14-year-old graduates ASU, plans to attend law school in the fall

PHOENIX — Fourteen-year-old Abigail Zagala graduated college at the age most begin high school.

The teen prodigy accepted her bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral sciences from Arizona State University on Monday.

Abigail said she started reading at two years old finished her high school curriculum at just 11 years old. That’s when she made the decision to pursue higher education.

“My parents were going to buy me college-level textbooks, so that way we could continue my education,” Abigail said. “I knew that I was mature enough to go to college, and I knew my time management skills would help me excel there. So, I said to my parents, ‘You know what? Enroll me as a full-time college student. I can do it.'”

Abigail’s next stop: law school — once she decides which school to attend out of the 20 around the country that have already accepted her.

What’s next for teen prodigy who graduated from Arizona State University?

Abigail said working in an ASU lab to advocate for wrongfully incarcerated people was a huge inspiration.

“I want to become a human rights lawyer. I was actually inspired by my grandpa,” Abigail said. “He served 34 years in the US Air Force, and he was defending our rights, and I want to do that, too — just in a slightly different way as a human rights lawyer.”

The teen prodigy chose her major because she wants to help people in underserved and marginalized communities.

“I’ve always had this goal in mind of helping people, and I believe that social and behavioral sciences will help me to reach that goal because as I better understand people, their culture and how we’re all connected, I will be able to help my community and give back,” she said.

Mother of 14-year-old ASU graduate excited about daughter’s future

Abigail’s mother, Sarah Zagala, said she’s looking forward to her daughter’s next steps.

“We know it’s going to be an adventure and we’re ready for that adventure,” Zagala said. “We’ve always raised her with that mindset that she can do anything, and we just want to support her in doing that.”

Abigail also received the Dean’s medalist award, which goes to outstanding students. She said although she was much younger than her classmates, she doesn’t feel like she has missed out on any part of being a teenager.

“I wouldn’t change anything,” Abigail said.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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