Advice
I am a 17-year-old who is about to be in grade 12 soon and graduate from high school. I plan to move out with my sister and go to university or college. I still don't know what exactly I want to be in the future, but I think I want to become either a construction project manager, civil engineer, or structural engineer (but idrk, as long as the job is design, math, physics, management, or construction related).
However, I have a big problem. My parents told me that they won't financially support me at all after grade 12. They said that I will have to rely on my own and OSAP for tuition, housing, transportation, and other basic living costs.
Am I cooked?
OSAP can only cover so much, I don't have any other family members that would help me, and I currently have a part-time job ($17.30/hr, earning around $1000 per month), and have only $5400 saved up. This summer, I will be getting more shifts, so I will earn around $1200-$1500.
I plan to get another job or two with higher pay (hopefully one overnight and the other morning-afternoon/evening), but with my experience (working at fast-food stores, co-op as an assistant to a medical receptionist at a walk-in clinic, and volunteering at summer camps as an assistant), I doubt that I will get what I want--hopefully I do though.
With my current situation, I don't know which pathway I should take, which university or college, which program, or housing option (residency or renting an apartment with my sister).
Can you guys help me decide?
I originally planned on going to University of Waterloo for the architectural engineering or civil engineering program, but it is very competitive. I don't think I will get in since my average grade is only around the low 90s. Moreover, this option is expensive, so idk if I should even consider it.
My other option was to go to Conestoga College to either take the Architecture - Construction Engineering Technology Co-op, Bachelor of Applied Technology (Honors) - Architecture - Project and Facility Management Co-op, Bachelor Engineeg - Building Systems Engineering Co-op, Banchelor of Engineering - Sustainable Design Engineering, Civil Engineering Technician Co-op, or Civil Engineering Technology Co-op (then possibly go to either Construction Management Co-op or Construction Project Management).
This would be a much cheaper and safer option compared to going to University of Waterloo.
However, I don't know if I should get a degree right away or a diploma first, then either get a degree right away or wait a year, then get the degree.
In addition, I don't know if Conestoga should be my only other option. The reason why I chose Conestoga College for my other option in the first place is that one of my teachers recommended me to go to it and become a project manager, as they used to be a project coordinator and a project manager after attending the Bachelor of Applied Technology (Honors) - Architecture - Project and Facility Management Co-op program from Conestoga College.
I am aware that there are other colleges and universities, as well as programs and pathways, but considering my situation, can you guys please help me decide (and whether to go to residence or rent an apartment with my sister)?