What Colleges Should I Apply to?

Have you considered doing another year of high school abroad, through AFS, Rotary, or another exchange organization? You could still wrap up your graduation requirements this year, but take advantage of advanced coursework and language immersion in a fourth year as a “super-senior.” I’d expect the danger of “senioritis” to be much less with a complete change of scene like this, and a different set of challenges. You could defer admission to a college you get into this year, but you could also float some new applications next year, and it could strengthen your application to finish junior year strong and add the broadening experience of a year abroad.

Applying now, with a downward grade trend in the first half of your junior year, isn’t going to put you in a strong position for the most competitive/“prestigious” colleges. AO’s may question why you’re graduating early when your grades don’t suggest that you’re under-challenged. There are certainly plenty of good options, if you’re determined to start college next year, but they’re not likely to be highly-competitive private U’s or LAC’s, and besides, your ability to afford schools with an 80K/year sticker price isn’t clear either. (BU-wise, CGS could be your best bet, and that would be a January start… so having a plan in mind for a semester gap, whether at home or abroad, could be smart as well.)

Flagship U’s where you could be eligible for in-state tuition could be smart to include in your list. U of Maine’s Flagship Match program is one option - this would certainly be a complete change of scene from Texas, and they have a BSW program. U of Utah has a path to residency after the first year, and has a BSW program as well. In fact, they have this scholarship program for students interested in child welfare: Title IV-E Program - College of Social Work - The University of Utah Salt Lake City would also give you a very different experience from Texas, with good transportation options and tons of local resources.

You really don’t want to take on undergraduate debt for a social work and/or pre-law degree. Social work pays relatively poorly, and law school is expensive. Coming out of undergrad without debt will be one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.

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