Since you are looking at grad school your gpa at your undergrad matters. Also cost matters as you know you will be going on to grad school. I agree with the advice to go for a good UG at the best price. Also see where you would have better access to professors for research opportunites which will open up doors to good graduate options.
Yes. The phD is the natural track to become an English professor although whether or not it’s the best course of study is up for debate. The fact is, the types of professors you will have at an elite school such as Rice, Emory, or Yale, are not representative of academia as a whole. Increasingly schools are switching from full time positions to part time adjunct ones. Whether this will be true in 11-13 years (the time it takes to complete a bachelors and phD program) is anyone’s guess, but know that this is the current trend.
My professor argued that based on the time to degree, good chance of making poverty level wages for years after earning a doctorate (know that only 54% of recent top tier program graduates [found a tenure track position](https://chroniclevitae.com/news/897-where-do-english-ph-d-s-get-jobs-it-depends-on-where-they-studied)), getting an English phD is currently a terrible proposition.
OP I think every parent on this thread is interested in hearing what your parents have to say.
You mention you are from Texas. Perhaps your parents also have some feelings about the logistics. You may be unable to have as many school breaks ‘coming home’ or if there are significant family events going on that you may miss. For example, my BIL didn’t want my nephew to go so far from home (he was an older dad), so nephew went to the best private in his area, and did receive very good merit - triple major. He was a Rhodes finalist. It didn’t stop nephew from a semester Senate intern in DC, nor a free student leader trip to Israel (he was study body president as a junior and I believe 50 students from US colleges from across the country were invited). He then went farther geographically for PhD (master’s received along the way, but entered into PhD program directly) because it was the best for his education/interests and merit. After PhD and teaching 4 years on tenure track (students selected him as best professor on campus this past year) he is now in his first year of law school. His career is still evolving.
Don’t look too far down the road - yes your UG will be important for the career you see yourself pursuing now. What you do with all the opportunities available and how you prepare yourself - it is just like elementary school prepares you for MS, MS prepares you for HS, HS prepares you for UG - but it is what you make of the education, EC, and pursuing various opportunities.
If parents and you are deciding between programs, try to get a visit (or a repeat) visit in to try to ‘see’ the distinguishing features, and research all sources of input. Sometimes something ‘feels’ right - I am a believer in prayer. Follow your heart after the practical issues are worked out.
@Qwerty568: I followed your link to the Berkeley site and agree with your interpretation of their wording. However, after cross-referencing with USNWR, it’s confusing whether Berkeley really means supplemental. USNWR lists OOS tuition (although to be precise they don’t specify “tuition”) as $25,064. This compares to an in-state figure of $13,844. Depending on which source is accurate, Berkeley is either $11K more or $24K more for an OOS student. And if you are following along, @CandyFloss, add $15,438 for room and board in either case (although this figure differs somewhat between the two sources as well.)
@merc81 the tuition rates that USNWR has are often old or just plain incorrect. You should always go by what the school’s website says…or call them, if you want to be very sure.
@Qwerty568: I actually wouldn’t be surprised if USNWR got one more thing wrong, but I have also seen unclear wording on college websites. But you are correct in stating that Berkeley is the ultimate source for information in this case. After comparing with some other state schools, I basically can see now that Berkeley’s wording must be correct.
Everyone is giving you great advice. We are in a similar situation; my son has been accepted at a number of schools, but there are only a few that we can realistically afford. With other kids in the family and with your plan to go on to grad school, you really must pick an affordable choice. It sounds like both Rice and Emory will be affordable, and those are both great schools! I don’t think you can really go wrong with either one. Good luck! 
Last year, the UC out-of-state surcharge was $23k, and so I have to presume that the $24k cited above is the surcharge: the amount a non-resident has to pay over and beyond all other expenses and fees.
Congrats on your acceptances! Do you have any tips for rising seniors? (P.s I’d go to Rice)
Thanks to everyone and sorry I haven’t checked these responses for a while! At the end of March, I went to the Emory Scholars finalists’ week and I was awarded the Woodruff (full ride!) scholarship! At this point, I’m definitely strongly leaning towards Emory, and only have 2 more weeks to decide … so if anyone has any advice or suggestions, I’d love to hear them! I was also accepted to Columbia and Dartmouth, but, like Yale, I didn’t qualify for their financial aid.
@brendauo101 Thanks! Just be sure to start those essays early - don’t procrastinate! Keep your grades up, of course, and stay involved in your activities, though it can be tempting to slack off. Also, in your applications, try to pick a single focus (for example, your passion for art), and streamline your app with that in mind. Mine were way too scattered, and I’ve since realized that I should have been more direct about my interests. Good luck to you!
@chris17mom Good luck to your son! I know what a tough choice this is
@SOSConcern Thanks! My parents just say they want the best for me, whether that means going out of state or staying in-state. I don’t really think proximity is a factor here, but thank you for being so thoughtful!
@whenhen Wow, that’s really daunting. Honestly, I love literature and I love writing, and I was under the assumption that being a professor would be the perfect job for me. I’m open to other things, though - college is a time for exploring. What sort of careers would you suggest for someone with my interests? Thanks so much for your replies!
I have to say @candyfloss that you sound wonderful and I think that Emory is lucky to get you!
I don’t know what careers you might be interested in, but fortunately Emory’s Eagle Ops and Career Services are well connected to Southeastern companies and could help you discover alternative options. Fortunately you’re a high school senior. You have plenty of time to explore and further your interests. To give you an example, one of my friends from the College Class of 2015 started out like you. She entered college with the goal of obtaining a phD and is now involved in grant writing for an educational service firm while writing on the side.
I may be biased but I think Emory offers you the best combination of excellent academics and affordability. Its top ranked creative writing program and rigorous undergraduate humanities certainly don’t hurt either.
Wow, congratulations!!! I would definitely take the full-ride at Emory! Emory is a top school, and you really cannot go wrong with that choice. Rice would be great too, but you just can’t beat a full-ride at a great school. To me that trumps any other differences/preferences in the schools. But that’s just my opinion. Best of luck!
Agree about Emory! Congrats and do let us know what you decide @candyfloss .