<p>I turn 21 this March and I have applied for fall 2014 as a freshmen.
Thing is, I went through the British system of schooling which is 13 years not 12 and I took 2 gap years..
Does my age have any significant negative impact on my application?</p>
<p>I’m not really sure. It isn’t supposed to. You aren’t yet old enough to be a ‘non traditional’ student, but Columbia, for instance, would encourage you to apply through GSA. Some state schools are purely numbers driven so I very much doubt that would be an issue. The holisitic admissions school will be interested in what you did in your gap years. That’s my thoughts.</p>
<p>@BrownParent Thank you for the reply!
I’m international with financial need which is why i’m not applying to any state schools. Although I am applying to many LACs so that should guarantee a holistic approach. And since i have mostly worked in my Gap years, i have provided each school with a résumé. </p>
<p>Your applications have already been filed, try not to stress about the age issue. Find something to do that will take your mind off college admissions until you actually do begin to receive the replies.</p>
<p>They know schooling outside the US can run longer or on a different annual schedule. What matters more than your age is what you did with the gaps.</p>
<p>@BrownParent – Just as you predicted in your reply about Columbia encouraging non-traditional students to apply through the School of General Studies, I just got an email from them asking me if I want to transfer my application to the School of General Studies. I will most probably decline the change though and hope that my application still gets a fair review.
@happymomof1 and @lookingforward – thank you for the replies!</p>
<p>After the Columbia email, I’m panicking all the more but I guess I’ll just wait and watch.</p>
<p>Before you answer Columbia, you might want to inquire in the Columbia forum for more info. I don’t know that much about it. I think it would be okay for you, but they don’t give the same level of financial aid so that may be an issue. </p>