dream to attend). </p>
<p>My life turned out well, but looking back, this situation marked a critical fracture in my whole development and career choice. It changed everything. </p>
<p>When you parachute into an environment, and live there for four years, you are not the same person when you emerge. It is impossible to project now what you will want to do, or be in a position to do, after that process. You are not just picking a 'school". </p>
<p>I do not understand why those with means in your family insist that you attend school back home in order to qualify for financial support. In my head I am imagining a story line where beautiful, brilliant niece is undermined by jealous, wealthy aunt who wants to hold her back. I am sure that isn’t what is happening - excuse my active imagination. Just in case, though - beware.</p>
<p>There are many private schools which can end up being quite affordable, and public ones which are always so. I don’t agree with people who say not to acquire debt. Ridiculous. For a good education, you can go into debt. Manage it. Go to the cheapest, best school. You could come out $40,000 - $60,000 in debt. Or much less. That is a cheap way ensure that your four years of college will be the launching pad for the future you were meant to have.</p>
<p>Even if you attend a lesser U.S. school in order to get a lot of merit aid, you will still be HERE. Being HERE is a pretty awesome thing indeed! I believe that people should follow their dreams in order to become their most authentic selves. You can find a way!</p>