why take a gap year essay

The Gap Year Essay: Pros and Cons

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Looking for a gap year essay example? This argumentative essay describes all the pros and cons of taking a gap year before college.

Introduction

• Pros of taking a gap year
• Cons of taking a gap year

There is an ongoing debate on whether high school graduates should take a year off (a gap year) before joining college. A gap year is a break from formal education and controlled environment that is otherwise monotonous and exhausting. Gap year is common in European countries and also in Australia and it is quickly catching up in America. It is an idea that even the most prestigious colleges and universities are getting fond of and thus encourage high school leavers to try it out.

Gap Year Pros

After completing high school, students tend to suffer from ‘information overload’ and exhaustion (Naomi, 2008). A year off may be helpful to such a person who has had an academic burnout and can use some time out to ‘recharge his or her academic battery’. The gap year will present the student with a chance to refresh his system and get a renewed energy which he will use to face the next phase of education.

Another reason as to why taking a year off is important is the fact that the person is able to build on some self confidence and their maturity level. Even top level universities are encouraging school leavers to take a year off since they reckon that those who do so, bring good values to the institution since they have had a taste of ‘outside life’ and will have a serious perspective towards life.

It is believed that those who take a gap year will be more focused and ready to face the more taxing institution of higher education. It is usually encouraged that students taking the gap year do so in a manner that will help them add some experience in a working environment while earning some money. They may also look for an internship which will help them have a feel of an organization and how it operates thus the student will make their curriculum vitae more appealing (William, 2000).

A gap year also offers chance for the high school leaver to do a thorough university search where he will look for the right institution that offers the course that he wants to engage himself in. The year off presents the school leaver with a chance to find the academic forte that he is most comfortable with. While enjoying a gap year, the school leaver will decide on what he or she wants to major in and this in turn will help them become more focused when joining university.

A school leaver may also spend his gap year travelling around hence broadening his horizon. By travelling abroad, the school leaver may discover new talents, gain new skills, learn new languages and visit various historical sites and this will help him have a diverse and broader perspective of life and thus make him more serious and focused when he gets to university.

Travelling abroad will also help the school leaver mingle with people of different races and cultures, a factor that helps them understand and appreciate diversity. This turns out to be very helpful to the high school leaver since he will encounter a multiracial and multicultural environment in the university and can therefore easily adapt, settle and start learning (Shellenbarger, 2010)).

A high school leaver who takes a gap year has a better chance of handling the peer pressure in the university. Because the high school leaver who was previously under the careful watch of his parents, will now be left on his own and thus the leaver who enjoyed his gap year travelling or being on an attachment will have built his self confidence and hence will tend to fight off peer pressure unlike the school leaver who joins university immediately where he will be hit by the reality of ‘first true freedom’ (World Inhabit, 2007).

Gap Year Cons

Besides the fact that taking a gap year will help to refresh the school leaver’s system, the gap year may also turn out to be disastrous towards the student and his career. This usually happens when the high school leaver fails to plan properly his schedule for the year off. Mostly, the high school leavers will waste a whole year and may not gain any helpful experience.

A mismanaged gap year may turn out to be too expensive to the high school leaver and, hence, deplete resources leaving him with insufficient funds to join university. Taking a gap year may result in a higher university budget as tuition fees tend to increase annually. William (2000) notes that “engaging in a gap year may result in the student missing a slot in the university especially in courses that are competitive”.

Also taking a year off may at times make the student lose momentum on studying and this may cause him a drop out of college or take a longer time to complete his course than expected. A gap year may lead to the high school leaver being demoralized by trailing his fellow classmates during the whole year (Sanjou, 2008).

A person who takes a gap year may fail to develop good skills and habits that may affect and help in his career and consequently fail to fit in the taxing university environment. A high school leaver who takes a gap year may enjoy real freedom having a time of his life and may find it very difficult to come in terms with reality that may end up by failing to join the university (Eunson, 2008).

Taking a year off may consequently lead to a delay in the beginning of a person’s career which means that the person will start earning at a later stage in life than he was supposed to. Also there are companies which plan trips for the school leavers thus reducing their level of self responsibility and thus don’t help build self confidence since they plan everything for the school leavers who should instead be doing things on their own to help build their confidence (College Confidential, 2010).

A high school graduate should consider the options he or she has when choosing whether or not to take up a gap year. The individual through numerous consultations with his parents, school counselors and sponsors should weigh between the pros and cons of taking up a gap year or not.

Ultimately, the decision lies in the high school leaver’s hands. This means that should the school leaver decide that he needs a break from academic pressure, he should ensure that he spends his gap year productively in a manner that will help boost his career path. A year off that is well spent by the school leaver can help boost a person’s confidence and maturity level. He will have a broader perspective of life and hence will give the university the seriousness it deserves once he gets enrolled.

Many universities in Europe and currently in the United States have come to appreciate the importance of taking a year off. Reports made by a number of university deans show that most people who take a gap year before joining university usually have a higher degree of seriousness, maturity and understanding than those who join university immediately after high school.

College Confidential. (2010). Pros and Cons of Gap Year . Web.

Eunson, B. (2008). Communicating in the 21st century 2nd edition . New York: John Wiley.

Naomi, G. (2008). The college gap year. Advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year. CA: Sage.

Sanjou .G. (2008). Taking a year off is advantageous . New York: John Wiley.

Shellenbarger, S. ( 2010). Delaying College to Fill in the Gaps . Wall Street Journal.

William, F. (2000). Time out or Burn Out for the Next generation. New York, NY: McGraw Hill/Irwin.

World Inhabit. (2007). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking a Gap Year. Web.

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Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year Before College

A gap year is a period of time between high school and college when students take a break from their studies to pursue other activities, which could include travel, work or volunteering. Although interest in taking a gap year has risen, the COVID-19 pandemic makes it a complicated decision.

We spoke with Dr. Adam Weyhaupt, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Fontbonne, and Mary Giunta, College and Career Counselor at Affton High School , about the pros and cons students should consider before taking a gap year.

Why are more students considering taking a gap year this fall?

Although some colleges and universities have announced plans to hold classes on campus in the fall, many uncertainties involving the coronavirus, schooling and large gatherings remain.

“The future is largely unknown,” Giunta said. “Some students are thinking about taking a gap year because they don’t know what will happen this upcoming semester.”

Other students are reluctant to take classes exclusively online.

“The experiences students had this spring varied greatly,” Weyhaupt said. “Some high schools did a great job transitioning their students to online classes, while others struggled. The students who had a negative experience might not want to go through that again.”

How can students benefit from taking a gap year?

For many students, a gap year offers the opportunity to gain skills and experiences while also providing time to reflect and focus on what they want to do next.

“The gap year can be a great time to not only find yourself and try something new, but also prepare for college ,” Giunta said. “Students use the time to volunteer, work or take on an internship to figure out what they are passionate about and what they want to get out of their future careers.”

Other students understand that after they graduate college and start a job, they may never have another chance to take a whole year to expand their horizons.

“For some, this is the ideal point to do things they might not be able to do later in life, such as going abroad or even spending quality time with their families,” Weyhaupt said.

What are some potential drawbacks?

Taking a gap year not only means you start college a year late, but also that you finish college a year late, postponing pursuit of your career .

“One of the biggest negatives is lost earning potential,” Weyhaupt said. “Delaying even one year of increased wages from having a college degree will have a cumulative effect over your lifetime.”

Students who decide to take a gap year could also lose academic momentum.

“After high school, you are accustomed to going to class, studying, taking tests and writing papers,” Weyhaupt said. “Your study skills could suffer if they are not used for a year.”

Students should also consider the ways COVID-19 could impact their gap year plans.

“Many international borders remain closed, and jobs and internships are harder to come by,” Giunta said. “The coronavirus has placed significant limitations on what students can do and accomplish during their gap years.”

Are there any alternatives?

There are myriad options for students who are not sure if a gap year is right for them, but who are also hesitant to start college full-time.

“Taking only a few courses per semester allows students to try college while also giving them the flexibility to work, volunteer or travel,” Weyhaupt said. “There are some extremely engaging online courses students can pursue, and many universities will have extensive face to face options available for students.”

What advice would you give to students considering a gap year?

According to Giunta, the most important factor in choosing to take a gap year is making a plan of action.

“Figure out what you want to learn and experience,” Giunta said. “Do you plan to travel, volunteer or work? Whatever you decide to do, set a goal, draft an actionable plan for how to accomplish it, and stick to it.”

Weyhaupt suggests students do their research before making a choice.

“Think carefully, and go into it with your eyes wide open,” Weyhaupt said. “Understand the pros and cons of taking a gap year, and don’t assume things will be like they were in the spring. Responsible schools have spent many months planning to ensure the fall semester goes as smoothly as possible.”

Looking for more tips? Check out our other resources!

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More From Forbes

Here's every reason you should take a gap year before college.

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Most college-bound kids approach high school graduation with excitement and some trepidation. After all, it’s becoming harder and harder to know what exactly to study these days, and which degrees will lead to long-term careers. Technology may eliminate more jobs than it creates over the next few decades — and advanced automation is primed to wipe out entire industries altogether. At the same time, 18-year-olds are increasingly asked to commit to spending six figures or more for nothing more than a bachelor’s degree.

Worse, kids are asked to select a college major that could impact their entire life at a time when they barely know who they are or where they’re going. For this reason, it might make more sense for young people to choose to take a year off to learn more about the world — and maybe even more about themselves. This time is typically referred to as a gap year.

Photo Credit: Getty

What Is A Gap Year?

According to the Gap Year Association  (yes, there really is a thing), a gap year is “a semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one's practical, professional, and personal awareness."

In other words, gap years provide young people with time and space to learn about themselves and the world — much of which they haven’t seen or experienced as a child living in their parent’s home.

Unfortunately, there’s a stigma surrounding taking time off after high school to travel. Too many people believe not heading directly to a university means a young person is destined to work in a menial job forever and never go back to school.

But according to Gap Year Association data, 90% of students who take time off after high school enroll in a four-year institution within one year of completing their gap year break.

“Studies have shown that taking a gap year not only are tied to increases in college GPAs, but more significantly is tied to improved job satisfaction,” they note. “In short, taking the time to figure out what success looks like is a surefire way to be directed in achieving it.”

The Main Benefits Of A Gap Year

If you’re thinking a gap year is just a time to slack off and avoid the hard work required to pursue a college degree, think again. There are real benefits that result from gap year breaks spent in a new land you’re unfamiliar with — even if they’re only a few months or a semester long.

Here are some of the main perks of taking time off to travel before you dive into higher education head on:

See the world in a different way. According to the most recent study data from the Gap Year Association , students who took time off before college gained a greater understanding of the world we live in. Specifically, 94% said their time spent abroad helped them learn to communicate with people from different backgrounds, 93% report an increased interest in people from around the world, and 90% said they have a better understanding and respect for cultures different from their own. You can learn a ton about the world we live in by reading books or watching documentaries, but these experiences are not the same thing as showing up in a new country to see how it really works first-hand. And most of the time, learning by doing is much more impactful than any wisdom a college professor can impart.

Determine your real goals and the best way to achieve them. If you’re unsure what area you want to study in, it may not make sense to head straight to school. Spending a gap year traveling abroad can help you determine your goals before you select a college major or choose a career track you may be stuck with for the bulk of your entire life. Gap Year Association data noted that 84% of respondents to their study said their time abroad helped them learn skills that helped them become successful in their work. Further, 77% said their gap year helped them find their purpose in life, 75% said it helped them get a job, and 73% reported their gap year helped them prepare for college.

Find yourself without spending tens of thousands of dollars on higher education. It may be possible to learn about the future you want while in your first year at university, but there’s a high cost that comes with “finding yourself” at school. Keep in mind that the average cost of one year at a four-year, public school is $10,230 according to College Board , and those costs surge to $21,370 per year when you add in room and board. Think of how many countries and cultures you could explore for a fraction of that price. Young people can score a cheap economy ticket anywhere in the world and travel cheaply by staying in hostels or joining a study abroad or work abroad program. By opting to take time off to travel, they can find themselves and learn lessons they simply cannot pick up in school without accruing tens of thousands of dollars in debt.

Gain valuable career experience. Finally, don’t forget that a gap year can consist of a lot more than a boozy semester spent in hostels making new friends. In fact, many students who take a gap year spend that time in an international study or volunteer program. There are numerous organized gap year programs that provide an educational component and the structure some students need. Examples include Aardvark Israel , Art History Abroad , and Gap Year South Africa . If you are someone who wants to make sure your gap year counts, choosing an organized program with a stated purpose could be a smart move.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re a parent of a child getting ready to graduate from high school or a student wondering if they should head straight to a university, it never hurts to consider taking some time off. International travel comes with inherent benefits, including the opportunity to learn about new people and the way the world works. And sometimes, you can combine travel with an educational opportunity that changes the way you think forever.

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Search the site, search suggestions, an overthinker's guide to taking a gap year.

COVID-19 was “unprecedented” for a variety of reasons. Among them was that over 20% of the Harvard class of 2024 decided to defer enrollment. I was one of those 340 gappers . 

This was quite the leap of faith for me; I can be quite cautious and risk-averse (euphemisms for being a little boring). But as a member of the class of 2024, I felt convinced that attending college that fall—when everything was rife with uncertainty—was the risky option. 

Still, I’m a chronic over-thinker. My proliferating worries, and compulsive need to over-plan, rendered the decision to pursue a gap year a particularly difficult one, but one that I’m exceedingly grateful to have made. After a truly unforgettable year, I am certain that taking time off would have been excellent decision: with or without the presence of the pandemic. 

