I agree with CAMom and Cricket2: I'm actually thinking the gap year thing might be a plus, not a minus for finishing earlier than the norm. Think of the opportunities! Foreign travel. If you have a science-minded kid, there's time for some research. If you have a service-oriented kid, he could work for or even create a non-profit. If the child is an entrepreneur, she could start a business. A writer could write.

So many really amazing possibilities...

Kriston