Six years ago when I turned 18, I saw no advantage for me to stay in junior leagues.  Very, very little scholarship money was available in local tournaments, I wasn't good enough to win anything outside of my local area, almost no colleges around me had bowling teams (heck, my high school only had one my junior year, and that was only because I did most of the work recruiting people for it), etc.  I went up to adult leagues as soon as I was 18 and started winning jackpots, had more fun bowling against more than two or three other people at my talent level, etc.  I don't regret it at all -- I hated the youth bowling stuff around me.

Seven years ago when I turned 18, I thought about going adult and I'm glad I didn't. I started getting into more youth tournaments in my area and the neighboring states. For like 4 years I drove up and down the northern East coast doing youth tournaments. Had a lot of fun, made some good friends and made some scholarship money on top of it.

Even when I went adult at 22, there was a huge difference in bowling with the kids and bowling with the adults. Not too many youth come out and start kicking butt right away. You will have to work on it and it may take some time before you really find a good groove.

But everyone has their own experiences and their own circumstances. You have to decide whats right for you.

As far as moving up, you don't have to do anything that anyone doesn't have to do. Show up, join a team, fill out your sanction card. Any money awarded prior to then as scholarship money is still yours to use as permitted, as long as you use it by the "expiration date" set by USBC. Think I still have money that is good till 2009.
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First one to leave 15 ten pins wins!