Thanks for the response.

My social situation. Hmm. In the past year, I've gained social skills, so I have a lot of friends - however, I have no problem maintaining contacts or gaining new friends. I feel that while my current friends are very important to me, I could make new friends easily (while keeping in touch with high school friends as well).

I think that my parents do not need the extra year to save for college.

I'm interested more in your point about being over 18. I'd be 17 for the first year of college - but where would that limit me? Where are binding contracts necessary? What complications are there?

Thanks.