<p>Defer from either Wellesley or Grinnell, and go for the gap year! It’s rather common for college students to take a year off somewhere in there. You would have to check at either college if they would let you take college credit elsewhere during your gap year though. The last thing you want to be is “unfocused” when you enter the college class room.</p>
<p>At Wellesley, there is the Davis Scholar Program for women > 24 who haven’t received their bachelor degree yet. Therefore, you will hardly be the oldest student in the classroom. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>