UCann't

I have been reading a lot of articles about Colin Carlson - a 13 year old UConn student - and his fight against the university to let him study in South Africa this summer with other students. UC said no. Carlson's mother hired a lawyer to sue for age discrimination. Blah blah.

The kid is a genius, no doubt about that. I had a class with him where he questioned the professor teaching it several times. You don't do that. He claims that he is on the same emotional maturity level as other college students.

AW HELL NO.







does NOT =






Not only is he not on the same maturity level, he is also MUCH smarter than most of the kids he takes classes with. He has no friends his age and no friends at school (unless you count his older teacher/mentor). I feel bad for the kid. Who can he relate to? I rely on my friends for everything! College is a place to learn how to be independent and come into your own. This kid talks to his mom via walkie talkie in between classes...

Kid: Hi mom, just got out of class.
Mom: Okay, did you get your test back?
Kid: Yeah, got 100%! Class average was 58%.
Mom: Ruined the curve, yet again.

Not that I studied abroad, but I think half the fun of studying abroad is learning about the local culture and immersing yourself in it. If I was studying abroad, I would not want a 13 year old kid tagging along just because he is smart enough to. After reading the articles, it seems like he is quite arrogant. He said (when talking about going on the trip): "I'm actually like any other student, he said. "The faculty and students have better things to do than worry about a 13-year-old holding his own." Umm you are NOT like other students. I did not challenge you to a keg stand or steal your pitcher before last call for 50-cent pitchers or handcuff myself to you during spring weekend.

Have a childhood. How can he become independent when he can't even drive or vote and talks to his mom via walkie talkie after class? UConn is right-- way too young for this. And hey, in life, you can't always do what you want. Life is not fair! Just because you are a super genius does not mean you can do as you please. I bet in 5 years he will be graduated, working in a lab, and his only friends will be his colleagues who are thirty years older.

Of course I do not wish that upon him, but kids like him don't have normal social skills!

Maybe I'm a little jealous of how smart he is... But then I realize I have friends, I have a job, I have semi-normal people skills and can talk to a wall if needed, I can drive, I am independent, and I use a Blackberry, not walkie talkies.

GO UCONN WOMEN IN THE TOURNEY!!!!!