<p>i'm going to be 17 as a freshman too. about the health issues, i know there are places where teenagers (even those not in college yet) can get birth control, etc without their parents knowing. so why would that be different in college?????</p>
<p>sorry, i don't know how to edit posts so i'll just add...
why wouldn't they let you get counseling under 18?? that just seems wrong to me. are you supposed to just hold your problems in just because you're a minor?</p>
<p>Dramakitty - I don't think they were talking about birth control. They were talking about how you have to have permission to be checked for diseases and stuff. People can't test things on you when you're a minor and they don't have permission. It's a legal thing, I think, as with the counseling thing. So then parents can't sue the school for malpractice or something if something goes wrong. Correct me if I'm wrong, people.</p>
<p>And I understand about the Psych research thing. It doesn't concern me anymore, I thought everyone was talking about actually doing the research. =]</p>
<p>Ok, I can understand about checking you for cancer or something. But if you just have a lot of stress and need to see a counselor, and it's something you don't want to talk to your parents about, why would that be a problem?</p>
<p>Another thing. What is the worst that will happen if you get caught trying to sneak into a club underage? Does the bouncer just throw you out/not let you in the door, or can you get in to some kind of trouble?</p>
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Another thing. What is the worst that will happen if you get caught trying to sneak into a club underage? Does the bouncer just throw you out/not let you in the door, or can you get in to some kind of trouble?
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<p>The worst that WILL or the worst that CAN?</p>
<p>Usually they just won't let you in. If somehow you do get in and try to do something stupid like wash your "under" stamps off your hand, then you could get into a bit more trouble.</p>
<p>"-Try to get a Fake ID"</p>
<p>That is so immorally wrong.</p>
<p>I'm 17 and a college freshman (don't turn 18 until late November, whoopee!).</p>
<p>It's not a HUGE problem. It's only annoying because:</p>
<p>-17 days late in being able to vote :(. Okay i guess this IS a big problem for me. -_-</p>
<p>-Not able to go clubbing with your friends, and sometimes not getting into parties that require you to be 18+</p>
<p>Also, when people learn of your age, they say "DAMN, you're young!!" but I dont think it makes any difference in how I'm treated.</p>
<p>I got counseling at my college when I was 17 and I didn't have to fill out any forms or anything. I also never had to get a waiver or anything to go to the doctor. I've been going to the doctor without my mom since I was like 16 anyway. I got an STD test before I turned 18 too, and no one said anything. Maybe laws differ state to state, but I don't think they are allowed to turn you down for birth control or STD tests just because you're underage. I mean, Planned Parenthood gives out BC to minors and does pap smears and stuff all the time without parental consent</p>
<p>What I did have to get signed was things like permission forms to do a ropes course or inflatable rides at a carnival, and the extra credit psychology experiments for class.</p>
<p>To clarify about the counseling thing, here's what I wrote in my original post:</p>
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The bigger problem was when I tried to see a psychologist without my parents knowing and the idiots at the counseling center mistakenly told me I needed parental consent (laws with that will vary, but most places allow it).
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<p>MISTAKENLY. I absolutely don't want anyone getting the wrong idea here, it was a major error on the counselor's part. New York state law allows minors to get therapy without parental consent (see Reference</a> Card: Minors And Mental Health Care (2004) | NYCLU for the precise criteria that have to be met), but the psychologist I saw was an idiot and kicked me out once he realized I was under 18. Different states' laws vary among the states though, and not all allow it.</p>
<p>Birth control, abortion, and STD testing also vary widely state to state; see Contraceptive</a> Info :: Can I Get Birth Control Without Parent Permission? or Sex</a>, Etc. -- Sex in the States for details. Laws on contraception range from no restrictions to only minors who're married. All states allow at least some minors to get STD testing without parental consent but many, many states allow health care providers to contact parents if the results are positive or if the minor receives treatment.</p>
<p>However, for general health care services deemed "non sensitive" (i.e. non-reproductive, non mental-health related), most states do not allow minors to consent unless they're pregnant, emancipated, married, etc. (more info at <a href="http://www.incenterstrategies.org/jan07/factsheet5.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.incenterstrategies.org/jan07/factsheet5.pdf</a>)</p>
<p>So basically, in NY when I was 17 I could have gotten birth control from student health no problem.... but I needed to get my mom's permission for a throat culture.</p>
<p>Keep your age to yourself, especially among upperclassmen, since there are definitely dudes that target the youngest freshmen they can. One of my friends started college at 16 and felt she was getting way more attention than she should from the older guys (and, generally, creepier guys) once her age got out.</p>
<p>I'll be 17, but not for long! I mean once I start college... birthday is in september so am actually right age for class of 2009, but here in australia I actually started early so have been the youngest in my grade for my entire school life. People dont really treat you differently.. its like they find out and then they are normally like "woah you must be smart" and then you go no not really and then its all good.
But it really depends on the person, I mean I know people who have been skipped and really shouldn't have been because they are like 16 and every one else is 18 and they act like 16 year olds and its really noticeable.</p>
<p>When I was 13 I was a freshman in HS, and I learned quickly not to talk about my age. People treated me like I was a lot younger than they were.</p>
<p>oh God I hope this isn't true... I'll only be 17 when starting college too.</p>
<p>its not that big of a deal...im in the same boat....but my 18th birthday isnt until march....but i would definitely agree with keeping your age to yourself because people are shocked at first and then treat you diff. if you havent already established yourself with them...</p>
<p>Hmm. It seems that I'll be pretty okay. I'm not planning on wearing an, "I'm seventeen!" shirt, and I generally only tell people I'm young around my birthday. I know I'm not really a typical "young one", because I never skipped a grade, and I'm not graduating early. I just happen to have a really late birthday.</p>
<p>The only thing you need to worry about is that you are a minor and guys tend to be angry when they find out that they did something with jailbait (others will target you because of that too). Just don't make a huge deal out of your age and if some asks if you want to go to a 18+ club, just say that it's not your sort of thing instead of saying you're too young.</p>
<p>i have a friend whos 17 and hes really cool. it doesnt matter what age u r. its all about personality and how u present urself to people. my best friend is still 17 going on 18 and we hang out all the time. age is only a number and people generally dont care how old u r. i even hang out with people who r like 3 and 4 years older than me and they dont treat me any differently than they would if they were hanging out with people their age.</p>
<p>I was 16 when I first entered college and didn't tell anyone about it until my 18th birthday a month ago lol. You'll be fine.</p>
<p>awww, i'm gonna be an old lady when I go to college on sept 2009. I'll be 19 year old, wayyy older than other ppl.</p>
<p>I was 17 when I started this year, and though I couldn't get involved in many of the orientation activities (as they were in bars/clubs at night) I found no other problems. There are thousands of people entering university (or college as you guys would say) each year, and many will be young like you, and many will be a fair bit older, too. I wouldn't worry about it!</p>