<p>Do you think there would be any disadvantages to starting college at 19 due to spending a year as a foreign exchange student? My son could possibly compact high school into 3 years so that he could do an exchange and still start at 18 but if he did so he would not be able to do all the AP courses that interest him. His sister is a Rotary exchange student and he would like to do NSLY-I or Rotary.</p>
<p>A girl from my college did that when she was in H.S. She’s now a Fulbright scholar.</p>
<p>I’m sold on exchange programs- I was an AFS student in the '80’s. I’m just not sure whether there are any disadvantages to starting college at 19. My daughter and I were a year ahead so we still started (will start) college at the typical age. I wonder if my son would feel out of place as a college freshman if he turned 20 in the fall.</p>
<p>I haven’t heard of colleges awarding credit for a gap year HS exchange.</p>
<p>My D did two Rotary exchages-she was lucky, as this is not possible in many districts. Ours is very organized, and could send her both junior year and gap year. I’d say, why rush HS in 3 years? Aside from getting them off the parental dole sooner, I can’t think of a better way to spend time than getting educated, whether on exchange, or exploring interests in HS. </p>
<p>I was a bit concerned about my D starting college a year late, but it seems to not be an issue in the slightest. If anything, she was certainly more worldly, and ready to assume the responsibilities of college. </p>
<p>With Rotary, they are repeating HS again, whether graduated at home or not. But in S. America, after a semester of HS, she was able to go to a local college with other exchangers to take a few classes. I didn’t count for anything on her return here, but was a good way to pass the time and gain language fluency. </p>
<p>The biggest disadvantage to us, is that my girls are twins, and we may take a financial hit with aid senior year with only one in college.</p>