If you’re on the fence about taking a gap year, look no further! See below for my 5 biggest concerns when deciding to defer enrollment to Harvard, and how these concerns were all upended by the end of my gap year. I hope that they serve to assuage some of your worries about gapping! 

Concern #1: How will I spend a whole YEAR? 

I hold structure sacrosanct (color-coded Google Calendars, anyone?) and couldn't fathom 12 months of unstructured time that had been formerly occupied by classes and extracurriculars and social obligations. I was hugely skeptical about how I could fill the space of a gap year. School had been the epicenter of my life: it was daring—presumptuous, even—to reimagine my life differently. 

But there was something liberating about being the sole curator of my gap year. I loved high school, but I found that I was often forced to sideline my interests: books I wanted to read, stories I wanted to write, films I wanted to watch. Suddenly, a year didn’t feel quite long enough for me to do all that I had neglected in high school. In this way, my gap year served as a natural corrective to my desire for structure. 

And now, even though my Harvard existence is predicated on effective scheduling and time management, my gap year helped institutionalize rituals of self-care into the infrastructure of my life. In doing so, it helped me re-conceptualize self-care not as an indulgence, but as a necessity. I now consider reading a chapter of a book or calling my parents back home priorities. 

Beyond excessive planning, my gap year helped me regard myself independently from school or academics. For our whole lives, our identities are inextricably linked to our education. After high school, we assume the identity of being Harvard students. But the gap year represents an in-between moment in time in which one can reckon with who they are, beyond their identities as students.  

As my gap year drew to a close, I was horrified by how quickly it had transpired. By August, however, I was genuinely thrilled about attending college and itching to move into Harvard Yard. 

Concern #2: My Immigrant Parents Are Never Going To Let Me Drop Out Of School 

Many prospective gappers experience resistance from friends and family about taking a year off. My parents weren’t exactly enthused by the prospect of their daughter lazing around the house for twelve months. If you do experience such resistance, however, try to formulate concrete plans to show them that your gap year isn’t just a needless escape from school.  

That being said, you don’t necessarily need to have everything figured out. I certainly didn't when I deferred enrollment to Harvard! Instead, aim to show the people around you that the gap year is more than just a year-long vacation—it’s a stretch of time for you to reflect, re-calibrate, and re-energize before the next four years.  

Concern #3: Gap Years Are Too Expensive

Unfortunately, it’s true that the vast majority of gap year programs are exorbitantly expensive. Thankfully, I joined a program (quick Outer Coast plug) that offered me an extremely generous financial aid package. Gap year programs are an attractive option: they offer a substitute amount of structure in your life, and generally offer “transformative” experiences, such as travel and companionship with people your age. However, you shouldn’t have to sell an organ to afford to have a rewarding gap year. Many gappers choose to embark on mammoth road trips, sometimes even with fellow gap year students, that can be less costly than a formal program.

However, you don’t even need to flee home in order to have a good gap year. If, like me, you wished you’d spent more time with your family over the course of high school, the gap year represents an amazing opportunity to make up for lost time: I was able to attend my 13-year-old brother’s soccer games, cook with my mother in the kitchen, and go on long drives with my dad.  

On a final note, financial concerns about gap years extend beyond gap year activities: taking a year off also means entering the workforce (at the very least) a year later. Here’s the good news, though: a gap year does offer students the opportunity to earn some money before college. For example, during my gap year, I worked at Kumon, a student tutoring agency. The extra money has certainly helped alleviate some of the financial burden of college. 

Concern #4: My Brain Will Rot Unused  

Gap year students often worry about the academic adjustment to college after a year out of school. This concern isn’t completely unfounded—I certainly had to adjust to college academic writing, tough deadlines, and juggling academic, social, and extracurricular obligations. But after taking a gap year, I felt more energized to respond to the pressures of college life. 

In fact, I’m grateful to have had a year to grow intellectually. I read fiction. I watched documentaries. I spoke to interesting people, both online and in my local community. I loved intellectually straining myself in non-educational settings—in some ways, it felt strangely novel to learn outside of the four walls of a classroom.  

Beyond intellectual growth, I spent a lot of time indulging my feelings and critically reflecting on my high school years, pastimes that yielded significant emotional breakthroughs. I would even go as far as to argue that these revelations prepared me more for life at Harvard than anything else. 

Concern #5: I’ll Be An Ancient 20-Year-Old First-Year

There’s no sugar-coating it—it is extremely odd to be a 20-year-old first-year. There are kids in the class of 2025 who were born many years after I was! However, there are so many students who deferred enrollment in my class with whom I can commiserate about the woes of aging.  

Outside of the occasional crisis about the end of your teenage era, you might feel the difference when your classmates talk about high school. A whole year separates gappers from senior year. But this distance lends you refreshing perspectives and eviscerates any lingering anxieties, insecurities, and burnout from high school. Indeed, many of my classmates have even pointed out how “mature” I seem—a win in my books! 

All this to say...If your cursor is hovering over the “defer enrollment” button, as mine was a year and a half ago, CLICK! Trust me—you won’t stop talking about your gap year when you get to Harvard. Ask my friends. 

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Don't Go to College Next Year

By  Joe O'Shea

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Over the next few weeks, students around the country will receive offers of admission to colleges and universities. But before students jump online and accept an offer, I have one piece of advice for them: They might be better off not going to college next year.

Instead, they should think about taking a gap year, to defer college for a year to live and volunteer in a developing country.

In the traditional sort of gap year, students immerse themselves in a developing community to volunteer with a nonprofit organization by teaching, working with local youth, or assuming some other community role.

Gap years have been rising in popularity in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and elsewhere. I’ve spent the last few years researching what happens to young people when they have such an immersive experience in a community radically different from their own.

The answer, in short, is that gap years can help change students in ways the world needs.

The challenges of our time demand an educational system that can help young people to become citizens of the world. We need our students to be smart, critical and innovative thinkers but also people of character who use their talents to help others. Gap years help young adults understand themselves, their relationships, and the world around them, which deepens capacities and perspectives crucial for effective citizenship. They help students become better thinkers and scholars, filled with passion, purpose, and perspective.

How do people learn from gap years?

One principal lesson is clear: We often develop most when our understandings of ourselves and the world around us are challenged -- when we engage with people and ideas that are different. Despite this insight, we often prioritize comfort and self-segregate into groups of sameness. We tend to surround ourselves with people who think, talk, and look similar to us.

Taking a gap year speeds our development by upsetting these patterns. Trying to occupy another's way of life in a different culture -- living with a new family, speaking the language, integrating into a community, perhaps working with local youth, for instance -- these are valuable experiences that help young people understand themselves, develop empathy and virtue, and expand their capacity to see the world from others' perspectives.

Traditionally, U.S. higher education has championed the idea of liberal arts as a way of getting students to engage with difference, to expand their worldview beyond their known universe by (in the words of a Harvard research committee on education) “questioning assumptions, by inducing self-reflection... by encounters with radically different historical moments and cultural formations.”

However, formal classroom education alone cannot accomplish this aim. The classroom is limited in its ability to engage students with difference and contribute to their development as able citizens. We also need new experiences that inspire critical self-reflection to cultivate the right moral feelings and dispositions.

What’s important here is the productive dissonance that these long-term, immersive gap year experiences provide. It's unlikely that a young person staying in America -- or even traveling overseas for a short time -- would have assumptions about herself and the world around her challenged with the same intensity, frequency, and breadth as in a gap year in a developing community.

It's interesting that spending time in developing communities can help young people appreciate ways of living that we need more of -- such as a more active and intimate sense of community. Going overseas also helps to cultivate a type of independence and self-confidence that staying close to home in a familiar environment probably does not.

Furthermore, taking the traditional kind of gap year after high school helps students to take full advantage of their time in college. One telling observation is that many students who take gap years end up changing their intended major after returning. During college, their gap year experiences enrich their courses, strengthen co-curricular endeavors, and animate undergraduate research and creative projects.

To be clear: Though these gap year students are working in partnership with a community organization and aim to make some positive impact, the students typically, at least in the short term, gain more than they are able to give. But this empowers them to bring new perspectives to bear in other personal, professional, and civic efforts. Gap years, borrowing a line from the Rhodes Scholarship Trust, can help create leaders for the world’s future.

Despite the benefits of these kinds of gap year experiences, too few Americans take gap years and too few colleges encourage them. The treadmill from high school to college makes it hard for students to see alternative paths. But that is changing. More people and organizations are beginning to see gap years for the formative experiences they can be, given with the proper training, support, and community work. In fact, all the Ivy League universities now endorse gap years for interested students. And they’re right to do so.

Many parents and students are nervous about the idea of spending an extended period in a developing country. But these experiences, especially through structured gap year programs like Global Citizen Year, are generally very safe and supported. Are there some risks? Of course, there are risks with any travel or change -- but the risks are worth taking. The investment in taking a gap year will pay dividends throughout one’s college career and beyond as one’s life and society is enriched.

However, one central challenge that remains is how to finance gap years for students from lower-income families. This is also beginning to change. The University of North Carolina and Princeton University, for instance, have both begun to subsidize gap years for incoming students. Other organizations, such as Omprakash, now offer low-cost volunteer placements as well as scholarships to those with need. And with the help of crowdfunding sites, students are able to fund-raise for these experiences with greater ease. Despite these efforts, if gap years are to really expand, we’ll need more institutions or governments to offset the costs.

Higher education is society’s last mass effort to really shape the character and trajectories of our young people. Let’s help them take more advantage of the precious time in college by taking a gap year before.

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What is a Gap Year? Why take a Gap Year?

Taking a gap year – introduction.

Many students and parents automatically think of college as the next step after high school. However, there are other options for students who feel as though their educational and professional trajectories aren’t quite so linear. Perhaps you’ve heard that a gap year is a great option that provides students with an outside-the-norm, enriching, and educational experience. But, you may be wondering, what is a gap year?

We’ll shortly get into the “gap year” meaning, but it’s also important to understand that gap years may not be for everyone. However, when taken with intention, gap years are often life changing times. After reading this article you’ll understand the gap year meaning and be better prepared to decide if the gap year experience could be for you. 

In this article we’ll explore the ins and outs of gap years, including:

• What exactly is the definition of a gap year?
• Potential gap year ideas

Gap year statistics

• What specific gap year programs exist?
• How to decide whether to take a gap year
• General gap year advice, and more…

What is a gap year?

Now that you’re intrigued by the topic, let’s get into its meaning. What is a gap year? A gap year is a wonderful time for students to have an experiential learning experience outside of the traditional educational setting. Think of it as a year full of extracurricular activities for your resume. 

There are many gap year programs that can assist students in deciding what to do during their  gap year. However, there is certainly no one right or wrong gap year program. The gap year experience will vary greatly from person to person, and there is no shortage of gap year ideas that students can choose from.

A likely question to follow, “What is a gap year?” is, “Why take a gap year?” Students can benefit from taking a gap year after high school in order to learn more about themselves and further pursue areas of interest. It’s a time to dive into extracurricular activities for your resume. Gap year programs are a great way to gain confidence and recharge before heading into four years of university . 

Definition of a gap year

The answer to “what is a gap year” and the gap year definition is simple: a year taken off from university or college in order to pursue other goals. A gap year may also refer to a year taken after college when graduates don’t go straight into the workforce in their field. It’s important to understand that a gap year isn’t a “year off,” as many describe it. It’s a time to experience, learn, and gain awareness. These gap year experiences also serve as meaningful extracurricular activities for your resume.

Students typically take a gap year after high school and before college, however, many university graduates opt to take a gap year after college. A gap year is an opportunity to do some experiential learning in order to gain confidence and experience . 

There are many reasons that students might choose to take a gap year: 

• Experience something new (travel, internships, volunteering) before college
• Work and save money before college
• Reapply to college after graduating from high school

What to do during a gap year?

We’ve covered, “What is a gap year?”, a year taken to pursue a passion or gain professional experience. Many gap year ideas exist, as many students have taken gap years that look completely different. No gap year experience is right or wrong. The purpose of a gap year is whatever you want it to be. When thinking about what to do in a gap year, think about what you want to gain during that year. As long as you put intention behind it, then you’re sure to have a successful gap year experience. 

There are many things to consider before deciding to take a gap year. If you decide that it’s right for you, then there are ample gap year ideas and gap year programs to assist you in deciding how to spend your time. 

Students can take the time to travel and have a cultural experience, volunteer and get involved in the community, or intern and gain professional experience. Gap year ideas are endless! 

When looking for gap year advice and considering what to do in a gap year, think about your goals for that gap year. Do you want to recharge and reapply to schools, dedicating more time to college applications in order to get better college admissions results? Or, do you want to learn more about yourself in order to guide you in how to choose a college major? These questions will help you to decide what gap year ideas or gap year programs will suit your needs and goals. 

We all know tuition costs are high. Do you want to take some time to work and save before setting off? That’s certainly an option. There are many valid gap year ideas. And remember, a gap year after college will vary greatly from a gap year after high school.  

After all, what is a gap year anyway? We know it’s time away from the traditional education or career path. But a gap year after college or a gap year after high school will differ depending on goals and financial circumstances. The best gap year advice is to set some goals and make a plan that works for you. Doing that will give you plenty of gap year ideas just for you. 

Gap year and travel

After years of study and an obsession with extracurriculars for college, college rankings , and college applications , it’s probably exciting to think about something other than extracurriculars for college and the college admissions process. What is a gap year to you? Well, it could be an adventure just for you. So, if you’re really feeling like college might not be for you right now, stop obsessing over extracurricular activities for your resume and instead consider gap year programs or gap year ideas. 

