<p>A good friends kid found that after spending a year in Germany on a gap year, he struggled to fit in with the freshman at his large university. He had matured quite a bit in that year and struggled in the freshman res hall scene. In addition to that, since it had been an entire year since he had taken a math class, he struggled mightily in his frosh calc class.</p>
<p>I think a gap year would be a good option, so long as she can make a good plan for what she will do with her time, other than just pondering college options. A fairly common path for people in countries where gap years are almost the norm is to get a job and work all hours for the first half, and then use the money to go travelling for the second half (SE Asia is always a popular destination, though you’ll find people on every continent). </p>
<p>FWIW I took a gap year (followed the above model, but got a working visa for Australia and did a bit of work out there too along the way) and didn’t have any trouble fitting in with people a year younger than me when I returned to start college, or with the work (though I didn’t take maths).</p>
<p>Do you think her experience has made her more mature/sophisticated than her frosh peers?
If so Tulane may offer the best fit.
A gap year may also be a good move.</p>
<p>USC would be a great school for her. My D loves its. If she’s not back to visit before May 1, can you put down mulitiple deposits? At maybe two schools, and then visit when she gets back. I’m not sure technically you’re suppose to but I assume people on waitlist do it. (and I’ve known people to do it) Under the circumstances, losing some non-refundable housing deposits may be worth it.</p>
<p>USCHonor’s college gives great opportunities and is “guaranteed” admit to upper level international business. Maybe you can contact honors or IB and see if they have some students abroad now who could meet up and answer some questions for her. Or maybe set up a skype Q&A with student or honors people.</p>
<p>We lived in Germany for my DD19’s junior and senior years. She did the IB program at an International School. She ended up going to SUNY Binghamton as they are quite generous with IB credits. She had no problem going directly to college after that.</p>
<p>Living abroad truly changes the way you look at the world…perhaps she should consider a college with a diverse student body. If she goes to one where most people are local, then she may be frustrated.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the thoughts. She has read all of them and even though I had previously mentioned taking a gap year, she kind of feels like this year is her gap year and she really doesn’t want to delay college.</p>
<p>I think she really wants to go to GT but it does cost $11k/year or more than all of the others and so many don’t graduate in 4 years. At this point, she is leaning towards Tulane and then possibly going to grad school at GT. I think if she can just decide on one, any one of them and embrace it, she will be happy.</p>