<p>From our own experience, being younger has real disadvantages. DD1 was 17 the first semester of college. if she hadn’t been on a sports team and part of a small cadre within the Honors College that took classes together, I’m not sure her experience would have been a happy one. Even with the support of these organized programs, she still got excluded from some informal activities because she couldn’t get into the venues (even as innocuous as meeting friends to watch a football game at a local pub style restaurant) till 2nd semester sophomore year.</p>
<p>DD2 will turn 16 just before her senior year starts, and will be just 17 as a college freshman. We have always been very careful not to accelerate her more than she can adapt to socially, keeping her as close to grade level as possible (1-2 years) and arranging for her to take her more accelerated math and science classes. As a result, she has been able to make many friends, even elected to leadership positions by her peers, and plays varsity sports. Yes, she gets bored with classes, but she has the luxury of time and energy to spend with friends/engaging in EC’s as a result. She will be going to a large U with lots of opportunities to make a “small college” experience for herself. We would be encouraging a gap year before college if she wasn’t so well socialized in HS. If she hadn’t found a niche for herself in HS, chances are she’ ll have even more problems in college with the added complication of “mature” life issues.</p>
<p>Can you make a place for yourself at any college as a 15 year old? Even at a religious college? Religious students at DD1’s college marry very young (think before graduation - DD1 has already attended 2 such weddings). So you probably won’t be avoiding “mature” life in a religious college setting. You probably also won’t be invited to some informal things because of your age (other students might feel they are acting as camp counsellors or babysitters to you).</p>
<p>Have you thought about a gap year - time to mature physically, emotionally and socially? Working with a reputable service organization on a meaningful project would provide social interaction and help you develop a more mature world view.</p>