OP, I'm going to chime in as someone who's lived a pretty interesting life filled with tons of learning experience...
Go to your first choice school. Do NOT sacrifice education for a pet. It's admirable that you care so deeply for your pet, I get that. I care for mine as if they're family.
You have your WHOLE LIFE ahead of you. That means plenty of time for many more pets. You may only get ONE SHOT at going to your first choice college. Your education will shape your entire future in many ways. Your career path and your job you go to EVERY DAY will be dependent on your education.
Unfortunately, this is one of the reasons I advise kids that still live at home think long and hard before bringing a pet home. These decisions WILL come up. Whether it's college, landlords, roommates, etc...having a pet, especially a snake, can make living situations extremely difficult.
Bottom line: do what's best for YOU. It probably seems pretty scary, but these are decisions adults have to make. And right now you have a BIG decision to make. Choose the one that's best for YOU long term.
I'm 41 now and seriously wish I made better decisions when I was your age. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later in life, go to your first choice school.
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