<p>My parents aren’t immigrants, but they also did not go to college and they had the same attitude as you when I announced I wanted to apply. “Why should you go? Everyone else in this family has been successful without going to college. Besides, 4 years is too long to study. You should go to work, devote your life to God and marry a nice Christian man.”</p>
<p>Talking to them did no good, so instead I applied to schools that I knew I could win scholarships from or that I could pay for with loans and state aid. My mom eventually relented a little when she saw how hard I was trying, and helped me to apply to schools that were in commuting distance from home (and by “help” I mean she paid the fees).</p>
<p>Just apply, and apply broadly, to schools that give big merit aid for people with high SAT scores. There’s a sticky thread somewhere around here with a list of those schools. My parents weren’t 100% happy when I decided to go - especially since even though I was within commuting distance, I won a scholarship that allowed me to stay on campus and did - but they eventually got over it.</p>
<p>Also, do solicit the support of your teachers and guidance counselors. In my case their help was invaluable in helping me navigate the system, because my parents couldn’t really.</p>
<p>But I just want to mention that this:</p>
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<p>is a little inaccurate. If you enlist in the military, you have to serve your time FIRST before you can go to school. Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you have to serve for at least 36 months (3 years) if you want full benefits. Most military contracts are 4 or 6 years of active service. But it’s still a viable option if you are a permanent resident. Another option is an ROTC scholarship, in which they will pay for you to go to college and then you will serve as an officer in the military, probably for 4 years active. All of the branches have one except the Coast Guard.</p>
<p>And both economics and physics are VERY practical majors, with the potential for lucrative careers in either.</p>