Should Students Take a “Gap Year” After High School?

Gap years, once mostly associated with British and Australian students traveling the globe, have become more common among American students. A gap year is the year between high school and college; traditionally, it has been seen as an opportunity for travel or volunteer work before the work of college begins. Certain colleges have spoken in favor of gap years (Harvard and Princeton included–and Malia Obama is taking advantage of Harvard’s policy), and many now have policies allowing for deferred admission for students taking a gap year.

So is a gap year right for you? Here are some questions to consider if you’re interested in pursuing this opportunity.

1. What are your plans for the gap year? If you have concrete plans (a program or specific travel goals), then we are much more supportive of a gap year. We would encourage you to really think through your long-term goals and assess whether the plans you have for your gap year help you achieve those goals.
2. What are your motivations for taking a gap year? There is no right or wrong answer here, but you should have a very clear idea of why you want to take a year off. If your main reason is that you don’t like school and want a break, we think that gap years can be rather dangerous. You may not want to return to school after your time away, and even if you do return, it may be a struggle to get back into the academic routine. If you know a college degree is the ultimate goal, it can be better to just push through and perhaps take some time to travel or volunteer after college graduation. On the other hand, if you are hoping to find out more about yourself and the world, and you are confident that you will want to pursue college after the gap year, then a gap year can be very refreshing and gratifying.
3. What are your college application plans? Gap years can make the application process more complicated. In general, we recommend applying for college as a senior even if you plan on taking a gap year. Research the schools you are interested in and see which ones will allow you to defer admission to accommodate gap year plans. If your chosen schools do not allow for deferrals, you must be very aware of deadlines and requirements during your year off to make sure you are all set to return to school the following year.

Do NOT take a gap year thinking that it will make your college application more competitive. Colleges look mostly at academic records, so taking a year off to travel around Asia might make you a more interesting person, but it won’t likely swing the admissions team your way.

In the end, we want students to think this through as thoroughly as possible. You might be reading tons of positive stories about gap years, but we have found that much of this positive press comes from companies that offer gap year programs–so beware of bias! To get a less biased opinion, try connecting with students who have actually taken gap years, and try talking to the admissions office at your chosen college as well. Thoughtful and deliberate planning and research will give you the best sense of whether taking a gap year is the right move.

Need help adjusting your college application plans to accommodate a gap year? Our college planners can assist you in navigating the process. Call us at 720-216-2222 to make an appointment.