I think you should hold off for the fact that you will be going off to college. Most campuses wont allow you to have an animal in your dorms and I doubt your parents would take proper care of the snake while your away. It also would be hard to part from your snake as well. I know that if I had to get rid of my snake i would be depressed... as well as a few users that i know of here that have moved and had to give up their collection. Just hold out til you have a place of your own and can take care of the snake without worries if your going to be able to take it anywhere you move to.