Is your list of gap year ideas centered around the idea of exploring a new place, culture, or language? Students taking a gap year after high school or a gap year after college may decide to travel around the world or the country before returning to college or entering the workforce. Travel is a great time for self-discovery and to enhance self-awareness. 

There are many gap year programs at universities that encourage travel during a gap year after high school. Some universities, such as Princeton , offer gap year programs that allow accepted students to take a gap year and travel within a university-sponsored program. 

However, you don’t necessarily need the support of a university to travel during a gap year. You can certainly do so on your own. Consider your financial situation when debating a year of travel. It can be costly. Gap year ideas can include opting to work for six months in order to finance your travel for the other six. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all gap year experience. 

Gap year and volunteer

Students may also decide to do some gap year volunteering. There are many ways in which students can volunteer during their gap year after high school or their gap year after college. 

Certain universities will sponsor gap year programs that allow students to do some gap year volunteering at various organizations. You could also find your own gap year volunteering opportunities through other external organizations. 

Gap year volunteering is one of the best extracurriculars for college and a great way to make your college applications stand out . Students who plan to reapply to college during their gap years could bolster their college resume with volunteer work. Recent graduates who decide to take a gap year after college may find inspiration or motivation through gap year volunteering that could direct their career plans. 

Not sure where to start when looking for gap year volunteering opportunities? Check out this list of resources for gap year advice about gap year volunteering through different gap year programs. 

Gap year and intern or job shadow

Volunteering and travel are great gap year ideas, however, gaining professional work experience is another way to bolster your college resume and college applications if you’re thinking of reapplying. Working or interning are impressive extracurricular activities for your resume . They’re also great ways to gain practical experience that could help you choose a college major . 

There are many benefits to interning or working during a gap year: 

• Learn about a career path that interests you
• Gain an understanding of adult life
• Save money for college

Gap years don’t have to be a series of Instagram-worthy moments, with crazy travel pictures in beautiful settings. There’s a lot of value in taking a year to get ahead with savings and professional experience. 

Working and interning are great gap year ideas that allow students to enhance their college resume with practical experience. And, you’ll even pad your savings in the process sounds like some pretty good gap year ideas to me!

Taking a gap year before college

Let’s continue to explore “What is a gap year?” and what it could be for you. Students may be searching for gap year ideas and choosing to take a gap year after high school for a number of reasons. 

Gap years are a great way to gain experiences that lead to further self-awareness while getting closer to achieving your goals. They can be a way for students to recharge, outside of the traditional academic setting, and enter college with more motivation to learn. A gap year could serve as a way to fund your college education by working full time. You’ll have some savings and gain professional experience. 

Mind the gap (year)

When exactly do you need to decide to take a gap year? It can vary from student to student. You might choose to take a gap year as early as the beginning of your senior year, or maybe your college admissions decisions make you rethink heading directly into college, or you might have known throughout your entire high school career that a gap year is for you. Your reason for taking a gap year will likely affect your timeline. 

Many schools will allow you to defer admission for a year if accepted. However, if you’re considering a gap year while completing your college applications, you should make sure every program you’re applying to will allow you to defer. 

A gap year after high school could be even more enjoyable if you already know that you’ve been accepted and have enrolled in college for the following year. Consider committing to a school by their deadline with a deposit in order to secure your spot after your gap year has ended.

While there are both gap year pros and cons, the gap year statistics seem to be overwhelmingly positive . 98% of students who decided to take a gap year thought that they had a fruitful experience. 96% said it helped them to gain self-confidence and 93% said it enhanced their communication skills. 

Taking a gap year is gaining in popularity, but gap years still aren’t commonplace. Out of 300,000 college freshmen surveyed, only 1.2% decided to take gap years. While the gap year experience may not be what every student expects, gap year statistics are quite positive overall. 

Here are some other recent gap year statistics: 

Top schools like Amherst , Princeton , and MIT are now adopting admission policies that make it easier to defer admission for a gap year. You should look into the schools you’re sending college applications to see what type of gap year programs or requisites they have. Check out some of the gap year programs at FSU and Tulane to see what these schools are offering. 

While there are many gap programs out there, your gap year should be whatever you want it to be. If none of the gap year programs with universities appeal to you, look for your own gap year program, or simply plan it independently. 

Benefits of taking a gap year before college

There are various gap year pros and cons, but if you go into a gap year with the right intentions, the benefits of the gap year experience are many. And as we saw in the statistics, most students found their gap year to be a rewarding experience. 

Why take a gap year? Taking a gap year bolsters your college resume and even your employability. The learned experiences in that gap year can translate to useful skills in the workplace. Work or internship opportunities are a great way to gain professional experience. 

If you have academic interests, try exploring career paths within that field. This gives you practical experience and helps you to decide or confirm your college major. Some students may also work during their gap year in order to save money for college. 

Traveling during your gap year, either with a gap year program or not, is a wonderful way to learn and explore at the same time. Students will learn about a new culture, community, and could even learn a new language. 

A second chance at college admissions

Gap years can also be second chances at the college application process. If college admissions didn’t go your way the first time, a gap year can be a great time to work on your extracurricular activities for your resume and polish your college application and college resume further. 

One student chose to do just that with her gap year. Sumaiya had a clear plan for her gap year, entering a specific gap year program, but she also used that time to complete more college applications with the support of CollegeAdvisor.com.

While there are many different gap year ideas that students bring to fruition, they all seem to have ample benefits. Taking a gap year after high school has been proven to improve students’ academic performances. The academic benefits span over four years, with gap year students outperforming their peers academically by a range of .01 to.04 on the 4.0 scale. Students often come back from their gap years motivated, focused, and mature, which leads to greater success in college. 

How will a gap year affect my admission chances?

You may be wondering how taking a gap year could affect college admissions. It will not undermine your admission odds. In fact, many universities such as Amherst, Princeton, and MIT are creating structures that encourage students to take gap years. Some schools even have specific gap year programs that incoming freshmen can apply for. If all you think and dream about are potential gap year ideas, then these types of university sponsored gap year programs may affect how you build a college list and choose a college.  

While some universities encourage gap years with specific gap year programs, other schools don’t have the same set up. So, while taking a gap year won’t affect college admissions, you should always double check with the university to make sure that you can take a gap year without forfeiting your enrollment . 

If you choose to take a gap year without enrolling in university, you can use the experiences from your gap year to strengthen your college application. It’s the perfect time to add some meaningful extracurriculars for college to your college applications. 

Gap year costs and scholarships

With college costs high, and most students needing to take out student loans in order to finance their education, the cost of a gap year may seem like a lavish and irresponsible decision. Taking a gap year is an exciting opportunity, but let’s take a moment to think about the financial aspects of a gap year program or just taking a gap year independently. Gap year ideas will greatly affect your budgeting.

Just like tuition costs affect your college choices, so will the cost of various gap year ideas. But, gap years aren’t always financial burdens. In fact, gap years can help you to earn money that will help you finance your education. While gap year volunteering won’t earn you money, you could get a job instead or volunteer and work at the same time. 

Gap year programs or independent travel during a gap year may be expensive. There are scholarship opportunities available for gap year programs. Gap Year Association and EF Gap Year are gap year programs that offer scholarships and grants to their participants. Some universities that encourage gap years or have specific gap year programs, often offer assistance or options for financial aid. 

Students taking gap years could work for part of the year in order to fund their travels or gap year volunteering. If finances are the only factor keeping you from the gap year program of your dreams, know that there are options. 

While gap years may seem costly and elitist, there are actually many options for students of every income level. Verto Education offers international semester long programs as low as $5,000 for students who qualify for an “opportunity grant.” Some programs even allow students to gain college credits. 

More options to finance gap years has likely come from an increased awareness of gap year programs. Specifically, there has been a recent increase in interest in the US. Some think it may have something to do with the former first daughter Malia Obama deciding to take a gap year after high school in 2016.

Still worried about the cost? Forbes breaks down the gap year and offers some options to finance a gap year. 

Should I take a gap year?

What is a gap year? A gap year isn’t just a compilation of extracurricular activities for your resume. It’s a passion project with a purpose. 

Like choosing a college , deciding to take a gap year is a big decision. When weighing gap year ideas and options, it’s important to think about what you’d like to gain from your gap year: work experience, language learning, redo on college admissions, etc. 

Sumaiya , a CollegeAdvisor client, had success with her gap year because she had a plan. She knew that she wanted to help women start their own business. Sumaiya found a gap year program called Global Citizen Year that worked for her. She even received a scholarship. Sumaiya is not only spending her gap year volunteering, but also sending out college applications again. She says the college admissions process seems less stressful this time, now that she’s done it before and is no longer in classes. 

There are few instances of students taking a gap year and regretting it. Gap year students are able to gain real world experience and confidence. The gap year experience often contributes to choosing their college major and career path. Gap years can serve as a wonderful time to partake in meaningful extracurricular activities for your resume. 

If you’re interested in learning more about gap years, check out this book that discusses how taking a gap year can make you a better global citizen. 

Gap year pros and cons

With more and more students googling “what is a gap year,” gap year programs have been gaining popularity in recent years. The pandemic especially has swayed many students from heading straight into university from high school. While exploring gap year ideas is exciting, you’ll want to look at both the gap year pros and cons. 

As you can see, there are many gap year pros and cons. Creating your own list, unique to you and your interests and goals, could help in making your decision. Ultimately, taking a gap year is a personal decision. 

How to plan your gap year

There is no shortage of gap year ideas or gap year programs, but where should you begin when thinking about what to do in a gap year? Start by first defining your goals and intentions for your gap year. 

Do you want to acquire language skills? Consider travel. Do you want to develop leadership skills through service? Try volunteering. Does the idea of saving extra money before entering college sound like it could relieve some financial stress? Work and save some money. 

Choosing what you want from your gap year after high school is the best way to start planning . From there, you can start looking into gap year programs or plan independently. Ideally, students wanting to take a gap year will start planning as early as senior year. Students planning to take gap years need to decide if they will defer college admissions decisions or reapply the following year. If you decide to defer, learn all the requisites at your schools of interest. 

Similarly, planning a gap year after college will change a lot based on your goals for that time. Are you exploring career paths or looking into graduate school? Gap year advice for planning your gap year has everything to do with the individual who is taking the gap year after college. But, there are no shortage of gap year ideas for whatever your short and long term goals may be. 

Gap year ideas

After you’ve thought about your intentions for your gap year or gap year program, the fun really begins. There are many gap year ideas to get you excited about this next adventure! 

Here are some gap year ideas to get you started: 

• Take on a job that interests you, or a job that pays and allows you to live independently and save. 
• Find an internship in your desired field. 
• Travel somewhere you’ve never been before. 
• Do some gap year volunteering with an organization that excites you. 
• Apply to a gap year program that looks meaningful to you. 
• Split your year between working and traveling or working and gap year volunteering. 

Gap year programs will vary based on individual students. There is no right or wrong gap year program. As long as it excites you and is financially manageable, then it’s the perfect gap year program for you. As an added bonus, all of these gap year ideas will serve as impressive extracurricular activities for your resume.

Gap year in the time of COVID-19

Many students have decided to answer the question of “what is a gap year” themselves, by taking a gap year while awaiting normalcy from universities nationwide. While things have improved greatly in the US, there are still COVID-based gap year considerations to factor into your decisions or planning. 

Some schools stopped sponsoring international travel during the pandemic. You’ll want to check into the gap year programs at your desired schools to see if there are any limits or restrictions on their gap year programs. 

Independent travel may also be complicated or restricted depending on the part of the world where you’d like to be. Do some research about COVID restrictions, pandemic progress, and vaccine availability for your desired destinations to see if it will hinder your experience. 

Some internships are likely still limiting capacity due to the pandemic. Internships could be virtual or hybrid in order to limit the number of people in the workspace. Consider if that is the type of experience you want from your gap year. 

Why take a gap year? – Final Thoughts

Taking a gap year can be a life changing experience. Students are able to further explore their interests, develop new skills, and gain independence and confidence. When done well, gap years can help students to develop purpose and direction for their futures. Whether it helps them to choose a college major or a career path, gap years have many benefits. 

Choosing to take a gap year is a personal decision. Take into consideration gap year pros and cons when making a decision. If done well, gap years provide impressive extracurricular activities for your resume. Discuss the idea with your family. And remember, CollegeAdvisor.com can help guide you through the decision making process and navigate planning a gap year that suits you and your future goals. 

This article was written by Sarah Kaminski. If you want to get help with your college applications or figuring out to take gap year from  CollegeAdvisor.com  Admissions Experts ,  register with CollegeAdvisor.com today ! Also, check out our other guides to  Best Colleges  and  College Acceptance Rates  as you think about college admissions and make a plan to achieve your higher education goals .

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Thinking About Taking a Gap Year? Here Are Some Pros and Cons to Consider

With COVID circumstances throwing a wrench into many students’ college plans, the prospect of delaying the start of university poses a practical solution for some. Whether you’re considering deferring enrollment or postponing your college applications until the next admissions cycle, there are some pros and cons to mull over.

Pro: If the school(s) you’re interested in have made drastic changes to campus operations due to COVID, you may be able to wait it out. Your daydreams about beginning your college career probably haven’t included online classes or quarantined dorm life. Universities are handling the pandemic as best as they can, but even in the most well-managed circumstances, this year’s freshmen may not get the new student experience they signed up for.

Con: Come back-to-school season, circumstances could be much different — meaning the decision to wait it out could be in vain. If there’s one fact about life during a pandemic that rings true for all of us, it’s that you can never predict how the situation will evolve. Your dream school may be operating remotely for now, but in a few months’ time, things could be much closer to pre-COVID than you anticipate.

