Kuwaiti Class of 2026 student struggling with university decisions

I'm a Kuwaiti student who graduated from an American high school in Kuwait this year. My parents are strongly encouraging me to apply to public universities such as Kuwait University and Abdullah Al Salem University, mainly because of programs like AI and Cybersecurity and because public universities are much more affordable.

The problem is that I don't really see myself there. I've spent my entire life in private American schools, and I feel much more comfortable with the environment and teaching style at AUK. I completed all of AUK's requirements and scored above 90 on both the English and Math aptitude tests. I'm planning to study Computer Science because I've always enjoyed working with computers and technology. I also want to work in the private sector after graduation and have little to no interest in pursuing a government career, which is another reason why AUK appeals to me more.

My cumulative GPA is around 81%, but I feel like that doesn't accurately reflect my current academic performance. My first two years of high school brought my GPA down significantly, but over the last couple of years I've consistently maintained above a 3.7 GPA and have shown a lot of improvement.

My parents believe public universities will give me a better future and are concerned about the cost of private education. They also don't support the idea of studying abroad because they think I'm not ready to live independently, although I feel finances are a major factor as well.

What stresses me out the most is the national aptitude test. I know that deep down I don't even want to attend a public university, but I feel pressure to do well because my parents will judge my intelligence based on the result. On my first attempt, I scored around 20%, but I didn't study for it at all. This upcoming attempt is my last chance.

I guess my questions are: Based on my background (81% cumulative GPA, 90+ on AUK aptitude tests, American curriculum, and strong improvement in recent years), how realistic is it for me to receive a scholarship or financial aid from AUK? For people in Kuwait, is studying Computer Science at AUK viewed negatively compared to Kuwait University or Abdullah Al Salem University, especially if my goal is the private sector? Has anyone else dealt with parents pushing them toward a university they didn't actually want to attend? Am I making a mistake by prioritizing the environment and teaching style of a university over its cost and reputation?

I'm the oldest sibling, so neither my parents nor I have gone through this process before. Any advice would be appreciated.