when it comes to your essays what theyre really looking for is emotional maturity, they eat that up. Good grammar and format go without saying.
Its going to be crazy expensive. Do everything you can before taking out loans. If you cant pay them off within a few years of being out of college the interest builds up so much it could get to more than it was in the first place depending on how long you wait. Do grants (you dont have to pay them back, but i dont remember if you have to be a US citizen). Honestly going to europe would be so much cheaper. If youre going into a business major and plan to stay in the states then yes thats reccomended because our system is dif and you may not know what to do if u took the business course in england for example. Besides that major, the rest generally provide/have the same qualifications internationally.
Apply to lots of scholarships! If youre a foreigner and or a minority there will be much more available to you! I use Bold.org.
Besides that all i can say is watch alot of youtube vids and tumblr also has some good info as well ^_^
Good luck!!