<p>Red Letter- Glad things are looking up. I assume you mean Southwestern which is right outside Austin. A nice school but I never got the sense that they were big into either rowing or LGBT issues. </p>
<p>A school that you might consider in Austin as a safety, however, might be St. Edward's. I know it is Catholic, but it is very very liberal Catholic, which means that although it must "toe the line" in teaching doctrine, it doesn't necessarily mean it toes the line in student life, etc. I know one of their deans very well. I used to work for him. I think you would definitely get in there and probably get a decent scholarship since you will probably be way above their norm for SATs. Just a thought, and only as a safety. Definitely aim higher for the matchs and reaches.</p>
<p>Just a note on the finances, if your father is laid off it won't affect your EFC until the following year. EFC for this coming year 09/10 is based on income from 08.</p>