Gap Year: Take A Break Before Starting College
Does the thought of taking a year off before starting college sound like a
desirable and welcome choice for you? After thirteen years of school, you
may need a break from your studies.
What would you do? What do you like to do? What do you enjoy?
Here are some suggestions:
Community Service
Volunteer Work
Foreign Exchange Program
Travel
Work
Internship
Postgraduate year
Explore career interests
If you decide to take a “gap year” before starting college, it is best to apply
to college during your senior year of high school. After you receive an
acceptance to the college, you can request to have the acceptance
deferred for one year. Most private colleges will allow you to do that. Some
public colleges, such at the University of California campuses, will ask you
to reapply.
It is much easier to get letters of recommendation from teachers while you
are a student at the high school. If you do not have any idea of where you
want to apply, you could get some teachers to write you a letter and save it
for a year or leave the sealed letter with your Guidance Office. Students
normally do not see letters of recommendation.
It is much more difficult to apply to college if you are in another country.
However, with the Internet, it is easier to do now. You will most likely miss
out on some scholarships and nominations unless your high school has
a good web site with this information.
Advantages of Taking A Year Off:
You may be tired of school.
You may want to do something to enhance your college application.
You will appreciate education more if you take a break.
Disadvantages of Taking A Year Off:
You may decide not to further your education.
If you are in another country, it may be more difficult to apply to college.
You will not have the support of your Guidance Counselor to help you
through the college process.
Your teachers may forget who you are.
Websites:
www.gapyear.com Information on various programs around the world.
www.dynamy.org A nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts. It
offers Outward Bound experiences and community activities.
www.leapnow.org/leap year Lifelong Education Alternatives & Programs.
Books:
Taking A Gap Year by Susan Griffith
Taking Time Off by Colin Hall and Ron Lieber
Summer Opportunities for Kids and Teenagers by Peterson's
Foreign Exchange Programs:
Youth for Understanding www.youthforunderstanding.org
Rotary Exchange Program Contact local Rotary chapter
Experiment in International Living www.usexperiment.org
CIEE Council on International Education www.councilexchanges.org
AIFS Foundation www.academicyear.org
ASSE International Student Exchange www.asse.com
Gap Year: Taking a Break Before College
