If you are really serious about getting a degree then, for most people like myself, would do anything it would take to get there. Most people come to US for the American dream, of having great jobs and finally becoming a PR and then a citizen...its a land of opportunies, thats what they say. As for scores, it really does not matter (maybe it does at the time of admission to a UG school) what you made in high school. But the fact of the matter is, once you get into the UG school, you need to make good grades here to be able to get a degree. And its upto you if you don't want to work while attending school, but really, like someone already pointed out, unless your parents make millions gazillions, you dont have to. UG out of state costs average about $7000 tuition only...excluding room and boards and monthly bills...And to restate the fact "people who work while going to school are respected" is absolutely true...you create networking opportunities...Personally, I had my parents to support me but I chose to do it on my own, I changed 3 different schools just to save money, went to a community college for 2 years full time, worked 20 h/week at school, and full time (cash) at two other places, and attended classes at night. And I still made it to President's Honor Rolls and Dean's Lists...I did not have a life literally. When it comes to friends, you will be lucky if they would help you out but most of us are in the same situation...so good luck on that...again, there is nothing wrong with not working while going to school, but it will come back and bite your ass in future, once you get a degree, and apply for a job, people will want to look at your experience (any!) and will ask for references...and networking do count! And for the scholarships and grants...most are merit based, federal and state grants are only for americans, I did not have any luck with grants and scholarships because there were americans ahead of me in the line...

It is getting harder and harder in US despite you have a degree/degrees. As for me, I am a Registered Nurse with BSN degree from US, and the so called "green card in 6 mos" vanished before my eyes because of visa backlog. Even with masters degree in nursing I am looking at 5 years backlog with eb2! So it is getting tougher and next to impossible even with prestigious area of study...so choose your major wisely!