It is true that most airlines would only see you being young as an advantage i.e you can work for them for longer. It is not the age but the maturity that counts. I got my Frozen ATPL at just turned 19 had 20 months looking for work, not the age just a bad time for recruitment. I was flying commercially ATR42/72 just before my 21st.
There was one guy at an interview once that said 3 times in 45mins despite the replies "I have never interviewed a 19 year old before" and " my son is 2 years older than you and all he does is sit on his backside or sleep"( he must have been a pilot)
Needless to say I didn't get a job with that outfit, not that I was too disappointed.
The only thing I would say is that if you are considering uni I would do it. Not for the further education but for the misbehaving aspect. After you have been working for a few years you will look back on your young and carefree days with fondness. So try and make them last as long as you can. God I'm starting to sound old! If you do go to uni you will still have at least 37 years of flying, but while your up there in the cruise you can remind yourself of Jenny, Tracy, Paula, Shelley, lisa, Helen, etc. from your days of living in uni halls.
Either way GOOD LUCK in whatever you decide, and enjoy!!
Regards le loup garou <img src="wink.gif" border="0">