Ugh! Tuition is so pricey in the U.S. Your private school tuition is higher than tuition at most Canadian universities. Your dad makes about what I make and I know that's not a lot. I live on my own and certainly couldn't afford to send a child to college on what I earn. The cost of living is SO high and I'm still paying off my student loan debt.

Our student loan program leaves some kids in a similar Catch-22. If their parents make "too much money," they can't get a loan. I suppose I was "lucky" in that my parents were poor enough for me to get full loans. I also got some bursaries when I graduated from high school that were based on grades, but you had to be considered "needy" to apply.

You should do some research and see if there are other schools -- where scholarships are more plentiful than at Cornell -- where you could study the same programs. Have you talked to your school guidance counsellor about all your options? He/she might be able to tell you what sorts of things are likely to be required for various scholarships and help you prepare.