Pro: If you’ve begun a passion project and want to see it through, eliminating academics for a year can provide the time you need to jump in. Whether you’ve got a brilliant idea for a research project or have been waiting for the perfect time to start a nonprofit, taking time away from school to throw yourself into it can be immensely beneficial for your resume and can arm you with some practical experience as you head off to university.

Con: Spending time away from academics can make it difficult to find your way back. Have you ever come back to school after a winter break or summer vacation and felt a bit of inertia working against you? If you don’t use your time away from school wisely, coming back to academics after several months off could make it more difficult to revive good study habits and an eagerness to learn.

Pro: You can spend the extra time developing interpersonal skills and professional competence that may leave you better prepared for college. The transition to university can be challenging in many ways — especially if you’re worried about staying safe and healthy in a new environment. If the thought of moving into a college dorm in a few short months gives you social anxiety, spending a year working, interning or volunteering could give you a chance to hone the crucial soft skills and confidence you’ll need to feel comfortable and excited to start the next chapter.

Con: As your peers head off to uni, you may feel like you’re falling behind. After you’ve spent much of your high school career mapping out your path to college, deciding to delay your enrollment can leave you feeling discouraged or defeated. You’ll have to consider how starting late while most of your friends head off to college may affect you, and whether it’s worth taking a risk.****

Pro: The past year has been difficult for most of us, and perhaps you deserve a well-earned break. The pandemic has hit communities, families and individuals hard, and for some, the circumstances have been particularly challenging. Balancing your mental health with your studies is paramount, and sometimes that can mean taking a reprieve from your studies to pursue other enriching activities like volunteering or traveling (within the bounds of your country’s limitations, of course).

** Con: Depending on how you want to spend your gap year and where you live, executing those plans could be harder than you expect.** While taking a break from academics to redirect your energy towards something else could be advantageous, COVID circumstances have undeniably limited work and travel opportunities. Going into a gap year with unrealistic expectations can lead to a mountain of disappointment.

There’s no clear-cut answer to the question of whether or not to take a gap year. However, one universal truth is that if you decide to delay the start of university, it’s imperative that you use the extra time wisely . Research your options the same way you’ve researched different colleges and fields of study to make sure you’re informed about all your options — whether you head straight to uni or take some time away — before making a decision.

Not sure if a gap year is the right choice for you? Wondering how best to utilize an extra year between schooling? We can help! Crimson’s mentors have supported hundreds of students in finding the right extracurriculars and career experiences to help them get on a path to success, in college and beyond. To learn how Crimson can advise you on whether taking a gap year is the right decision — and how to use it if you do — click the link below and schedule a free one hour consultation with one of our Academic Advisors.

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6 Things to Consider Before Taking a Gap Year

A gap year — which, fittingly, bridges the gap between high school and college — can include bucket-list-worthy travel opps, dream internships, volunteer experience, and more. It’s also worth noting, however, that you don’t even have to leave your hometown to reap the benefits of a gap year, which is defined by The Gap Year Association as “a semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one’s practical, professional, and personal awareness.” A gap year can also be a great choice for students who are looking to grow their savings account without trekking halfway around the world. For example, one may choose to live at home, work at a local business, and use their earnings to help them pay for college tuition or other expenses. 

If you’re one of many high school seniors who are reconsidering their plans for next year and are looking into gap year options, here’s everything you need to know before taking the leap.

The History of the Gap Year: Then and Now

Gap years have become increasingly popular in recent years — especially in the United States. (In European countries, like Great Britain, for example, students have been taking gap years since the ‘60s and ‘70s.) In fact, a handful of prestigious schools actually encourage students to take a gap year, including Harvard, which even has a page on their website dedicated to gap years. “We encourage admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way,” their website states. Princeton University also offers a nine-month, tuition-free “ bridge program ” so students can spend time volunteering abroad. 

How to Know if a Gap Year is Right For You 

To tell if a gap year is right for you, ask yourself some key questions, such as: 

1. What are my goals?

Jot some notes down and spend some time thinking about what you hope to achieve in five years. Do you know what you want to be when you grow up (do any of us?) Once you have an idea (or even a semblance of an idea) of where you want to be in five years, you can move on to questions #2…

2. How will a gap year help me achieve these goals?

What is it about a gap year — as opposed to traditional college courses — that will help you attain your goal? Maybe it’s that you’ll have the opportunity to volunteer as a teacher before actually committing to an education major. Or maybe you think your volunteer experience as a teacher will expand your horizons before you take the plunge into higher education and increased independence.

3. Do I feel motivated to do all of this extra research? 

If the answer is yes, then congrats! You’re on the right path. It’s time to start scouring the interwebs and do your research! For example, if you want to teach abroad, do you need to complete any type of training or certification in order to do so? Do you have the right documents to travel overseas (i.e. a valid passport)? What will you do about housing? Is it safe to travel to that location right now? These are all important things to consider (and plan for) before taking the leap.  

4. Am I willing and ready to put in the time, effort, and work to make the most out of the gap year? 

In order for you to get the most out of your gap year, you’ll need to put in the work. This is the challenging part — not only because it’s time-consuming, but also because it can be overwhelming. If you’re really motivated to take a gap year, however, you’ll feel excited and determined to come up with a plan that works for you.  

5. Do I have the financial resources to fund my gap year? 

Gap years can be expensive (depending on what kind of experience you’re seeking). Do you have the funds to support your gap year dreams? If the answer is no, that brings us to our next point… 

6. Are you open to alternate options? 

Ask yourself if you’re open to 8-week programs (as opposed to year-long ones), or options that offer compensation, like Service Year , or working as an Au Pair , tutor, or ski instructor. The options are limitless — just get creative! And, while you can always apply for scholarships and financial aid, it’s always good to have a Plan B. 

What Are The Benefits of a Gap Year? 

According to a study conducted by the American Gap Association…

• 98% of respondents said that their gap year helped them grow and develop as a person
• 97% found that their gap year made them more mature. 
• 96% said that the gap year had increased their self-confidence
• … read the rest of the statistics here . 

Of course, there are other benefits, too. A gap year can help you become more independent, and also affords you the opportunity to learn more about new cultures and form bonds with people of all different backgrounds. At the same time, you may gain invaluable work and volunteer experience. 

If you’re looking for personal testimonials from actual gap year alumns, simply do a quick Google search. (You’ll see a bunch of different programs and students pop up.) 

Lastly, if you’re reconsidering your plans for next year, it’s important to know that you’re not alone . No matter what you choose to do — gap year or no gap year — know that there’s no wrong decision as long as you trust your gut! (Except when somebody offers you a piece of pizza. ALWAYS take the pizza.) 

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Category: Uncategorized

Tags: college admissions , gap year , high school students

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The Pros & Cons of Taking a Gap Year

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of dedicating a gap year to personal growth through travel..

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A gap year is a dedicated period of time, often taken by young adults, where you take a break from your normal job or academia and instead pursue growth through experiences. Gap years often involve international travel, working holidays , volunteering , or internships .

However, domestic gap years are also becoming increasingly common and many find they can achieve the benefits of a gap year without leaving their country or local area. No matter what you choose to dedicate your time to, it is important to understand the pros and cons of a gap year before setting off on your adventure.

Pro: The skills you'll gain can help your resume stand out

A gap year provides the opportunity for you to develop valuable skills that can't be learned in the classroom. Cultural awareness, organization, independence, and increased confidence are just some of the skills that are gained by taking a year out. According to the Gap Year Association Data and Benefits , gap year alumni also report higher job satisfaction.

Read more: What Do Employers Think of International Experience?

Con: You'll be ‘pausing’ your studies or traditional job for a year

As your friends immediately move on to college, or to their next semester, or your colleagues have another year of ‘climbing the ladder,’ it is important to recognize the opportunity cost associated with taking intentional time off. What you spend your time doing during your gap year, however, can quickly make up for the apparent ‘time lost’ as you are still learning, growing, and working towards your goals, just through new and exciting means.

Read more : Why and How to Defer College Acceptance for a Gap Year

Pro: You'll meet new people and gain a broader perspective

A gap year will push you out of your comfort zone and day-to-day activities, which will inherently put new people into your life. Whether it's through cultural immersion in another country or volunteering locally, the more people you meet the more you will learn about humanity and yourself.

Con: You might get homesick

A feeling most travelers experience at some point, homesickness is the emotional ‘pain’ experienced when away from your family, friends, pets, and overall safety net. If your gap year involves international travel, taking care of your mental health and recognizing if and when you need help is important.

Many gappers are new to solo travel, and the same challenges and discomfort that force growth also come with hard times and a barrage of emotions. Missing family, friends, or simply home comforts is completely natural during a gap year and doesn't make it any less meaningful, so don’t be afraid to experience the hard times as well as the good ones.

Pro: You'll gain stories through new experiences

Experiential learning is a key component of making the most out of a gap year , and after spending a year away the stories will mount up; these can be great conversation starters during a job interview, a fun way to connect with people at parties or, simply just to look back on and remember. Journaling is a great way to not lose track of the memories you're making throughout your gap year, as well as reflect on the lessons those experiences provide.

Con: There are financial and personal risks

With every decision we make comes risk, and a gap year is certainly no exception. Whether it's hefty fees or general travel obstacles, like getting sick overseas, mitigating the risks through planning is a must.

One way to help alleviate some anxiety and risk is by signing up and traveling with a gap year program . There are a wide range of program options in nearly every country you’d like to gap year in, and range from volunteering to adventure travel , to language immersion and much more.

All travelers should also consider travel insurance. Travel insurance providers, like World Nomads or Safety Wing , can offer temporary and customizable options, so whether you've lost your checked luggage or a pandemic breaks out while you're abroad, you'll be protected.

For most, the benefits of a gap year far outweigh the risks, but whether that is true for you depends on your unique circumstances.

Pro: Helps to avoid burnout after years of schooling or work

A gap year is a chance to be in complete control of your schedule and invest your time in experiences that drive you. With most of us grinding through 12 or more years of school and work, taking an intentional break to travel, volunteer, or just do something new can help prevent burnout and reinvigorate the motivation needed to achieve your goals. Just because it's a break from the ordinary doesn't mean you stop working towards the future; actually, a gap year should be seen as a year on, not a year off.

Read more : Should You Take a Gap Year After High School? Pros & Cons

Con: It can be expensive

While the cost of a gap year depends on the destination, duration, program, and activities you plan to do on your trip, expenses can add up quickly. Many choose to help fund a gap year by picking up short-term employment, or through work exchange programs like WWOOF .

Generally, with all trips, it's best to outline costs ahead of time and plan to stick to a budget while you're overseas. Even on a budget, this trip will still be a blast!

Read more: Most Affordable Gap Year Programs

Pro: It’s a great way to learn new things, outside of your comfort zone

A gap year will provide you with lessons not found in a classroom. Whether it’s gaining real-world experience related to your studies, or chasing new experiences through travel and picking up odd jobs, a gap year lets you learn as you do by forcing you into completely new situations.

Additionally, a gap year is a time to learn more about yourself, what drives and inspires you, and grow your self-confidence. Whether you’re volunteering, working, studying, or just traveling, you're bound to learn.

Con: Travel preparation can be stressful

Scheduling vaccinations, getting tickets and insurance, sorting out visas and accommodation -- all before the journey has even begun! For many, a gap year is the first introduction to solo travel, or taking on life without ‘guardrails.’ Uncertainty is often accompanied by stress, and a gap year is full of uncertainty.

Whether it’s language barriers, currency, or trying to work out the public transport systems, there are a lot of stressful situations that come with travel, but you don’t have to do it alone. Gap year programs are a great way to get situated and meet like-minded travelers. Just be sure to read reviews first !

Pro: It’s a break from traditional education

Our formal schooling is a marathon, and after years of sitting in a classroom, our minds and bodies need a break. Taking time off from traditional education provides an opportunity to consider what the right course is, and if you’ll be satisfied in the career track you’re currently on. Not only this, but a gap year often provides a renewed vigor for study and a more focused approach to learning. According to the Wall Street Journal , 90% of students who take a gap year return to college the next year.

Con: If you don't set goals, it could potentially waste a lot of time

When you take a break from the structure of traditional schooling or a set job schedule, it is important to be intentional with what you do with your time, or before you know it, it will be gone. To prevent wasted time, you should start planning and saving as soon as you decide to take a gap year. It may be helpful to set goals for yourself so you don’t lose track of time or miss deadlines. When dealing with international travel, things like visa applications can take time and travel becomes much more expensive if you procrastinate.

Pro: You'll return home with a new sense of maturity and confidence

The pros and cons of taking a gap year all add to the opportunities to overcome challenges and grow. Taking charge of your life and how you spend your time will force you to mature, as you are solely responsible for yourself.

People who take gap years often report that their family and friends say you’ve changed when they return home, but it’s never in a bad way. A gap year introduces many new ideas and experiences that foster growth in a relatively short period of time.

Is a gap year right for you?

If you're looking to learn new things through travel and can dedicate time to self-growth and exploration, then YES, you should consider a gap year!

There’s no denying that spending time abroad will enhance your résumé, teach you valuable new skills, and grow your confidence through unique experiences. The benefits of a gap year can't be touted enough, but, a gap year is not for everyone and there are other things you can consider. Especially for individuals who are new to traveling or can't commit to time away from school, there may be better options, like studying abroad .

