I guess I would suggest that not all schools offer that kind of freshman year option that @buuzn03 kid had, and for DD3, I wanted that kind of option. (Which meant most of the schools from DD2’s list last year were not great options for DD3 when she created her list this year.)
In other words: a freshman year like that IS possible at some fantastic, rigorous schools, and that fact surprised (and delighted) me this year.