<p>Hi. I am a junior in high school in California, and I am fairly confident with my grades and SAT score that I could get into a fairly good college right out of school. I also play a large amount of hockey, but until recently I have had trouble catching my size up to my skill. I therefore feel as if the end of high school would be a good time to go play hockey abroad, and see whether or not that could lead to any road in terms of college hockey. My question is, how would taking this gap year effect my chances of getting into a UC or a college of the sorts, if playing hockey abroad led nowhere? I want to take this step towards my dream, but because it is a long-shot, I do not want to jeopardize my chances of getting into an above-average school.</p>
<p>It won’t affect it. People take gap years all the time, and in Europe the majority does. If you can demonstrate a very good use of your time it will help you app, not hurt it.</p>
<p>One thing to keep in mind re recruited hockey playersk is that many colleges commit to. Them as high school seniors, they then defer to do the club hockey thing and go to the college a year later. It may be difficult not to be part of that cycle.</p>