Parents Permission for College

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: New Hampshire

First off, I know this is a weird question. However, I'm going to ask it anyway. Legally, do I have to do what my parents tell me to do pertaining college? When I graduate high school, I will be 17 years old but by the time I actually attend college, I will be 18 years old. I know listening to their advice is important, which I am. But they (or more specifically, one of them) seem dead-set on a specific major (which I do not want to pursue), commuting and certain colleges. So I am legally obligated to do what they say...?

Hi Reese,

Wow, you're definitely mature for your age!

Once you are 18....you should be free to make your own decisions. However - if your family is dead set against your major, you may have to pay for classes yourself, if they choose to not support your goal. Don't be discouraged - you'd have to work and go to school, but many people do that. It's not easy, but it is fully possible. It may take longer than you would like, but it can be done. You can still apply for FAFSA, but any payment on your family end would have to come from you.

It could cause a rift though. I would sit down and have a talk and explain what your goals are and why. Research it thoroughly and be able to answer questions. Research the job market for your chosen field, expected income, etc. (You can hit CraigsList.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com) to get a realistic idea of what the career field you want would pay. But remember....often, a large paycheck doesn't mean happiness, and they need to realize that you may be happier being (for an example) a pre-school teacher rather than a heart surgeon. And a person in a career field they don't want to be in tend to have worse grades and general unhappiness, and higher turn-over in the workforce.

Right now...I'd get a job and start saving all you can (if you don't already).

were you being sarcastic when you said "Wow, you're definitely mature for your age! " ?

Not at all. You really are mature. We see a lot of teens here who cannot even type a sentence. Many teens and adults who do not want to take responsibility for any of their criminal actions.

You are really a gem to see here. You're curious, interested, and focused on college.

No way was I being sarcastic. Actually, I would love to read updates from you.

Well, my parents have already said they might not be able to fund my college expenses, so I don't think they really have say in at all. You know what's pretty funny? You mentioned a pre-school teacher, and that's what I was considering being, or an elementary school teacher.

So overall, I don't have to legally obey them with decisions about college even though I'll be a minor until right before I start college?

The very second you turn 18, you have no legal obligation to do anything they say.

The flip side is, the very second you turn 18, they have no legal obligation to provide one dime to your support.

I don't have the expertise to answer that, but once you are 18, you are an adult.

You could talk to your high school counselor about it, and how best to approach your parents to discuss your career goals with them.

That is pretty funny I posted that. It was just an example. But really, think of the influence a teacher has on so many lives. My 5th grade teacher is one of my FaceBook friends. I was in his class when I was 11 and now I'm 40!

And from a practical point of view, the basic college coursework is the same no matter WHAT your major is - you still have to have minimal levels of math, science, social sciences, statistics, etc. No reason you can't start out declaring whatever major your parents favor, taking the classes that are required, and electives, then, after finishing the "basics", change your major to what you have your heart set on, somewhere in mid second year. People change majors all the time, and as long as you're not waiting until the last 2 semesters before college graduation, it shouldn't be an issue. If the 'rents see you doing well in your first few semesters, they may soften a bit as to further support with the new major later down the line.

You can also knock out up to 45 credits with credit by exam from things like CLEP and DSST exams, and both speed up the college process, and drastically reduce the time needed to earn your degree.

that's another thing, my mom doesn't believe people should change majors. she thinks it's stupid.

So what? We've already established that once you're 18, you don't need to do what she says anymore.

For a lot of majors, you don't even have to declare until the beginning of your junior year.