<p>I think you need to go to the authorities and ask for help. Social Services, your local school, etc. They should be set up for helping kids. If the first place you ask for help can’t help, they should be able to point you in the right direction. You’re bright and motivated, but you’re taking on a task bigger than you should have to handle on your own. But if they CAN’T help, you CAN still make it on your own; I have a couple friends who have. I’d recommend you do this BEFORE you come of age; they may be able to help more when you’re a minor.</p>
<p>I’m not really sure about the placement tests; I just know that for someone coming into public schools from homeschooling in Colorado, the school taking the child is supposed to test for grade level. Since my son didn’t actually go back to public school, I don’t know how it works.</p>
<p>And another “I don’t know” - I haven’t applied to MIT etc for grad school. But from what I understand, yes, you can get to those grad schools from K State. You have to do more than have good grades; you have to have good recommendations and good experience with research in undergrad. Planning ahead is great, but even if you just get a degree from K State and don’t go on to grad school at all you’d be better off than if you don’t go to college. </p>
<p>But whatever you do, don’t let a perceived inability to go to a name-brand school at any stage prevent you from doing that stage. I went to Big State U and have done well, and I know many other people the same. You’ve had a rough start, but you have the intelligence and motivation to do well.</p>