<p>So, I'm currently 15 and a junior in high school. I have good grades and a relatively high ACT score for my state. I'm taking dual credit classes at the community college in my town, but I want to go away to a larger university(about 3 hours away from home) when I graduate. My birthday is August 22. When it's time for me to go to college, I'll be 16(because most schools start before August 22)about to turn 17. I'm mature for my age and most people are shocked when they find out how old I am. I went and stayed with my brother, who is a sophomore in college, during freshman week and everyone thought I was a freshman. I plan to attend the same university as my brother, and he'll be a senior when I'm a freshman. So, does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? I want to have a normal college experience. I'm willing to wait another year if I have to, because I just want to be successful in college. During that gap year I would continue classes at the community college and work and save up some money. What do you all think?</p>
<p>Look at what the community college has to offer that transfers to the larger university if you want to take a gap year. However, I actually recommend going straight to the university if you already have a ton of dual / AP credit so that you can take courses that you can’t find in the community college (if you want community college courses do them over the summer). </p>
<p>–Age is a powerful tool. If you’re young with low academic class standing and lack study skills etc etc you might get picked on and be gossiped about. However, if you’re young, take upper division early, and frequently set the curve–you don’t have to even say your age because it’ll hit them hard if they find out.
Use it to your advantage and I actually don’t recommend having to live the “normal” college life. You’re you and by standing out you can benefit. ~~For the most part, there’s nothing holding a person back from joining organizations and being involved like any other student.</p>
<p>You’ll likely be fine. I’ve known dozens of early entrants and assuming you are prepared for the coursework, the next biggest hurdle is emotional maturity. Going to college early is better than spending a terrible year with Senioritis, but what’s the hurry? HS offers the opportunity to try some things before you get to college.</p>
<p>My best friend skipped a grade so she was still very much 17 when she entered college. It wasn’t a big deal, so I would assume that being 16 almost 17 wouldn’t be much different. She was a little but under prepared emotionally as JustOneDad mentioned, but it wasn’t a killer. </p>
<p>Typical college freshman is 16-20. If you’re within that range there should be nothing abnormal.</p>
<p>awesome…go to a community college for two years and then transfer to save money…trust me</p>
<p>I went to college at 16 with a fall birthday. No one knew my age unless I told them. Most people assume that freshman are about the same age at a traditional college. It wasn’t a problem. The only time I felt really young was when I graduated at 20. If you feel ready, go. If not, take a gap year. </p>
<p>^^I agree with the above. It won’t be a big deal unless you make it a big deal.</p>
<p>The only time where it may matter is when your friends want to do age-restricted things, like go to an 18+ or 21+ club. I had times when my friends and I had to readjust our plans at the last minute because we forgot there were people in our group that were under 21.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I feel like I’ll be ready and I’m not going to take a gap year. So, do you all have any advice for being younger while at college?</p>
<p>I guarantee you you’ll be fine. It won’t even be an issue. I’m not surprised at all if I find out that a friend of mine is 17.</p>
<p>Trust me you’ll be fine. I started at 15 going on 16. No one will really notice unless you make it blatantly obvious (like telling them) and to be honest, the people that matter won’t really care. There will probably be people who look a lot younger than you but aren’t, so you won’t really stand out.</p>
<p>dude, what’s the point of going to college early? enjoy the time you have with your classmates. you’re going to miss out on senior prom, senior pranks…you’re going to miss your time there.</p>
<p>tell me, when your 85 years old, what’s going to matter more?</p>
<p>but be my guest. do whatever you want. i was thinking about graduating early as well, and if you ask me, i don’t regret staying in high school my senior year. I just booked a lot of AP courses, which geared me up for college quite well… (getting A’s in college, maybe an A- in one of my courses… not sure yet) . </p>
<p>PLUS:… if you stay in high school and you’re going to a the state college every other person at your high school is going to, it’s great, because you have a group of friends to start off with and you won’t feel so alone. </p>
<p>I know some two siblings that both began attending a community college when they were 12 and 13 years old. The both got 2 associates degrees and went to Georgia Tech when they were 16 and 17. They didn’t have any trouble with adjusting to the environment and getting along with classmates, but the biggest thing that probably made their experience workable was that they lived with their parents and their parents moved to Georgia as well so they could stay close to their kids. As far as simply attending courses at a college goes, not really an issue unless you don’t really have good social skills or feel shy around people older than you. Because you are nearly 17, I can’t imagine this will be much of an issue. Like others have said, simply working hard and succeeding will garner respect from others even if you are a lot younger. That said, taking a gap year might be a good experience because you do have that extra year. Really it’s up to you.</p>
<p>The thing is,I’m not thinking about skipping a grade. I already did. I skipped a grade in elementary school.</p>
<p>^That was my situation as well. And all the more reason you won’t have any problems. You have grown up with your grade instead of your age. You will be going to college with the peer group to which you are accustomed. The only advice I have is to study hard</p>
<p>I know an 18-year-old senior. Everyone in her dorm really likes her. You make friends with your personality, not with your age.</p>