<p>^ is right on target. ED sounds great and in some cases may even give a slight advantage for admissions…but it can be tricky with financial aid at all but a handful of top schools (I mean, you can count them on one hand!) where all aid is need-based, and it is predictable and it is so generous as to not include loans, parental contribution, etc.</p>
<p>OP I am very glad to hear that you and your mom have a safe place to live for the time being. </p>
<p>ASAP you need to start researching schools. But first of all, talk to your mom and get some concrete ideas about finances. You have to know exactly how much your parents make, how much they can spend on college and if there are any other factors (second home, rental property, business or farm) that you should know about.</p>
<p>Money is first because you have to know what is your best approach. There is no point getting into a school if you won’t be able to afford going there later. Read the threads on College Confidential about need-based and merit-based aid, as they are different. You owe it to yourself to educate yourself so as to not limit your choices later. </p>
<p>Harvard and Yale and Princeton are extremely generous…they are also extremely extremely difficult admits. You can define what you like about Harvard, then craft a list of schools with those attributes. Make sure to include some which you know can reasonably expect to get into / afford, and 2 that are “safeties.”</p>
<p>1) Rename this thread or open another one with a more compelling title so as to get lots of feedback.
“Help homeless student come up with college list” “Motivated but disadvantaged student needs help” or “Suggestions for a homeless Harvard hopeful?” you get the idea.</p>
<p>2) Look into your state university schools ASAP </p>
<p>3) Run net price calculators at every school website</p>
<p>4) Determine your area of interest for study, any geographical limits, and whether you want to go big / small school</p>
<p>5) Post your GPA, SATs or ACT, and the courses you have taken so far in high school</p>
<p>6) Make your guidance counselor aware of the challenges you are facing! Visit him/her as often as possible. Your guidance counselor can get you fee waivers for college applications and will write a letter of recommendation, so make him / her your ally!</p>
<p>7) Enlist a couple of other adults you trust to support you in this process!!</p>
<p>Also be sure to check out Questbridge in case your family income is low enough for you to be considered. The Pre-College deadline has passed but the College Match opens in August. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>