<p>im in my last year of high school and im 16. i'll graduate from college before i even turn 21. do you think this will have a big impact on my social life, or not really?</p>
<p>Everyone is different, and I don't know you, but based on my two kids and my own experience I would say there is a huge difference in maturity between 16 and 18. And most college freshmen are turning 19 in their first year.</p>
<p>Have you thougt about a gap year? If you were my kid, I'd encourage you to do this if staying in high school weren't an option. You could do a service project, study abroad, research something of interest - the opportunities are limitless.</p>
<p>Short answer, yes, I do think it will limit your social life- but that's just my opinion, and there are always exceptions. Do you look and "seem" 16, or could you pass for an 18 year old? How old are your friends?</p>
<p>I'll be 17 when I graduate high school and turn 18 october of my freshmen year. I think I'll be fine. A 16 year old in college though is kinda weird.</p>
<p>it might be really wierd for you, socks</p>
<p>from what i hear..even people with late birthdays who turn 18 their freshman year sometimes find it a bit awkward to be younger. i would also recommend taking a gap year.</p>
<p>but then again, if you're a mature person im sure you could handle it!</p>
<p>Quite frankly, taking a gap year sounds boring. I def wont do that although my bday is a little late.</p>
<p>Frankly it's not weird at all. Unless you look or behave "younger" than everyone else, most people aren't going to even know (unless you tell people)</p>
<p>Chances are your maturity is right about or above expected for typical freshman (18/19), anyways.</p>
<p>Besides, you're in a a group of a couple dozen or so who are all going to be in your age range, in the exact same situation - built in social network! :)</p>
<p>I don't think a gap year is good advice based on age alone.</p>
<p>i'm graduating early. essentially i'm skipping senior year.</p>
<p>i'm short, but not that young looking. depending on what i'm wearing i could be considered anywhere from 15-19. as far as maturity, my parents uninentionally took the hands-off approach to parenting and i have raised myself. i dont support myself financially, but other than that i am completely independent. </p>
<p>what i was trying to ask is whether or not my social life will be stunted because i can't partake in the club scene, and later on, the bar scene due to american age restrictions (ill be going to school in los angeles)</p>
<p>Well I think it depends on what exactly you're aiming for (socially)...</p>
<p>But I think for the most part, things will be just fine. Considering, most of freshmen and sophomores are under-21 also...</p>
<p>Though it can be a bit annoying sorting through what's 18/21 only...if you go in a group of college kids and say you're not drinking, they're pretty lenient, since 18+ policies are usually the owner's rules and not laws...but still there are places that get picky and demand ID to be 18+.</p>
<p>But otherwise, you'll be just fine - there'll be plenty to do for a year or so.</p>
<p>lol...me talking about a social life...I've spent the last 3 semesters like crammed in books so many hours/day..but engineering will do that to you :)</p>
<p>edit: and some places take student ID's...which don't have age on them (not for stuff they require ID for legal reasons, though)</p>
<p>It depends on you. I was in the same situation... and I'm fine. I still party, I still have friends, I joined sorority, and for the most part... no one really know my age. I'm 18 now and will graduate college next year at like 19(after I graduate I'll turn 20 so I'll be 20 when I'm in grad school). I still get internships, I have gained respect from professors, and am doing well academically. I didn't graduate HS early but I started early. It's is a bit odd socially when all the students I have classes with are 3-4 years older than I am(I'm 18 and taking courses with 21-22 year old seniors).</p>
<p>... it really depends on how socially "normal" you are. I knew a student who was 16 who lived on the floor below me freshman year and he was sooo annoying and tried to be everyone's friend and everyone pretty much ignored him. He just wasn't mature AT ALL. </p>
<p>As for the ID thing... I've never had an issue because I look like I'm 25. If they ask for an ID I gave them my student ID and had no issues. This obviously doesn't apply for drinking but it worked flawlessly for getting into clubs, bars, etc. I go out with my 21-22 year old friends and just don't drink.</p>
<p>Yeah I can identify with being the youngest in the class. I'll graduate from high school at 17 but turn 18 before starting my freshman year.</p>
<p>I'd say it depends on your maturity level for sure. Suggesting a gap year based solely on age does sound very unfair, in my opinion.</p>
<p>You know your college doesn't have to be the main place for you to get friends. You can always join some sort of outside activity with people your age. Its not like you will be missing anything.</p>
<p>Agree with the gap year thing! I had so many chances to finish h.s early or go to college early but I shot them all down. Same reason as you I was concerned about being to young and the whole social thing. Now I am almost 20 and I feel like kicking my self in the a** since I could have traveled and done stuff when I was young.</p>
<p>I didn't turn 18 till the summer after my freshman year of college. It really isn't a big deal. Something I had fun with was giving people a hard time if they hit on me, although in my state 17 is legal for that type of stuff, but they don't always know that. So there's a perk. Being 17 didn't cause any problems for me socially or with internships. The only bad thing was when I went on a plant tour for a seminar class and the company had us sign release forms, and technically I wasn't supposed to sign for myself since I was under 18. Oh well, no one ever knew.</p>
<p>16... too young. We make fun of people who turn 18 their freshman year (just for fun), but 16... You cannot go clubbing and some frat parties require you to be 18.</p>
<p>I totally feel you, I'm in the same situation. I was 16 for most of last semester (i'm a freshman right now). it is somewhat of an issue socially, depending on how mature you are. i have absolutely no problem and people tell me i could pass for a 19-year-old. most people don't even know my age. but if you are really immature people won't want to hang out with you regardless, whether you're 16 or 20.