Want to learn more about gap years, directly from the experts? Don't miss USA Gap Year Fairs ! The USA GYF will provide a broad exposure to gap year options and connect prospective gap year students, parents, gap year organizations, educators, experts, and alumni.

Why I Took A Gap Year by Vincent A. '17

some things you just can't predict

March 12, 2014

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For most of high school, the US was just a vague blip on the radar of my imagination. My friends and I sometimes imagined what the experience of studying in the US would be like, but we spoke in the offhanded, dreamy tone people usually use to describe things like “winning the lottery” or “running for president”. I had read one of the MIT blogs once, stumbling onto Anna’s post, “Being Qualified for MIT”, but only with distant fascination, fascination because it was such good writing and MIT seemed like such an amazing place, distant because I didn’t seriously think that I could attend a university whose site I had stumbled onto from a friend’s Google search of “World’s Best Universities.”

And then one morning, towards the end of the first trimester of high school senior year, I was sitting in the library, studying for a Geography exam when someone ran up to me and said I had a package awaiting me in the secretary’s office.

I rarely received packages of any sort, so I was pretty curious. Not being a cat, I ran quickly to the office and seconds later, was tearing off DHL-branded tape from what appeared to be a thick file. The file was from the University of Pennsylvania, and inside I found several brochures, and a letter. The contents of the letter went along the lines of, “You seem like a pretty motivated student; you just might be the kind of student we’re looking for! We encourage you to seriously consider applying to Penn.”

It was the first time I had heard of Penn, and my mind hadn’t yet been cultured to the term “Ivy League” or anything of that sort. I knew nothing about the US admissions process, and hadn’t been searching, but the idea that a college thousands of miles away would send me mail of this heartwarming sort was unbelievable. I called my parents and more or less ranted about it. I was given rare access to the internet to find out more about Penn. I checked out the university’s website and Wikipedia page. I found CollegeConfidential links to angst-filled posts covering the spectrum of Penn from its prestige to its exclusivity.

I did try to think of why they had contacted me. I had taken the SAT nearly a year ago, but that had been routine process for my high school (which was partly owned by the Turkish Government), and only because a bunch of Turkish universities required the SAT. There had also been the AMC and AIME, which I think may have contained some random clause about sharing scores with universities and scholarship organizations. Regardless of the reason, I was glad some university out there seemed interested in me. Deadline was already fast approaching, so I hastily worked on my Common Application, and sent it to Penn within days of their mail. I also sent in my SAT scores and registered for the SAT Subject Tests.

I could barely wait the three months to find out the status of my application. In that time, I joined CollegeConfidential, and began to read more about Penn. I found old admit and reject threads and, for the first time since receiving the package, was daunted. My SAT score from 11th grade had been 2080. It was possibly the reason Penn had contacted me, and I was pretty fine with it. But then there were all these amazing scores…2350…2390… even perfect scores …getting rejected or waitlisted. And CollegeConfidential was full of pages upon pages of these drab stories, rejected applicants whose achievements transcended some exam to cover a host of truly amazing feats. It was my first real introduction to the holistic mechanism of the US admissions process, and it created a whirlpool of uncertainty.

Did Penn make a mistake? Did Penn really send me that package?

It was all I could do to balance my sanity between the fear precipitated by the high scores on the reject threads, and the glimmer of hope induced by the relatively lower scores on some parts of the admit threads. I went back to my application, and with some clarity of mind I must have gained in the past couple of weeks, cringed at some of my essays. To one of them asking why I wanted to be at Penn, I had started thus:

“I am one of several applicants aspiring to become a member of the prestigious UniPenn (!). To begin, I feel like the resources the university has to offer are unparalleled relative to anything I’ve seen before…”

Was this enough? Would this be enough?

It was a little while before Penn’s decision date when the results for the AMC12   contest were released, and I saw that I had placed at the 99th percentile worldwide, and had qualified to the AIME. I was pretty excited, and after a while, in a realm of elation separate from mere joy at this achievement, I realized that the news could also “boost my chances”. Excitedly, I sent an e-mail to one of the admissions officers that had contacted me some weeks back, informing him of the news. He replied a few days later, saying that it would be considered with the rest of my application.

March 29th, 2012 was a Thursday. Penn’s decision was hours away. The anxiety, the pure, crazy anxiety permeating the pages of CollegeConfidential was this charged cloud you could feel poking your sides. I was tense; I was crazy. I played the “will they-won’t they” game in my mind. I posted like crazy on CC, asking one of the common “What are my chances” post. Some said I had a decent shot but it was hard to tell. Others said everyone had a low shot. A few were highly cynical of the post itself. All these really just combined to feed the worry.

My friends were around me, and they had nothing but positive comments: “You’ll get in; it’s you!” and “They’ll be crazy to reject you!” I didn’t know what to think, but the closer the decisions came, the more encouraging my friends got, and from their words, a real glimmer of hope emerged.

You do have a chance , I told myself. Penn encouraged you to apply!

A while later, I was somehow standing beside my vice-principal while he logged onto Penn’s website. Drums banged in my chest and throat. Three close friends crowded behind me. I typed in my initials, my hands so shaky it took two tries to get the password right. And text suddenly appeared, text that read:

“Dear Vincent, After careful review of your application, we are unfortunately unable to offer you admission into Penn’s class of 2016…”

My heart calmed. My body went very still. A friend behind me groaned and flung his books. I rose and said in a falsely nonchalant voice, “Well, I tried.” My friends mumbled words I didn’t really hear. I walked out of the office and sadness overwhelmed me. *** The week following Penn’s rejection was long and slow. I was moody. Classes seemed to trudge. I realized that for the past four months, regardless of my fears regarding the Penn outcome, I had absentmindedly imagined myself as a student there, a Penn Quaker, soaking sun in the quad and screaming cheers in the Franklin Field. It didn’t seem fair. It didn’t seem right.

In the weeks that progressed however, what was left of school took over my mind. Writing stories took over my mind. Olympiad classes took over my mind. Penn faded. *** I finally convinced myself that I’d been indulging in wishful thinking by imagining that I could study in the US. I decided to face my local exams and gain admission into an awesome Nigerian university. Admission into a Nigerian university is different and purely quantitative, depending on a combination of three necessary components—an exam called WAEC , taken by most West African High school students, a localized examination called JAMB and the concerned university’s own examination (usually called post-JAMB).

Due to great restriction on the number of Nigerian universities I could send my JAMB scores to, and a number of post-JAMB conflicts, I only really had one Nigerian university I could apply to, which of course depended on me passing its post-JAMB. So imagine my shock when, at a hotel in Amsterdam for the International Math Olympiad 2012, I decided to check the post-JAMB schedule and saw something quite interesting: the exam was set to take place in about five days. It was the beginning of IMO, and there was clearly no way I’d make it back to Nigeria in time. I spoke to my mom in distress about this, but in the sweet, soothing tone that parents often use, she assured me that I’d be fine. *** Just shortly before graduation, my high school had held an annual Nigerian-Turkish cultural event. Activities bloomed throughout the day, with tasty food on standby for the hungry or tired. My mom came for the event, which was nice since I attended a pretty secluded boarding high school, and rarely got the chance to see her. Towards the end of the day, she made a friend called Mrs. Jimoke. As they chatted about the school, my mom told Mrs. Jimoke about most of the academic things I’d been up to, including taking the SAT. Mrs. Jimoke insisted that I reconsider applying to US universities, and gave my mom the contact information of one of her friends—Shade Adebayo—who worked in an educational sector of the United States Embassy.

So after I missed my post-JAMB and after it became clear that I would have to wait at least a few months before I could apply anywhere else, Shade insisted that I apply to US universities. At first I was reluctant, but I realized that a world of possibilities did exist out there, and even if Penn hadn’t accepted me, I could probably find some other institution that would. Shade, energetically, vehemently, believed so.

I consciously avoided considering extremely selective colleges, and did as much research as I could on the others. Since I was so far away, campus tours and admission information sessions were out of the question. I toured CC, read up several college-related books Shade let me borrow from the US Embassy. I went through websites and Wikipedia pages and more detailed places like Unigo. And I came upon UW-Madison. It had a strong engineering program and a campus that seemed to pulse with unique life. As I became more and more entrenched in UW-Madison, reading up its online newspapers, poring over CC threads, I realized an important difference in the way I was attached to UW-Madison and the way I had been attached to Penn. My obsession with Penn had stemmed from both the strange joy of being reached out to and the beauty of the idea that I could be an undergraduate there. I was overwhelmed by the sense of prestige it possessed and some awareness that it had amazing resources I felt I could only find in few other places. I merely had a general sense of what Penn could be for me, a generality that translated into my barely specific essays. But getting to consciously choose to apply to UW-Madison, I did so on the heels of a more developed sense of what the university and its culture were about. I applied for the Spring 2013 term and was accepted. I was speechless with joy when I saw the letter of acceptance. My parents were jubilant.

But of course, there was a problem. *** UW-Madison did not offer aid to international students, and my parents would have to pay just a little over forty thousand dollars per year. They assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem, but my mom did wonder if I wanted to apply anywhere else. I was somewhat vehement about my choice of UW-Madison, having grown deeply attached to it, and she assured me that as long as I was sure, it was fine.

I spoke to Shade afterward. She told me something my mom had confided in her. My parents were willing to pay forty thousand dollars, but it was really money they didn’t have. They had begun contemplating possible assets they could sell to fork up some of the money, and the only reason they hadn’t divulged this to me had been a result of my endless excitement with the acceptance news. Shade told me that it would be worth it, absolutely worth it, if I could let UW-Madison go in favor of some university, any other university, that wouldn’t cost as much. Later that night, I sat alone in my room and thought of my parents’ willingness to sacrifice that much for my happiness. I thought of how my educational future, once bright and limitless, now seemed and felt infinitely more constrained. I was overwhelmed by weariness and a strange sense of loss. And so I sat on my bed and cried. I cried for a while, and my mom slipped into my room while I lay hunched over, just feeling deflated. She held me really close. She told me things would be alright. She told me that I would end up where I wanted and needed to be, and that she would walk to the ends of the Earth to secure my happiness. I believed her, every word. I held her closer.

The next day, I declined UW-Madison’s offer of acceptance. *** And that’s the bulk of it. That’s why I took a gap year. I applied for the fall term to US universities. I meticulously compiled a small list, considering two important personal factors—cost and culture. Culture in the sense of its people, culture in the sense of energy, culture in the sense of challenge. I had spent most of high school taking extracurricular olympiad classes that pushed me to work late hours at night. I had felt most ingrained in the learning process when I raced with those challenges constantly, and especially with my classmates. I wanted an environment like that. I wanted an atmosphere built on merit and challenge and collaboration, one that could let me push myself, because I understood I could thrive there.  I also needed a place I could afford.

I took the SAT for a second time, attaining a score of 2390. I wrote more, feverishly, stories and novellas and ultimately a novel. I spent that year primarily outside of classes, although I did do a few things   like teaching and attempting to burn down the kitchen cook. I grew closer to my family. I grew closer to myself. More clearly than ever, I began understanding what I wanted.

Princeton accepted me Early Action. Harvard rejected me. MIT accepted me on Pi Day, and I will never forget ten words that kept sinking into my mind when I saw that letter of acceptance: We think that you and MIT are a great match . I will never forget the sheer look of joy on my parents’ face when they saw the letter of acceptance and the immensely generous financial aid offer that had come with it. I will never forget them enclosing me, the world vanishing, for that moment of intimacy to take over, a moment that told me in no uncertain terms that things were fine. Things were good. *** I’m not really going to talk about CPW or about making the choice of college in this blog post, because that’s not really what it’s about. I’ll tell you what I hope this post is about.

It’s about the frightening rollercoaster that the college application is. This process is merely more than just typing up words and hitting a ‘submit’ button. You’re sending away, with each application, a little investment of emotions, and a little bit of life that washes into some machinery and potentially shapes the next four years. Yes, the applications are important, and yes, it’s alright to be invested. If this is about where you will spend a good chunk of your life, I daresay it’s necessary to be invested.

But at the same time, you’ll need to distance yourself from the process a bit. Care about it but not to the extent that it intricately wraps itself around your self-worth.  For colleges as deeply selective as MIT, there’s a lot out of your control, and regardless of what that letter you see on Pi Day says, it really won’t matter in the long run. If it’s a yes, congratulations. You’ve been given a great opportunity. MIT deeply believes in you. If it’s a no, that’s fine. It’s not a declaration of your worth; it’s not MIT saying that you don’t belong; it’s not a testament to some kind of skewed outlook your future will take. A long time ago, I did all the wrong things. I worried about the little details and applied without a true sense of what I was applying for. I tried to put greater meaning into “scores” and “stats” than they really held. I was obsessed with “getting in” to the point that it somehow became the center of my daily thoughts. And when rejection did come, I was stunned and upset. I felt denied of some deserved right, when it was really more privilege than right.

Genuinely care about the places you apply to, and if you do find that a certain college has no room for you at this point in time, then I’ll tell you what my mom told me: you will be fine . Penn’s rejection tore me down, but if I’d known then what I know now, not about where I would end up, but about how I can rise above a letter of rejection, I’d have handled it a whole lot better. And I do want you to know. With tenacity of will, the future will shape itself to suit you and your inner strength. Life delights in throwing stumbling blocks. But where wounds may be inflicted, scars heal and strength grows. *** Another thing I hope this post is about: time, people. The people that have been there with you from the get-go, the friends that you made in high school, the parents that have held you close and whispered assurances; they’ve forged themselves into your life before now, and they will for a long, long time. Every step of the way that led to MIT, for every rejection and acceptance and moment of uncertainty, I had friends and family who wiped away my tears when tears came and held me high when joy arrived. Time with the people we love is a truly beautiful gift. Consider the extent of the things they have done and could do, will do , for you, and learn to appreciate them every day.

