There’s also no assurance they would allow you to live at home - another reason not to ED. Have you spoken to the school to ensure you’d get an exemption. Requesting and receiving are two different things.
Housing Exemptions
New first-year students who are from Dallas may request an exemption from the requirement in order to continue to live at home with parent or guardian. Exemptions may be requested after a student completes the housing application SMU Housing Portal.
Generally a student requests to live at home for one of these reasons, and it may be helpful to know the following:
Disability/Medical reasons: The SMU Disability Accommodation and Success Strategies (DASS) office works with students to determine what a student needs for accommodation in order to live on-campus using medical documentation and federal ADA guidelines. It is recommended students contact DASS regarding their situation for meeting their needs at SMU. (The RLSH office does not accept, review or retain any medical documentation.)
Family reasons: The exemption to live at home is only for students from Dallas who will continue to live at home. Exemption is not available for students from outside of Dallas who want to live with relatives or family friends.
Financial reasons: Approval to live at home may affect a student’s financial aid, so it is recommended students check with their SMU financial aid advisor to see how living at home would affect aid.
Incoming first year students who are married or who are over 21 are not required to live on-campus and should contact us to let us know why they will not live on-campus.
Speaking as someone that has been there done that, DON’T DO IT! I started college shortly after I turned 16 at a small private college 8+hours and a time zone change from home. I only lasted one year and it was the most miserably, lonely year of my life. No one wanted to hang out with a “little kid” my roommate asked for a change because she didn’t want to be an “unpaid babysitter.” I had difficulty completing some of the service requirements for my classes because many agencies required volunteers to be 18. Figure out how to enhance your high school experience and just stick it out, you’ll be a better candidate for med school in the long run.
I don’t know what the rush is, other than you are tired of HS. Graduating after two years can become a liability/hindrance, rather than a strength.
You mentioned both medical school and law school in your previous post. While I think it is early to decide on a career path, it is not too early to volunteer in your community and engage in your interests. For example- our town has a volunteer ambulance program for HS students. We also have politicians and legal aid organizations that encourage HS students to volunteer.
That is the route I would recommend. Good luck with your decision!
My daughter is currently a sophomore at Austin College. Feel free to send me a PM/DM. Am happy to share info with your parents about my daughter’s experience so far there. She’s really happy there and is a pre-health student.
