The Gap Year

The Gap Year

“It is a time to step back and reflect, to gain perspective on personal values and goals or to gain needed life experience in a setting separate from and independent of one’s accustomed pressures and expectations.” – William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions at Harvard University

What’s a gap year?

President Obama’s daughter, Malia, is taking a year off after graduating from high school before attending Harvard University as part of an expanding program for students known as a “gap year.” Many colleges are encouraging the delayed entry to give students time to recharge after the stress of high school and build upon life or work experiences with a structured program or volunteer work, part-time employment or travel and internships in foreign countries. Some things to know about a gap year:

How it works

Not all universities allow it, and policies and programs vary. Upon receiving the admissions letter, a student may request delaying their entry for a year – or, in less frequent cases, two years – outlining what he or she plans to do during their time off.

Growing interest

Gap years have long been popular in Europe, and more recently have begun to gain traction in the U.S. There are no official statistics kept on participation, but the Portland, Ore.-based American Gap Association found in surveys it conducted that about 30,000 – 40,000 students each year take advantage of the program. It said participation in 2015 increased about 22% from the previous year. Still the percentages of students who defer admissions for a year remains generally 1% or less of an admitted class.

What some typically do

Many students opt to spend some time abroad studying, learning foreign languages or volunteering with non-profit groups, according to a 2015 report by the American Gap Association, which cited students’ desire to experience personal growth, see the world and take a break from the traditional academic track. Popular destinations for students, according to the group, were parts of Central and South America, Israel, India and Australia. But many students also report doing volunteer or political campaign work, taking classes, traveling or doing outdoor adventures in different regions of the United States.

Advantages

Students who took a gap year typically say they entered college feeling more recharged and focused, while universities say those students often arrive on campus as better leaders – more civically engaged and motivated.

Limitations

In part due to cost, students who take a gap year typically come from higher-income households, according to the American Gap Association. But Ethan Knight, executive director of the group, notes that some schools, including Tufts University, Florida State University and the University of North Carolina, have begun to offer some forms of financial aid to give cash-strapped students exposure to a broader range of experiences before college as well.

For more information about gap years, visit the American Gap Association.