BACKGROUND: I live in the U.S. and I will turn 25 years old in a few days.

I am only allowed to dance in the 18-35 age category, while those 36+ can dance in two age categories. As we know, the more you dance (**typically**) the better your chances for placing (especially in comps that give you 1 point/entry). Am I the only one that thinks this is totally unfair?

You could also argue that over-45 dancers (senior2 in international Comps) can dance in 3 categories - amateur, senior 1 and senior2.
The situation arises because older competitors in general would have little chance against young amateurs. Your point about the extra competition experience is a good one, but it's hard to see how the situation can be changed. Sadly, age usually wins the battle against experience.. >

What about under 18?

I know that at some comps the organizers will allow them to dance in the same age category as the 18-35, but typically the under 18 crowd is considered "junior".

It's not the organizer's choice, sanctioning rules say that while those in the younger category and the older categories have their own divisions, they also have the option of dancing the adult division. At most a competition organizer can make them pick a single division to enter at a competition, but usually they can dance in both their own division and adult at the same competition. Many adult events are won by those elgible for the under 21 or even under 18 categories.

I have seen some comps offer a AA category to give the 18-35ers the opportunity to dance two age divisions (as with those in the upper age categories).