<p>Which colleges like applicants who have studied abroad for a full academic year in high school? My kid studied in Italy for a year, lived with an Italian family and learned the language through immersion. Am I correct in assuming a liberal arts college that teaches Italian is going to value this experience more than most state universities?</p>
<p>I’m not sure because I did the same thing and I’ve had numerous people at different schools in admission offices tell me it set me apart but they were all pretty big schools</p>
<p>My daughter is in Germany this entire academic year (sophomore) and I am wondering the same. Please, anyone with experience or tips, do post. Thanks.</p>
<p>I think it shows outstanding initiative, a sense of advanture and intellectual curiosity, unusual maturity-what’s not to like? Any school will value a student who has successfully undertaken a challenge like study abroad. And I foresee some great personal essays coming out of the experience as well.</p>
<p>I spent my HS junior year abroad in Germany. This was years ago (many,many) :o), but I found that colleges were very impressed that I took the initiative at such a young age to do so. M’s Mom is correct that your children will have some great essays to write.</p>
<p>Colleges that factor more than stats into admission will be impressed. Public universities in general make admissions decisions overwhelmingly on stats and state of residence. </p>
<p>The colleges that most use things like what your D has experienced are the top colleges in the country because those have such an overabundance of high stat applicants that those colleges can pick and choose from that outstanding pool the students more likely to contribute to creating an active student body that reflects all kinds of diversity (including ECs, majors, etc.)</p>
<p>Your D’s experiences may help her get merit aid at some colleges that offer that.</p>