Life is much bigger than what will happen soon, more unpredictable than whatever signs that hang in your mind try to suggest. For now, try not to fret. Keep doing the things you love. Keep writing. Keep playing trombones. Keep making slam-dunks. Keep singing. Keep watching your favorite TV shows. Keep laughing. And keep the people you love close to you.

I took a gap year out of necessity. At the time, it felt like the worst thing that could happen. It felt too long and the question of where I would end up seemed very subject to chance. But I kept living. I kept pushing forward. And somehow, I’m here right now, typing from a place that had once felt too large to be a dream.

Whatever happens in the next couple of days, you will find that you do have the strength to keep living, that you will be where you need to be, and that you will thrive. Don’t overanalyze the steps leading to that point. Some things you just can’t predict.

And even though it may not always feel like it, trust me. You’ll be fine. ***

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking a Gap Year | Band 8 Essay Sample

Essay topic

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this .

Band 8 essay sample

In many countries, youngsters are often encouraged to take an year off, to work or travel across the world, before embarking on their formal university education. This recent trend, also known as “gap – year”, has numerous merits and a few demerits, which will be discussed in this essay.

To begin with, the biggest advantage of taking sabbatical to explore the world is that it gives them an opportunity to discover their career interest. Such trips are not only fun , but also  gives  them  a chance  to  socialise , engage in volunteering, and understand global issues  and global culture . This helps them to discover their real passion which is the foundation stone for a fulfilling career. For instance, data from Harvard University, 2010, pointed out that drop-out rate from university courses is around 10 percent less in those children who chose the course after taking a “gap year” in comparison to those who headed straight to university after the high school.

In addition to this, working for a year before starting university reduces the financial burden of higher education to an extent. As the advanced studies are costly in most countries, working for a year helps them in saving money so they have to borrow less money and are under less financial debt, when they start higher studies.

In contrast to above viewpoints, the most significant disadvantage of such a break is that it can be a distraction from further studies. Some students find such breaks so relaxing and enjoyable that they decide to shun further studies permanently.

Although the incidences of such cases are few, the effects can be disastrous for their further career. For instance, a 2010 report from Florida University revealed that 1 in 100 students, who take “Gap-year” never go for advanced studies and struggle throughout their life to make the ends meet because of being unskilled.

To conclude, the break of a year taken before pursuing university studies helps students to discover their career interest and also allows them to consolidate financially. However, for a minority of high school graduates it can lead to an end of  an academic career .

(357 words)

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• 01 Understanding What a Gap Year Is
• 02 Reasons to Take a Gap Year
• 03 Taking a Gap Year: Pros and Cons
• 04 How Gap Experiences May Vary
• 05 How a Gap Year Affects College Admissions
• 06 Frequently Asked Questions About Taking a Gap Year

The average person spends about 14 years in school, from pre-k to 12th grade. And after graduating high school, it's straight to college for most students, with no breaks in between. And while summer breaks used to feel like a lifetime, as you get older, they somehow become two-week intervals between end-of-year exams and the start of Summer Session I. Your time slowly becomes consumed with school and, for others, work, as well, and before you know it, you're burnt out. No one talks about the importance of time off when in the pursuit of a college degree, but at Bold.org , we believe a little self-care can go a long way, even if it means taking a much-needed extended break from school, like a gap year.

In this article, we will go over what a gap year is, the reasons to take a gap year, the pros and cons of taking a gap year, and things you can do to prepare yourself to go back to school and focus on your future career path. So, wherever you are in your college career, if you're burnt out, have new interests, or are simply thinking about taking a gap year, we are to tell you everything you need to know about taking a gap year.

Looking to go back to school? Check out our blog for all things college-related and learn how to apply for scholarships today .

Understanding What a Gap Year Is

Taking a gap year can seem like a setback , especially to parents who don't agree to a few months, let alone a year-long break from school, but for some students, it can be a transformative experience that can cultivate a fresh perspective, introduce a new culture, personal growth and a newfound focus they didn't have before. So, before you write it off as an excuse to avoid school, let's talk about what exactly a gap year is.

What Is a Gap Year?

A gap year is when students take a year off school, traditionally the year between high school graduation and the first year of college , and it is meant to give students a break from their educational journey. It's important to note that though a gap year is typically taken right out of high school, it has become more common to see students take any year off of school post-high school. Now, we know what you're thinking: a year is a long time, and we agree. A year is a long time off of school, but the time is meant to be used to your advantage and bring you life experience you didn't have before.

A gap year is also taken within a 12-month period. While most people think a gap year is a solid year, it can also be taken in less time. Some students might only need a gap year association for a few months, while others may need the full year, and that's okay. The time taken in the year is at your discretion and should align with your goals.

What Isn't a Gap Year?

Now, while gap years have become quite popular, we don't want it to be misconstrued for something that it’s not. A gap year is not a vacation . With nothing but time on your hands, it's easy to get lost in the leisure of its purpose, but we want to emphasize the importance of using that time wisely and constructively. Gap years tend to help students gain perspective on their future, so if you're thinking of taking a gap year, ask yourself what you want to get out of this time period before putting a pause on your higher education .

Reasons to Take a Gap Year

So, you've come to terms with the fact that you need a break. Now, you just need to decide whether your rationale for taking time off school is valid. Sometimes, the whirl of what's going on in the present can cloud your judgment. So, in case you're unsure if what you're going through warrants time off, let's go over some reasons to take a gap year so you can make an informed decision.

• You're burnt out . Between full-time classes, extracurricular activities, sports, studying, and work, there's barely enough time left in the day to wind down. You find yourself stretching yourself thin until it's too late, and you're completely burnt out. And we know needing to balance it all on your own can be overwhelming. This can not only affect your grades and overall performance in school and work, but it can also be a burden to your immune system. A gap year can help in that department to maintain a healthy school-life balance. We recommend refocusing your energy on your health so you can get back in the game stronger than ever.
• Finances . Let's face it. School is expensive, and the financial burden can cause anyone to want a break from tuition fees. Whether it be out-of-pocket or through the help of financial aid, the costs of living and going to school add up, and before you know it, you have to drop classes to afford to remain enrolled in at least one. Or it can be something as trivial as your financial aid not coming through on time.
• The heaviness of the financial responsibility can cause stress and ultimately lead to forfeiting a semester. A gap year can not only help students catch up on finances but also buy them time (no pun) to make sure their financial aid comes through, as well as apply for scholarships for more financial support.
• New Experiences . Taking a gap year can also be seen as a period of time to make new experiences. This can be anything from focusing on passion projects or traveling the world. Traveling can open doors to learning about different cultures, living in a new environment, and meeting new people. You can also make new friends that can turn into lifelong friends. Traveling the world can have such a positive impact on not only yourself but the world around you. Plus, having hands-on experience in unfamiliar, new environments can also help you learn how to handle real-world situations you didn't know how to before.
• Build Your Resume . A gap year can be taken to gain professional experience by joining the world field and building your resume up. Having professional experience will help you attain a good work ethic while simultaneously teaching you how to be more responsible with your time. Time management is crucial for success, and having a job can assist in becoming a valuable asset for any job.
• Make Money . Though we know it's possible to work and go to school at the same time, taking a gap year to focus on your professional career gives you a chance to make money and learn financial responsibility. This decision can help you become more financially stable and prepare you for the future.
• Travel . Traveling can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling life experiences in the world. Taking a gap year can help you gain a new perspective on life, introduce you to different cultures, inspire you to learn a new language, and simply get you out of your comfort zone. It gives you the chance to explore not just the world but yourself, as well.

Taking a Gap Year: Pros and Cons

Now that we've gone over a few reasons why more students might choose to take a gap year, let's take a look at our list of pros and cons for taking a gap year.

Pros of It might Taking a Gap Year

• You'll enter or reenter college with a fresh perspective and will be refocused.
• You can broaden your horizons
• Gain new life experiences
• Learn a new language
• Set yourself up for professional success
• Set yourself up for financial success
• Build your resume
• Get well-needed rest and recovery
• Pursue passion projects
• Spend time with family
• Discover new interests
• Self-discovery

Cons for Taking a Gap Year

• It might make you feel like you're wasting time
• It might make you feel isolated
• It might make you feel like you're behind
• Your parents might not agree
• It might cause a difficult transition when going back to college
• Lose momentum
• Could be expensive

Whether a gap year is in your plans or not, we want you to be fully aware of not just the rewards but the risks, as well.

How Gap Experiences May Vary

Now that we've gone over what a gap year is and the reasons to take one, it's time to talk about the reality of different experiences .

Gap-year experiences may vary for everyone, but that's okay. While some gap year students might be traveling and experiencing the world, you might be home building your resume and focusing on your career; both paths still serve their purposes. Your gap year experience should align with your goals before starting college again and not the ideals of your peers. So, if someone you know is taking a gap year, stay focused and committed to the journey, and you will have the best gap year and make special memories.

How to Prepare for a Gap Year

Making the gap year plans or decision to take a gap year can be a difficult one to make if you don't know where to start, but don't worry. We've got you covered. Below are a few quick tips on how to prepare for a gap year.

• Make a pros and cons list of why you should take a gap year
• Do research on the benefits of taking a gap year
• Set goals on what you want to accomplish within your gap year
• Establish realistic expectations and rules for yourself throughout this journey. I.e., keep partying to a minimum or read a certain number of books within a set period of time. These will only help shape your self-discipline and focus
• Set a budget and/or financial goals for the year

Although there is no right way to prepare for a gap year, these few tips can help you get organized and informed before making any permanent decisions.

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How a Gap Year Affects College Admissions

Now, while we do think a gap year can be a great idea for some students, we want to make sure we don't leave any questions unanswered, especially when it comes to going back to school after a gap year and how it could affect college admissions .

So, can a gap year affect your future college admissions? While a gap year doesn't help or hurt your college admission, what it can do is give the university insight into yourself as a student and possibly make you suppose you take a gap year and choose to do something productive like travel and experience more life.

In that case, seen as an attractive candidate. For example, if you take a gap year and choose to do something productive like travel and experience more life, it shows that you are open to challenges, are interested in learning about new cultures, and are not afraid to pursue your goals.

However, if you use your time irresponsibly, it can give the impression that you waste time and are not as focused as you should be. Ultimately, the admissions decision isn't based on the gap year but could be impressionable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Taking a Gap Year

Why do people take gap years.

People can take up gap year offers or years for numerous reasons, such as they're burnt out, want to travel, or want to focus on their careers, but the purpose of the gap year is to give students a break from school so they can come back recharged and ready to continue their educational journey with a clear mind and laser focus.

Is a gap year right for you?

Depending on your reason, a gap year can be a smart decision for the success of your future. Years of schooling can leave anyone feeling stretched thin and exhausted from the constant go, and gap year programs and years provide space and time to create new balance for students.

But before you make the decision to take time off of school, ask yourself the important questions: are you burnt out? Have you lost focus? Do you want new life experiences? We also suggest making a pros and cons list and doing more research. We want to make sure you are provided with all the information before making your decision.

What can you get from taking a gap year?

While taking a year break from school can seem scary, many benefits come from taking a gap year. For instance, it's an opportunity to travel the world and explore different cultures. Traveling can be one of the most rewarding things in the world, and it can also give students clarity when it comes to their future.

A gap year can also allow students to discover their interests and acquire new passions. Taking on new hobbies or learning new traits can help students develop greater adaptability skills, which is also a plus. If you're looking to use that time to focus on your career, it can also help with forming a professional network, and that can come in handy with your future job applications and goals.

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About Chanelle

Chanelle is a dedicated and seasoned writer, editor, and researcher. She’s familiar with college admissions, finding and applying for scholarships, and the financial aid process.

She graduated from the University of South Florida with a major in English, Creative Writing with a specialization in Technical Writing.

Chanelle has over a decade of experience in the writing industry, specializing in blog writing, SEO writing, editing, translations, corporate writing, and various forms of creative writing. She founded and operated Femme Feature Magazine, an online and print publication dedicated to celebrating women in all corners of the creative field. An avid reader, Chanelle is constantly seeking refined and innovative ways to tell her stories. Writing is her foremost passion, and she is always on the lookout for her next narrative adventure.

Since joining the Bold.org team as a Content Writer in 2023, Chanelle has brought her enthusiasm for merging the writing and digital worlds. She is dedicated to assisting students and young adults in navigating their educational and professional journeys.

Chanelle's unwavering commitment to her craft and her dedication to helping others shine through in her work. Leveraging her personal and professional experiences, she provides invaluable support to students, empowering them to achieve their goals and realize their potential.

Quote from Chanelle

“There is always a way to say the same thing over and over again. You just have to be creative and think outside the box.”

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Should Students Take A Gap Year? (Essay Sample)

Should students take a gap year.

A gap year is a break student take after high school before joining universities or colleges. After the rigorous training in high schools, some students prefer taking time off by having an active holiday outside a school environment. Some universities recommend the gap year to students joining the schools. After reception of the joining letters, students can always apply for a delay time before their entry in such universities. The delay time is considered by some learners as a way of taking a break from tests, assignments, and homework. A gap year can have its benefits and limitations depending on how one plan the gap year.

A gap year is considered by many students and parents as a recharging period i.e. it’s a time where students replenish their academic desires and efforts. Most students who take the gap year return to classroom environment with vigor and new focus to excel in class. During the gap year, students take their time to look back at their academic life to know the challenges they faced in school and work on how to overcome the challenges. This is a beneficial factor for a gap year as academic performance depends on how best one can focus.

