<p>I think if you take a gap year and spend time living Chinisau, Moldova; Brasov, Romania, or in Bangalore,your perspective about “brand name” colleges might change. </p>
<p>If you are parents are supportive and it feels right for you, take the gap year internship for the sake of personal growth and experience… not with the goal of padding your college application resume. And then spend some time thinking about what schools might have programs that are a good fit for teenager who would be intrigued by the opportunity to live and work in Chinisau, Moldova; Brasov, Romania, or in Bangalore. You might realize that your dream schools weren’t going to take you on the path you are meant to travel anyway. </p>
<p>(Note: I managed to deal with an independent-minded daughter intent on international travel from an early age … but I think I might have freaked out if she had presented me with that particular list at age 18. So you might want to start by asking your parents’ opinions on the gap year idea). </p>