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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think my kid would have benefited from a gap year. He refused to consider it, so we'll just have to see how it goes. Academically precocious, but immature socioemotionally. A year of good old fashioned work would have helped him mature, I think.[/quote]

New poster. I feel the same way and have the same type kid. It’s hard for kids who are academically advanced, yet immature to see the value in taking time to work on life skills. But my kid should have taken the time to work or travel.

And to the other posters who say parents  failed to teach life skills, we have tried that. For years, we worked on executive function, organization, street smarts, budgeting, etc. It doesn’t help. My kid is unwilling or incapable of learning these things. For this kid, academics is much easier than keeping money in a bank account, learning these things shuttle schedule, ordering books, etc. 
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I disagree that gap years help the kids with Little Professor Syndrome (ADHD with a touch of autism), which is what you describe. My Little Professor started college without a credit card, didn't do an ounce of paperwork, did not book his own doctor's appointments, etc. Very intellectual and nothing else. I taught him how to do laundry before he moved into his dorm and that's about it. This year at 20 he requested a secure credit card at his bank. He's in Europe now for his study abroad. He's downloaded the app for the public transport, visited lots of places with his cohort, he's done so much compared to when he was a freshman and sophomore. He's grocery shopping and COOKING, for God's sakes, because he has a studio with a kitchen and no cafeteria! Things that would have been unbelievable last year!

It's OK if students start college not knowing all the practical stuff people think they should. They will learn it on the way. A gap year will not hasten the process. The "rate of change" is likely going to be the same wherever you place your kid. Why? Because their brains are built that way. So they will know what to do, but ON THEIR OWN TIME. Therefore, I don't think they should waste their time doing a gap year if their strength is academics...

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