Learning and exploring new activities, e.g. volunteering, taking part in community work, joining local football clubs, learning foreign languages, etc., is also a benefit associated with a gap year. These new activities help students learn new skills applicable to their future lives in college or elsewhere. Working with the community makes students appreciate and understand their culture better. Working with the community and other people also boosts the confidence of students because of working with people of diverse ages and knowledge. Also, traveling and learning new language make students more socialized. All these skills and qualities gained as a result of going abroad or working as volunteer etc. help in dealing with a variety of students in college and also raise ones’ professional experience.

With a gap year, students get the opportunity to work towards the college and course of their desire. A student may be rejected by a university of his desire but the kind of work the student take during the gap year can interest the admission board of the college. For example, a student interested in pursuing a course of community development can get his gap year working for the community as a volunteer; this will interest the admission board as the individual will be considered experienced and relevant to the course.

A gap year can be very destructive to a student’s life if not well planned. A student may involve himself in harmful activities, such as drug abuse, crime, etc. since the student has excess time. This will affect the student negatively to the extent of totally leaving school.

Also, a gap year can lead to some individuals’ academic derailment. People who don’t take some classes during the gap might find academic life hard to bear after the gap. Not taking a few classes will affect their academic performance and focus negatively.

Therefore, before taking a gap year students need to have clear plans on what they want to accomplish during that time. Students need to get engaged during the gap year to avoid negative energy on drugs and crimes. Even, though the students are free from classrooms and exams, they still need to take a few classes during the holidays. This will keep them academically focused. In general, a gap year is relevant to students and students should be encouraged to take it.

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Should I Take a Gap Year? 6 Reasons the Answer Is Yes

Extracurriculars

Not excited about the idea of starting another year of school in the fall? What if you could instead take a break from school and spend a year backpacking around Europe, volunteering for a cause you care about, or getting paid to work on a cruise ship? With a gap year all those things possible!

Have you heard of gap years but aren't sure what they are? Do you know other people taking gap years but aren't sure if they're a good idea for you? What are the benefits of taking a gap year anyway? In this guide, I use my own gap year experience to explain the major benefits of gap year programs and why they're such a great choice for many students. I end with some tips to ensure you get the most out of your own gap year.

My Gap Year Experience

By the time I finished my Master's degree, I was 24 years old and burnt out from years of non-stop studying, writing papers, and taking tests. I was applying to all sorts of jobs, but I wasn't excited about any of them. After years of spending all my time and energy on school, my life had become boring, and I felt like I was just going through the motions without actually enjoying myself or doing the things I cared about or was interested in. I kept going because I felt like I didn't have any other choice than to jump straight from school to a career.

One day, while scrolling through Facebook, I saw pictures posted by a friend currently traveling through Europe. She was on an around-the-world trip, and, while I'd scoffed when she'd told me she was quitting her job to travel, I had to admit that she looked happier than I did at the moment. Looking through her photos, I realized that that was what I wanted to be doing with my life: seeing new places, learning new things, meeting new people.

Why couldn't I do what my friend was doing? Maybe not quite as extreme as traveling around the world (I had students loans to pay off after all), but why couldn't I change up my life and do something exciting? Why did I have to go straight from high school to college to grad school to a corporate job?

I weighed the options for a few weeks, but in the end, choosing between taking a job I wasn't interested in or spending a year having experiences I'd dreamed of having wasn't a hard decision to make.

I did some research and found that gap years are actually a fairly common experience in certain parts of the world. People who do a gap year can travel, get work experience, take a class they've always been interested in, learn a foreign language, do volunteer work, and more. Really anything you think is interesting or exciting could be the basis of your gap year.

After looking at numerous options, I decided to spend my gap year teaching English at a high school in northeast France. I also had enough time on the side to volunteer at an environmental organization I was interested in. My parents and friends were largely supportive, but when I told my school advisor what I'd be doing, she was horrified. She told me I was making a terrible decision and warned me that not taking a job in the field I'd studied in would have a serious negative impact on my career. "Not to mention employers will think you look lazy," she added. Those comments made me nervous, but I still felt like I was making the right decision.

As a matter of fact, not only did I not torpedo my career, I came away with a host of new skills and a better idea of the kind of job I wanted, both of which made it fairly easy for me to find a job I was happy with once my gap year ended. More important though, was the fact that I finally felt like I was doing what I wanted with my life. I look back on my gap year now as one of the best decisions I've made, and many others who've taken gap years would agree.

6 Reasons To Take a Gap Year

It's easy to get caught up in the idea of taking a gap year, but you may also still have a lot of doubts about actually doing it. Your parents or teachers may also need some more convincing before they get on board with the idea of you taking a gap year. Whatever the case, here are six of the biggest gap year benefits. Read through them and you'll see that a gap year can have all sorts of benefits for you academically, professionally, and personally.

#1: It Can Boost Your GPA

If you're worried that taking a year off from school will cause your grades to suffer once you go back, don't be! Studies of gap year students have shown that people who take a gap year actually get higher grades in college compared to their peers who don't take a gap year.

Why is this? There are several potential reasons. Many students, especially at those at risk of academic burn-out, benefit from taking a year off studying so they can return with more energy and motivation. Taking a gap year that relates to your future career can also help you get more excited about your studies so you're more interested in your classes and motivated to do well. Planning and carrying out a gap year also often increases your organization skills, maturity, and confidence, all of which can help you do better in school once you return.

If I could change one thing about my gap year, I would have done it earlier, either before I went to college or immediately after . By the time I took my gap year, I had been in school for nearly 20 years straight, and I spent the last year of my Master's program just trying to get my work done as quickly as possible because I was so sick of school. Taking a gap year earlier would likely have helped me reset and go through grad school with more motivation and energy.

#2: You Can Get Serious Work Experience

A gap year is often a great way to get experience specifically related to the career you want. Many companies and organizations offer half-year or full-year internships or volunteer positions, but most people can't do them because they are busy with school or work.

This means these positions are actually often easier to get than many summer jobs, and since they're longer you'll have the benefit of gaining more experience and making stronger connections with the people you're working with. This can mean better letters of recommendation and useful contacts when you're trying to get a job later on down the line.

If you spend your entire gap year working in the field you want to go into you'll have experience that few other college students do. That can help set you apart in the future when you're applying to jobs or grad school. By the end of my gap year, I had a full year of teaching experience, a year of volunteering experience at an NGO, and I had significantly improved my French skills. Any one of those could make me more qualified for potential jobs.

#3: You'll Gain New Skills

You may not want to spend your gap year working in the field you plan on majoring in and getting a career in, and that's also fine. Plenty of people choose to spend their gap year doing something they'd never have a chance to do otherwise, and the good thing is, you'll still gain useful skills and knowledge, even if they're not directly related to your future career. So if you've always wanted to learn how to survive in the wilderness, explore South America, work at a ski lodge, etc., this is the time to do those things.

Also, you may end up using some of those skills in your future jobs, even if you didn't think you would at the time. During my gap year, I learned all about the ins-and-outs of the French education system, which I thought was interesting at the time, but not something I'd ever need to know again. As it turns out, I later got jobs with a focus on international education, and many of the things I learned in France were still applicable for those jobs. So that information has been useful after all!

#4: You Can Make Money

This isn't the case for all gap years, obviously, but if you decide to take a job or an internship during your gap year that pays, you could make a significant chunk of change during that year. Even if your job only pays minimum wage, you can still make about $15,000 in a year if you work full time, and you can put that money towards paying for school or another expense.

If you choose to use your gap year salary to help pay for school, not only will you be able to take out fewer loans initially, but because your loans are smaller, they'll accrue less interest than larger loans would. Student loan interest alone can easily total several thousand dollars by the time you graduate, so if you use your gap year job to pay for more of your school costs upfront, you'll be saving money in two ways: by taking out fewer loans and by having less interest on those smaller loans.

#5: You'll Meet Tons of New People

No matter what you decide to do during your gap year, you're practically guaranteed to meet new people. Even if you already have great friends, a gap year is an excellent way to meet different kinds of people you wouldn't normally come across.

And in addition to expanding your social circle, you can even use these new friends as networking contacts if they work in a field you want a job in or know someone who can get you a job. Networking and finding useful career contacts is something colleges regularly encourage students to do, and you'll be ahead of the pack if you start doing this during your gap year program.

#6: You'll Get a Better Idea of What You Want to Do

Many students are reluctant to take a gap year because they worry it'll put them "behind" their friends and peers, but that's hardly the case. Taking a gap year can help you get a much better sense of what kind of career you actually want. This can save you years of time and tens of thousands of dollars in tuition money compared to graduating with a certain degree, taking a job in that field, and then realizing it's not what you want to do with your life.

When I was in college, I had lots of friends who wanted to be doctors. Only a fraction of them ended up graduating from med school; the rest realized medicine wasn't actually the field for them. Many of them only came to this conclusion after graduating college with degrees in human biology, and a few even started med school before changing their career goals and dropping out.

It's not a guarantee, but these students may have had a much better idea of whether medicine was right for them if they'd spent a gap year working in a hospital or shadowing a doctor. Even if this put them "behind" for a year, it's much less time and money lost compared to people who don't discover until after college that they don't like the career they got their major in and now need to find a different job or go back to school and get a new degree.

Taking a gap year early on can actually put you ahead of a lot of your peers because you'll have a better idea of what you want. Even though I spent most of my time during my gap year teaching English to French students, the part that I thought would be most useful for my future career was the volunteering I did at an environmental NGO since that's the kind of career I thought I wanted. As it turned out, during my gap year I discovered I didn't like that kind of work at all, and although it was somewhat alarming to realize I suddenly had to rethink my future, it was much better to figure that out earlier than after returning from the gap year, applying to a bunch of NGO jobs, getting one, probably moving somewhere new, and realizing I hated it.

You could also go do a gap year in something you never considered a career in, love it, and end up deciding to get future jobs in that field. I have a friend who was majoring in engineering, but she spent a gap year working as a concierge in a hotel and ended up deciding to pursue a career in hotel management. You really only know if a certain career is a good fit for you after you try it out, and a gap year is a great, low-risk way to get that experience.

3 Tips For Planning a Great Gap Year

In order to get all or many of the gap year benefits we just discussed above, you have to put some thought and planning into your gap year. Waiting until the last minute to figure how you're spending the year could still lead to a positive experience, but in order to get the most out of your gap year, start your planning at least several months ahead of time (many of the most competitive jobs and internships have application deadlines around this time), and follow the three tips below.

Figure Out What You Want to Accomplish During Your Gap Year

The most important part of planning your gap year is to decide what your goals for it are. Do you want to travel? Earn some money? Volunteer for an organization you love? Gain experience in the field you want to go into?

Start with your broad goal(s) for your gap year and gradually narrow them . If you want to travel where do you want to travel to? What do you hope to gain from traveling? Will you need to work to help cover your expenses? If you want work experience, what kind of places would you like to work at? Does it have to be paid, or can you do unpaid or volunteer work? What are you hoping to gain from the work experience? Something to put on your resume, professional connections, both? Keep asking yourself questions about what you want from your gap year until you have a solid idea of exactly what you're hoping to get from it.

Here's the list I came up with for my gap year goals:

• Travel to new places
• Learn foreign language skills
• Get experience working for non-profits
• Make enough money to support myself

After doing a lot of research, I decided that teaching English in France, while volunteering at a nearby non-profit, was the perfect way to meet each of those goals.

Decide on Your Timeline and Budget Early On

Figuring out what you want to do during your gap year isn't the only important decision you'll make. You also need to figure out early on how much time and money you can put towards your gap year.

Most people spend an entire year on their gap year, but you may only be able to spend part of a year due to classes or work. Figure that out early on so you don't end up applying to jobs or programs you can't complete. Setting a timeline also ensures your gap year won't stretch on indefinitely, a fear some parents have for their children.

If you're worried about your gap year going longer than you originally planned, having a firm end date set upfront can help you stick to your schedule, as can choosing gap year programs with their own end dates, such as visas that expire or classes that end after a certain number of months. When I got my job in France, my work visa was only valid for a year, which gave me a nonnegotiable deadline for when I had to leave.

Budget is also important. If you're going to be living with your parents during your gap year, you may have few or no expenses, but if your gap year includes travel and/or a program with admission fees, those costs could quickly add up. Again, figuring out how much you can spend on your gap year early on will reduce the chances of you finding a program or activity you love only to later realize it's not in your budget. I had a bit of money budgeted for my gap year, but I also knew I'd need to get a job that paid me so I could cover my living expenses and begin paying off my student loans.

Keep Yourself Busy

If you spend your gap year working, say, ten hours a week at a job or volunteer position, that isn't the best use of your time. You'll have so much downtime that the experience will detract from your future college and work applications rather than enhance them. You want to make sure you're spending your time productively during your gap year, which may mean taking more than one job or doing a combination of classes and work.

You don't need to exhaust yourself, but aiming for about 30-40 hours of work/classes a week is a good benchmark to set. This ensures you're getting the most out of your gap year benefits and shows schools and employers that you're a hard worker and who your time productively.

My job as an English teacher only took up about 25-30 hours a week, so I used my extra time to take French classes, volunteer at an environmental organization, and travel around Europe on the weekends. Teaching English was the main purpose of my gap year, but filling my time with other activities helped me get the most out of my experience and gave me more to talk about when asked how I spent the year.

Conclusion: Should I Take a Gap Year?

