flyfishpj: Some things to consider. I'm not sure how much $$$ is available to you for college, but be advised that your out-of-state tuition costs are about 3 times higher than in-state tuition costs. Going to an out of state school is roughly equivalent to going to a private school. Things like dormitory expenses and books and fees may be the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.

Deciding on college majors is very difficult. My advice is to not fully commit to any specific major any earlier than you have to. In point of fact, REAL commitment can often be deferred until second semester Sophmore year or even later. Sure, you'll need to declare a major up front, but you can switch majors without too much pain later. It is important, however, to identify a general path. If you are pretty confident that your path lies along a science/engineering line, this would suggest that you'll need to be hitting the math and physics courses in your Freshman and Sophmore years. If you look at the requirements for many science and engineering majors, for example, you would likely see that the curriculum across several different majorsis substantially identical for the first three semesters. However, if your path lies in the humanities, then a different curriculum is called for during those first three semesters.

Something to think about is that is it a scientific fact that the decision making portion of the human brain matures late, beginning around 17 years of age. What this implies to me is that it is better to defer key life decisions until a point when one's decision making machinery is fully developed. Another point is that decisions are more likely to be good decisions when more information, more input is available. You are much more likely to have this additional information after 3 semesters of college than as a High School senior. I know that kids hate this -- they want to have the security of an explicitly defined path early. I say this based on my son who is a first semester Freshman at Texas A&M University and my 16-year old daughter who is a Junior in High School.

One more consideration just to keep in the back of your mind. Life is long. Things change, particularly careers change. Whatever it is you think you are educating yourself for -- a specific job or job description -- bear in mind that you are probably going to change careers two or more times in your life. Don't overly specialize. Don't slack off on any classes on the assumption that they are not relevant to your chosen major/career path. The idea of studying a range of subjects across multiple disciplines is a good idea.

Well, I'm going to do a complete dump of my college lore, in case it may help you. As I say, I've recently been through a lot of this with my son matriculating recently.

To the extent you have freedom of choice in this matter -- $$$ and admissions may limit your choices -- as an undergraduate attend a university that has the best general reputation; as a graduate student attend a university that has the best reputation in your chosen field.

Put some time into writing your admission essays and ask someone with writing skill -- not everyone has this skill, even simply in terms of knowing correct punctuation -- to review and guide revision of your essay.

Others may disagree, but I think it is preferable to go directly from High School to a four year college/university rather than to a Junior College or community college. My feeling is that the competition is stouter at the four year institutions, and at least to some extent you will lift your game to compete with your peers and hence work harder/learn more at the four year institution than at the Junior College. Additionally, college is not just about learning academic subject matter. It is also learning to handle yourself socially, getting exposed to new cultural influences, learning from others. This is best promoted away from home at a 4 year institution.

Apply early for dormitory rooms. If you wait too long, you may get assigned to a crummy dorm or not get a dorm room at all.