Why not explore getting into the business of real estate as you suggested while still pursuing some type of formal education? 

Most formal courses though really just get into basics.

Can recieving all my rental income form all my properties in one chunk, be used against me to unseparate liability from one property to another?

This includes if the seller is retaining a direct or indirect ownership or possessory interest in the property and/or has a formal or informal option to obtain such as interest in the future.5.

I'm on great terms with my in-laws and I am just helping out so there is no formal property management agreement.

If saving money to invest in real estate is your goal, you may want to delay college a bit, or use your REI profits to fund your formal education!

I would like to move to an apartment by myself without kicking out paying tenants, but not sure if it should even be mentioned since the basement is not technically a living space, and assuming an underwriter would suggest that I just kick out the roommates if I want my own apartment.2) Can I legally switch my current apartment into an investment property by having my current roommates sign a formal lease for the apartment (right now we are all informally living together - they are friends of mine)? 

I directly talk to the owner and emailed her a formal offer for $50,000 all cash. 

I am going to say this and when I do it is not purely out of self interest.Note Newbies need formal training. 

The value of your personal sphere, formal and informal, cannot be overstated.