<p>This is my first post ever on this forum, so excuse any issues with my post/etc. </p>
<p>So, here are my circumstances:
-I am a 16-year old high school senior (Class of 2014), having skipped two grades.
-I am currently applying EA to a variety of schools across the country (Univ. of Southern California, Indiana U Bloomington, and Hampshire college are up there), hoping to double major in philosophy and music.
-I maintain a 3.75 Weighted GPA and got a 34 on my ACT (I am not sending in my SAT to colleges), and I have gotten 4's and 5's on all of my AP tests to date.
-I am involved in a variety of activities in and out of my high school; I play multiple instruments, I am captain of my high school's quiz bowl team, and I am a competitive Rubik's Cube solver (I average about 12 seconds)</p>
<p>So, basically, getting into college is not the issue. However:
-My parents, teachers, and even I agree that it would not be in my best interest to attend college next year at 16 (I'm an October baby), for social and emotional reasons
-I am getting sick and tired of the outdated sit-in-a-classroom-and-get-lectured education system - I want to apply myself to things I am interested in. I don't how much that will change after high school, which is why Hampshire College is close to the top of my list.
-I have searched for a program for gifted students who are graduating high school early, but there are none that I know of.
-Most of the general gap year programs I have seen involve rigorous, structured courses about gen-ed something-or-other. While that is all fine and good, that is not what I am looking for. I am looking for a more relaxed, yet intriguing gap year journey that provides me with experience and lifelong memories, and not just some college credits or community service hours. </p>
<p>I am really looking to settle on something soon. All of your help is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>My daughter is a 16-year-old senior as well. She’s been in an alternative program where she takes mostly community college classes since beginning of 11th grade. It has a much different feel from a regular high school and she’s enjoyed the experience. She’s still quite eager to head off to the university next fall. We fully support her choice and believe she’ll do well but we had encouraged her to at least consider a gap year.</p>
<p>In her case, there are some great local internships inline with her passions that she’d have access to if she chose to stay. That might be something for you to consider. Travel is a difficultly at your age as you can’t rent a car and you can’t check into hotels without a legal adult. However, if you have any relatives in interesting places that might be an option. You might look into some sort of structured abroad program or if you are female, look at the travel/service programs Girl Scouts offers. You’d still be of age to participate. </p>
<p>If you are a musician, working part-time and starting a performance group could be a very good experience. Try some different things like be a pit player for a musical at a local theatre. How about putting together an album and get some studio time to record. </p>
<p>Start with a list of personal goals for a year and then search for different ways to reach them.</p>
<p>Look into a year abroad with YFU or NACEL. That would be a challenge since you’d attend class in a completely different system in a different language, would discover a new culture, etc. but it wouldn’t really"count" since you’d be admitted to college already
(you’re a shoo-in for Hampshire; if you like Hampshire, look into Oberlin’s ExCo.)</p>
<p>Lifelong memories are made with friends. If your friends are all still in HS, while you are not, I don’t really see any strong memories you’ll make. Therefore I would second the trip to Europe.</p>