College is not like high school. Take full advantage of it. Also, community college (at least the one near my HS) is like HS with harder courses. College wher

College is not like high school. Take full advantage of it. Also, community college (at least the one near my HS) is like HS with harder courses. College where you live away from home is completely different. Some other points: 1) You'll meet amazing people. Other students and professors. It maybe the only time you can do this in such a casual environment. 2) You can ease into living alone, i.e. without your parents. Its not that easy to get used to and during college can do it halfway. I.e. you have to buy your own food but don't have to pay bills/taxes right away. 3) You will learn things you don't even know exist now. 4) Lots of people won't take you seriously without a college degree. You may think that if you do good work you'll be fine, but sadly thats not true. As an example, most HR people look at each resume for 7 - 10 seconds. If you don't have a degree, they'll dump it. (Note: I know you are interested in startups, but this is just an example). 5) You can learn non-CS things as well. Even if you don't care now, you'll regret skipping the opportunity to do it later. 6) There's a reason people call it the best time of their lives. 7) Great place to meet girls (or guys, whatever). I'd say go to college, find some great professors, let them know what your interests are and they'll help you get into them. Also, learn everything you can about CS and other topics, join a bunch of clubs, learn how to dance or sing, go to frat parties, etc... You only get once chance to do this. I was just talking to someone who regretted graduating a year early because of the experiences she missed. You'll really regret this later if you don't go to college. You mention elsewhere that you can join as a junior. Don't do that. Instead, get a second major or two minors or something.