<p>Okay. So, first of all, I'm NOT writing this to bash my parents or anything. I just need some tips and advice.</p>
<p>My mother is very overprotective and hovery. I skipped tenth grade, so I'm a senior but I'm only sixteen. She says I'm far too young to go to college (I'll be 17). Anyways, during my college search, when I find colleges I am interested in, she blows them off and tells me which colleges I will apply to, who I will get letters of recommendation from, when I will send in my applications, what I will write my essay on, etc. I've tried all I can think of, does anyone have some words of advice? I'm sure I'm not the only one who has ever gone through this situation.</p>
<p>I am in contact with many people who let their highly advanced kids go away young, and you aren’t **THAT **young. I went to college at 17-almost-18 by virtue of a late birthday; a friend the same age got there by a grade skip. I am fortunate that my son in your situation decided to take a gap year (and “take back” the grade-skip) before going to college, but if he had wanted to attend one year early I would happily send him 1000 miles away to his dream school. </p>
<p>Do you have older siblings the blew it when they got away from home? Could you find out safety information (police reports, etc.) about the schools of interest? Could you enlist help from your GC about any other students who went to those schools? Is she trying to insist that you stay close to home, or is she demanding that you go to Harvard?</p>
<p>Suggestions [ul][<em>]Ultimately, you are the one who has to request the letters from the teachers and write the essays. You are in charge - are they likely to refuse to pay based on your choosing your own stuff?[</em>]you could join [The</a> TAG Project](<a href=“http://www.tagfam.org/]The”>http://www.tagfam.org/) and ask them there[<em>]you could post this question on the parents forum, maybe with a title of “Mom says 17 is too young to go to college”.[</em>]read RiceGal’s suggestions; they’re all better than mine! (cross-posted) But do it without whining or nagging.[/ul]</p>
<p>Give your mother all kinds of information to assure her you know what you are doing. It’s good practice for life and work to be able to defend your positions on things. Explain and defend why your essay topic is better than hers. If you don’t have one, get one. Mothers often fill a perceived void. If you assure her there is no void she will probably back off. Justify why your college choices are better than hers. Perhaps, she thinks you are choosing for immature reasons and needs to be convinced you have considered all the pluses and minuses.</p>
<p>Thanks all! I’ve already spoken with my GC, who has tried and failed to make my mother slightly more reasonable. I’ll try your suggestions. Thanks! :)</p>