At what age did you start college?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the age at which individuals start college, particularly focusing on those who transition directly from high school. Participants share their personal experiences and observations regarding typical starting ages, as well as cultural differences in educational systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants report starting college at ages ranging from 16 to 23, with many indicating they began at 17 or 18.
  • One participant mentions starting college part-time at 35 and finishing at 41, highlighting non-traditional paths to higher education.
  • There is a discussion about the average starting age in the US, with some suggesting it is typically between 17 and 19.
  • Several participants express opinions on the maturity of younger students, with some arguing that starting college at a younger age can be emotionally stunting.
  • Questions arise regarding the equivalence of "college" in Europe to high school in the US, with various participants providing insights into their respective educational systems.
  • Some participants share anecdotes about friends who were academically gifted but chose to remain in high school longer for social maturity.
  • There is a mention of differing definitions of college and university in the US, with some suggesting that colleges typically offer only bachelor's degrees while universities offer advanced degrees.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the ideal age to start college, with multiple competing views on the implications of starting at a younger age versus the traditional age of 18. The discussion also reflects differing educational structures in various countries, leading to further debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that educational systems vary significantly by country, affecting the age at which students graduate high school and subsequently start college. There are also references to personal circumstances that influence when individuals begin their college education.

What age did you start college?

  • 16

    Votes: 8 20.0%
  • 17

    Votes: 15 37.5%
  • 18

    Votes: 14 35.0%
  • 19

    Votes: 3 7.5%

  • Total voters
    40
  • #31
Technically I thought the difference between a college and a university in the US is that colleges only offer bachelors while universities offer masters (or more). i think some schools though haven't changed the their names, like boston college ( i guess because boston university was already taken), even though they offer advanced degrees.
 
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  • #32
Moonbear said:
Those years between 17 and 21 involve a lot of maturing, whether you're in college or out in the working world, and sending someone out into that environment while they are still just a young adolescent can be very emotionally stunting.
Hopefully that is the case, but I see a lot of people who don't seem to have matured even into their late 20's or 30's. By that, I mean taking responsibility for one's actions and accepting the consequences for poor decisions, particularly without excuses.
 

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