<p>Since your DS is small for his grade, as he is a multiple-year grade-skip, you should be aware that at the top tier BS, it is fairly common for students to “repeat” a grade, especially boys. This is a deliberate strategy on the part of the parts to give theirs kids (usually) boys a maturity and size advantage (especially for athletes). Universtiies do not view this "repeating " at BS as a negative, as the repeat kids aren’t really repeating the same work, but taking ability-appropriate course.</p>
<p>The presence of many repeats (and it is a fair percentage of the student body) could exacerbate the age-gap and size-gap issue for your son. Our 14 year DS was taken aback by the number of 16 year olds in his class when he entered as a freshman. </p>
<p>You should weigh the benefit of having your own DS apply as a repeat, to give him time to catch up socially, physically. Again,he would not be repeating the same coursework. I would discuss this option when u talk to prospective schools.</p>
<p>If you do a SEARCH on this board, there was a lengthy thread not too long ago about “repeat” students/ academic red-shirting. This option may seem crazy to you, as your son has been moved grad-wise up, rather than down. But I think it is well worth it to at least read about and have a think about it, before dismissing it out of hand. In retropect, we wish we had considered it for own own DS.</p>
<p>As previous posters have mentioned, the issue I see w junior colleg for your son, is his already young age and size, and the maturity & social issues that come w that. BS is a much more supervised and nurturing environment.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>