<p>I know a number of parents who have made the decision not to pursue lucrative careers. Some homeschool, have home businesses, some are heavily involved in social issues. The bulk of the kids I know from this environment do very well in terms of college admissions and financial aid. This cluster of families is an exception to the general wage to educational achievement chart in education. Colleges absolutely will NOT discriminate against such families. </p>
<p>I know the case to which Parentofivyhome is referring. It is suspected that the young man’s app smelled too heavily of parental involvement. I don’t believe for an instant that if the parent were not employed, that would have made a difference. It was what he was doing when he was not employed–making his presence too known in the app process that could hurt. That can hurt any app, as the adcoms are sensitive to whether the application is wholly the work of the applicant. But a parent’s occupation and pay, or lack thereof is not going to be a factor against admissions or financial aid.</p>
<p>The OP can certainly aim as high as she pleases with her applications. In my opinion, she does have a bit of a problem with the low SAT score. The top schools are not going to give her a break in terms of being disadvantaged as they might with parents who are not college grads, as she does have the advantage of two very well educated parents. </p>
<p>In her case, looking for a safety school is also going to mean a financial safety. THough her stats are good, getting merit aid is still iffy for her at the competitive schools. Her SAT scores are just not up there at that range where I would consider her a top contender. UPitt, for example, has a 1400 CR + M SAT1 cutoff for the chancellor’s scholarships which would put her in the lower end for that particular award.</p>
<p>However, she certainly is a good candidate for admissions at a number of full need met schools. A number of those should be on her list at varying selectivities. Most important of all, however, is finding a school where she is sure to get in and will give her the aid, merit or financial need, to pay for the college costs. After that, she can apply whereever she pleases. Princeton is no guarantee for anyone, if legacies with higher numbers than hers. It is still a high reach, always.</p>