<p>With the new development in your situation. Like other posters have shared. US medical schools do not particularly see a 19 year old as a rush to get him or her in their institution, some actually do the opposite and deny them admission with reasons such as, get some life experiences, travel, enjoy your teenage years etc… Yes, some reasons were very laughable but they must have statistics about these particular age group to not want them committing to such a career at that age. On the other hand, some foreign med schools do have 16 year olds but the system is different. They usually have a combined 6, or 7 year medical studies.
So, again, if you finish earlier, use at-least 2 years or so to work in the medical field, gain some real life experience, and then apply to med school say at 20 or 21. That will show the medical school committee that you have done your research and indeed commited to a career in medicine, plus you will be ALL LEGAL at that point.
Best of luck to you.</p>
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<p>I mean, I can only share from my own experience, but why would they care? It’s not like I introduce myself with my name and age, or randomly ask people I talk to how old they are. It’s not like you would do with a child, where how old they are might determine how you interact with them. If you look REALLY young, your age might come up more often. I’ve had people ask me what grade I’m in, even though I’m in graduate school, but among my peers or coworkers, my age never comes up, unless we just happen to be talking about ages for whatever reason (like talking about Chinese zodiac signs or something). The only time it really came up in college for me or my friends was during a birthday or if we were in a situation where it mattered if people were over 21 or not. People generally assume that everyone is the “normal” age for whatever year of college their in, unless you look noticeably different from that age. But that’s just my experience, and you might have a completely different one. But when I’ve told people I was younger than they thought I was or older than they thought I was (because I’ve had both reactions throughout my life), it’s never really mattered. It’s about how you act. Not how old you are.</p>
<p>I was 17 when I started college…turned 18 at Thanksgiving. I didn’t know the difference since I had been with kids 1 to 2 years older than me my entire school career, first through 12th grade. Once I got past 16 (when I got my driver’s license a year or two after my classmates), it made no difference at all.</p>
<p>My D had mostly exhausted her local HS AP classes in math and science before 9th grade, and went to an academically challenging boarding school rather than early college. She’s been very challenged with college level courses throughout, but has also been comfortable with same age peers. It was a good fit.</p>
<p>I suggest taking a long look at where you will be in 3 or 4 years if you start full time at your small local college. Do they have the academic breadth and depth you need, or would you be better served at a larger, more diverse university for your undergraduate experience?</p>
<p>Given the availability of on-line coursework and home schooling, perhaps including research, shadowing, travel and volunteering will do more for your education than accelerating into full time college? It depends a lot on your resources. Take a look at Davidson scholars, they have family advisors for highly gifted teens to help negotiate these decisions.</p>