<p>I'd recommend not focusing too early on any particular list of colleges - there's a lot of growth and development between sophomore year and senior year even when kids don't do something life changing like studying abroad, so the college list might change quite a bit once your son moves along, and, of course, by this time next year you'll have a better picture of what might be good admissions fits as well. So, stay really flexible at this point, and consider a wide range of options.</p>
<p>For example, for someone truly interested in theater, DePaul University's excellent theater conservatory might be a better match than University of Chicago, and Sarah Lawrence's self-directed curriculum and access to NYC might make a much better choice than Amherst. Since you are open to the pacific Northwest, Whitman College in Washington has an excellent theater program and excellent academics and might make a better choice for a theater-type than Reed. If he wants to major in Theater, then St. Johns' may not be the best choice. Great school, but there is NO theater major there.</p>
<p>So, keep things flexible at this point, look at many different possibilites, and wait and see how what your son wants from a college changes and develops over the next year and a half to two years. Almost NO ONE has a "firm" college list until the fall of senior year, and if you've read the "decisions" threads here over the past few weeks, a lot can change even then. </p>
<p>The semester abroad, assuming it is through a reputable program, should not be a negative in college admissions. As already noted, many schools will consider the experience a plus. Just make sure that he will be able to slip back into senior year seamlessly without scheduling problems. Do also check on how the year will be shown on his high school transcript. </p>
<p>Also make sure that he will be able to have opportunities to take the SATs/ACT/Subject tests while he is abroad - you don't want to have to cram that all in during the fall of senior year if at all possible, and he may not be able to show his full potential taking them now, as a sophomore (scores often rise between the end of sophomore and junior years, simply because the student has another year of academic growth and experience). </p>
<p>Finally, keep in mind that your son will probably have a very different set of criteria for colleges after studying abroad, so you may find you have to scramble when he returns to visit colleges over the summer and fall of senior year. </p>
<p>But, the chance to study abroad for a year is a wonderful opportunity -- I wouldn't give it up just out of fear about how it may or may not affect his college plans two years from now. Life should be about MORE than just getting into college. :)</p>