getting into clubs is a little stressful occasionally, (i use my school ID) but i go just about every weekend and i've only had problems once or twice. and after a bit of pushing they always let me in. if you go to events sponsored by organizations from your school the club doesn't really care, and make sure you're with a group. if you're really worried you can always get a fake, but it really isnt a problem.
i don't know about the bar scene yet.. i'm not sure what i'll do.. probably just go and not drink, i guess.</p>
<p>i say don't take a gap year. being 16 is only a big deal if you make it one. people are totally cool with it and i don't really feel like i've had a different experience from that of an 18-year-old college student.</p>
<p>I mean, there are some issues, but it's not a giant, dealbreaker issue - it's not like you're going to be stuck in your dorm room every night cause you have nothing to do (socially)</p>
<p>Anyway, people sometimes underestimate how much non-age limited stuff college students get into - I mean even people 21+ go out to movies and so on sometimes friday/saturday night...</p>
<p>There are good reasons to take gap years, as very frequently discussed elsewhere on this forum...but I would not recommend considering younger age alone as a factor in deciding to take one. In fact, I would actually say the opposite: taking an independent gap year (travel, etc) actually requires significantly more independence than being a college freshman, so it would be somewhat less advisable for younger students.</p>
<p>Besides, it's a moot point since the OP's school doesn't allow deferments like that anyway (for gap years).</p>
<p>I also skipped my senior year of college. I'm 17 right now, about to be 18, and I'm in my first year of college. I'll graduate a couple of months after I turn 20 (graduating in three years instead of four, again). It hasn't been a big deal for me. Nobody would know just by looking at me that I'm not 18 even though I do look a little young for my age. Generally people assume that if you're in college, you're at least 18. The only annoying thing is having to mail housing contracts and legal papers back to my mom to get them signed.</p>
<p>Yeah, I think I signed some things I shouldn't have too :) lol</p>
<p>You remind me of Amobi Okeye, he's a football player from Nigeria who entered Louisville as a 16 year old. He is 19 now and will be playing in the NFL in a few months.</p>
<p>He was mature, if you are mature, you will fair just fine.</p>
<p>thanks for all the input. while i am a nerd, i do my fair share of partying in high school... but its immensely different since everyone is underage (and some of the local liquor stores aren't exactly conscientous, hah). i suppose i could always get a fakey ;-)... i mean, those are illegal! BAD!</p>
<p>I started college at 16, turned 17 about a month later. I'm assuming this is probably similar to your situation. I will tell you, I definitely had some problems getting dates/finding guys interested. Most guys aren't going to be interested in jailbait, and (if you're a guy) most girls aren't interested in younger guys. Once you turn 18 (for me, it was this year, my soph. year) things are better (and you have the pick of the class below you as well, who are the same age). I didn't have any trouble making friends after I actually started trying (first semester I went home alot and stayed in the dorm when I was here) I found friends pretty quickly, and this year my circle has expanded even further. Be open about your age when asked, like don't lie and say you're older, but don't let it be the first thing you bring up. People will think you're being snobby about being so smart and graduating early. Just answer honestly if someone asks about your birthday, or how old you are.</p>