Is a gap year a good idea? Gap years aren't for everyone; some people are happy to stick to the path they're on or can't take a year away from work or school, and that's fine. However, for many people, a gap year is a great way to do something you've only dreamed of doing, whether that's traveling to a new part of the world, hiking the Appalachian Trail, working on a cruise ship, or whatever else you're interested in.

Some people dislike gap year programs because they feel students are too young to do them, or they think it's more important for students to finish their education first and get some work experience before taking a year off.

However, there will never be an easier time in your life to take a gap year. As you get older, things like student loans, mortgages, families, and jobs you don't want to leave begin to pile up, making it harder and harder to achieve your goal of a gap year the longer you wait.

Postponing your gap year can often mean it won't happen at all, so take advantage of one of the few times when you can uproot your life and try something new without lots of things holding you back. Before I decided to take a gap year, I was worried I was going to mess up my life by not following the "plan" I was told was the way to success, but not only was my gap year a great experience, it put me in a better spot financially and professionally than I had been at before.

What's Next?

Have you decided to do a gap year? Get more information on how to find gap year ideas and start planning with our complete guide to gap years.

Do you have the opportunity to study abroad in high school? This comprehensive guide discusses what it means to study abroad as a high schooler .

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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• Medical School Application

Medical School Gap Year Secondary Essay Examples

If you have taken time off and need to explain why in your application, you should look at a medical school gap year secondary essay example or two. If you have taken a gap year before medical school , you might find yourself in the position of needing to explain why. Most medical schools provide an opportunity to speak to this gap year, often in your medical school secondary essays .

It’s important to talk about your gap year because the gap can be seen as either a positive or negative by your institution. You need to show yourself as the perfect candidate, so take advantage of this opportunity.

In this article, we’ll talk about gap years and give you medical school secondary essay examples that speak specifically to gap years. This way, you can write your own and attend the med school of your dreams.

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Article Contents 10 min read

Why take a gap year.

There are lots of great reasons for a gap year as well as a couple of uncomfortable reasons that you can turn into positives.

Unsure of taking a gap year before medical school? Watch this video:

Medical school is expensive. You might have needed an extra year to work a job or two and save up. This is not a problem; admissions committees know this. If you’re heading into your gap year, try to find work that has some bearing on health care so that you can double up on reasons for your gap year.

You can’t make an essay out of, “I needed money,” however. You should talk about your responsibilities, which could include supporting family members. You should also demonstrate your prudence, planning, and forethought and talk about your long-term goals. This way, you’re not just discussing the reality of needing money but illuminating your character and showing why you’re an ideal candidate for medical school.

You might need to pick up extra courses to make your application work. Maybe you actually need a course you don’t have. Maybe you just want higher grades for a better transcript, so you’re retaking some classes. However it shakes down, picking up your academic muster is a great reason for a gap year.

When speaking to your courses, talk about how they have improved your knowledge and understanding – show, don’t tell, using examples that show your improvement.

You wanted to see the world, meet people, and find out about other cultures, so you took a year off while you had the opportunity. Great! Medical schools love a well-rounded individual who has the empathy derived from journeying to other destinations. Talk about your travels in the world and how they have shaped and changed your outlook on life.

Personal Reasons

Sometimes, personal responsibilities create pitfalls that get in our way. You might have had to deal with an illness or other strain in your personal life. This could be tragic – like the loss of a loved one and the fallout from that experience. Taking a gap year to deal with trauma is fine. Talk about your experiences – as much as you are able – and how they have changed you.

Requirement or Failure

This is the hardest gap year essay to write. You flunked a course and needed to retake it. How to get into medical school with a low GPA requires making certain moves – like retaking courses – to realize your dream. If you need a higher score due to medical school GPA requirements , or because you can’t get into medical school with a low MCAT , you might need to write about this experience.

Take heart: you can turn a negative into a positive! Say that you could have taken your lower grades and gone for one of the easiest medical schools to get into but that you are convinced that an institution with higher thresholds would fit you best. Provide the reasons you believe that is true. Talk about how you don’t rest until you’ve worked your hardest. Talk about how your failures will never hold you back or be repeated. Your “failure” can turn into an essay about the hardest-working, fastest-learning student the admissions committee has ever seen.

You need to highlight the experiences you have had, lessons you’ve learned, and growth you’ve undergone during your gap year. At the same time, avoid vagueness in your essay that will leave your admissions committee thinking poorly of your usage of time.

• Highlight extracurriculars for medical school that you’ve picked up.
• Talk about a job that’s helping you pay for medical school.
• Show what you’ve learned while picking up prerequisites for medical school .
• Show how you’ve learned from past mistakes.
• Complain about circumstances that caused the gap year. You can speak to the reasons why, just don’t be negative – that sounds like you’re stuck wallowing in self-pity.
• Give the impression you haven’t done much over the gap year.
• Just list activities you participated in without expanding on how you have grown as a result.

While essays from different schools might have different word limits, most are between 500 and 750 words. You can go a little lower or higher than that, depending on the school.

Medical School Gap Year Secondary Essay No.1: 

I was heartbroken. On reviewing my transcript in connection with my top-choice medical school, I discovered that I was two courses short. Inorganic Chemistry – with lab – and a mathematics course in Statistics were both prerequisites. As it had been communicated to me, they were optional, and I had taken different courses for chemistry and math.

At first, I was filled with despair and anger, but those feelings passed quickly as I realized that I could be upset all I wanted, but what I really wanted was to move forward and go to the school of my dreams. It wasn’t time to feel sorry for myself; it was time to get to work.

While I was not keen to delay my future, I took advantage of every option I could. I was able to take both courses at a local community college and have time to really focus on them, plus I could get a job and save up money for medical school.

What I had been dreading, I wound up loving. My Inorganic Chemistry course was fascinating. I particularly loved the laboratory work, where I wound up doing experiments in thermodynamics. I was allowed to come in on weekends to conduct research; I had to ask for extra time because of how exciting and engaging I was finding the work to be. My research was on how energy is lost in energy-matter conversions, and I wrote a paper on why perpetual motion machines cannot work. I’m not pretending this was groundbreaking research, but it was a wonderful expedition into a new world.

In the second half of my course, I researched magnets and how they might affect medicine. I’m not talking about the use of magnets in healing, but how magnetic fields might affect medical technology. We use magnets in MRIs, for example, but these can damage other medical technology like pacemakers. I found all the lab work and experimentation in this course both intriguing and inspiring. 

Statistics class was less fun. Cataloguing and number crunching has never been my strong suit, and I must admit that this disinclination toward this branch of mathematics was why I avoided the course when I thought it was optional. However, as difficult as I found it, I am glad I took the course. While I still don’t enjoy working with statistics, I am comfortable doing so. This has improved my confidence, and I no longer feel intimidated when contemplating the prospect of documenting patients or looking for anomalies in datasets to help diagnose problems.

My gap year started as a frustrating necessity that I accepted with a sigh. But during the year, I have gained confidence, piqued my curiosity, and learned that hard work and a good attitude can change a very negative experience into a positive one. I feel like a better person – not just a better candidate – thanks to this wonderful year.

Here're some more tips for making your medical school application stand out:

Medical School Gap Year Secondary Essay No.2: 

When we got the news, I was heartbroken, but not because it would mean a delay before pursuing my dream of becoming a doctor. Well, that was part of it, but my real sorrow came from the news that my mother was very sick and would need a tremendous amount of care.

It wasn’t just one thing, but several. In addition to a recent cancer diagnosis, she had had a bad accident while mountain climbing – one of her passions – and suffered a fractured leg and a concussion. I knew that between home care and medical bills, I would not be going to school in the fall.

Mom insisted that I go anyway, but I knew she would need me at home, so I insisted right back until she gave in. She’s not always easy to get along with, particularly since the concussion. It doesn’t matter to me. We might argue from time to time, but she’s still my mother and I couldn’t love her more if I tried. So, I canceled my medical school applications with letters of apology, and I learned what kind of home care Mom would need.

I was already working a part-time job in the evenings, doing some lab work with my Uncle Greg. Uncle Greg is a big influence in my life, and his scientific leanings inspired me to study biology and ultimately medicine. Moreover, he is more of a dad than anyone I’ve ever known. I explained the situation to Uncle Greg, and he offered me as many hours as he could. I also picked up a job working at a hardware store.

Everything went fine for a month or two, but I was feeling the emotional strain. Uncle Greg came around more to help out, and a neighbor also started coming by. This is when I recognized the importance of community in handling hard times. Pride is a luxury: I asked for help and got it. I found so many people in my friend circle who were willing to help, even in little ways like preparing a meal or letting me vent my frustrations and helping me emotionally.

Throughout my gap year, I came to appreciate the value of family and community as I never had before. It was harrowing and difficult, but I came through feeling cared for and loved by friends and by my community at large. Mom is doing much better now, and we’re finally in a place, in terms of health and finances, that allows me to apply to medical schools again.

Your school is at the top of my list due to its emphasis on programs like rural medicine and other community initiatives. With my love and understanding of the importance of social networks, I believe our values are aligned, and your institution will benefit me more than any other could.

The hard part wasn’t looking at a transcript with such a low GPA; it was knowing I would have to admit it. My parents were furious, and I had nothing to say because I was angry at myself, too; I let myself down. After the initial shock and disappointment, however, I knew that I could not accept defeat. I would push past this and fight harder than ever for my goals in life. I let my passion drive me forward instead of holding me back.

I re-enrolled in classes to bring up my test scores. I targeted the classes that had the low grades – I hadn’t flubbed everything, after all.

I knew that to bring my grades up, I would need a whole new routine. So, I applied multiple methods to improve my results. First, I talked to a friend of mine who I knew had stellar grades. She helped me by explaining her study habits to me, and I used her rubric for inspiration to create my own. One of the most fascinating things she told me was about breaks and burnout. She said I was essentially studying wrong by studying in too-intense bursts. By spreading out my sessions and breaking up studying with physical activity, chores, work, or relaxation, I would achieve better results.

I also now employ a study app on my smart phone. This app helps me set up lesson plans and study sessions and keeps me in balance with other activities and nutrition. Nutrition surprised me, too, because while I understood that eating right was good for you, I had let my dietary habits slip in school; it’s easy to get hooked on junk food. I quit junk food cold turkey and switched to a healthier diet. Almost immediately, I saw results in my ability to learn and process information.

My improved studying habits paid off, and my three worst grades turned into my three best grades. On top of it all, I had restored some balance in my work-play-school and improved my health. My low grades had turned into a major lifestyle revision, which has left me feeling happier and healthier as well as more prepared for medical school applications.

You’re now ready to write your own medical school gap year secondary essay. Keep in mind that all essays boil down to selling yourself as perfect for the institution you’re applying to. Even a gap year essay comes down to addressing, “ Why this medical school ?” or “ Why should we choose you ?”

How to write a college essay can be hard. Even knowing how to start a college essay can be difficult! In addition to studying medical school secondary essay examples, we also recommend finding a college essay review service , which can be of great help.

At this point, you’re ready to start writing about your gap year with skill and knowledge that only essay examples can give!

This changes from school to school, but 500 words is about average. Sometimes this is given in a character count – assume it includes spaces unless otherwise told – or a page count, but the main thing is to never exceed the limit.

We recommend you take a little time every day for 2 or 3 weeks. You have to write it, refine it, and proofread it – and that’s even before sending it out for other people to look over.

As we’ve said, a gap year can be a great advantage. If you’re going to use your time well, then yes, it’s worth it, but you also need to factor in your timeline for your future goals, too.

Yes. Everything counts because it gives an impression of who you are: a careful spellchecker, or somebody who doesn’t care about their work.

You’re probably thinking surface-level. Maybe you needed money, so you got a job. What’s to write about? Tell the story of your dreams of med school, the hardship of knowing you can’t afford it, and how you won’t quit due to a hurdle in your path. That story is compelling and interesting. You probably learned something valuable along the way, too.

It’s recommended. If you took the gap year, it would be good to know why. You don’t want ambiguity leading the admissions committee to thinking that you just did nothing for a year.

Pick a main reason and focus on that. Mention the others in one paragraph or connect them to the main reason. For example, maybe you were saving up money but also helping your family through financial troubles. You can easily talk about both in the same essay. It is good to stay focused, however.

Some schools won’t have a gap year essay, or secondary essays, so there might not be a direct prompt. If your school doesn’t have a direct prompt, you can use some of your medical school personal statement to speak to your gap year – it is part of your journey to med school, after all.

If the institution you’re applying to has no essays whatsoever, you cannot address the gap year directly. Trust that they don’t need to hear about it, or will ask about it as one of their medical school interview questions .

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The DiCaprio effect when dating after 50

Men prefer younger women. if you’re a woman over 60 — maybe even 50 — you know i’m right..

I hope to secure funding for a new dating site for older singles, one that will distinguish itself from the competition by requiring a pledge from the men who sign up: They have to be willing to date women their own age.

I expect it to be a dismal failure. If you’re a woman over 60 — maybe even 50 — you know I’m right. If you’re a man of that age, you’ve probably stopped reading by now.

This is not a new phenomenon, as Robert De Niro and Al Pacino or Leonardo DiCaprio can tell you. But the film “ The Idea of You ,” about an age-flip romance between Solène, a 40-year-old art gallery owner and divorced mom, and Hayes, a 24-year-old boy band singer, was, shall we say, a trigger. There is such a thing as too much fantasy.

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I prefer data — and after three months on a dating site, I have it.

I left my marriage after 30 years and spent the next 10 not looking very hard for a date. One dear man retired the search for two years before he proved that we are all mortal, and after that, for awhile, I decided to be the single woman of mystery at the end of the bar. But lately I’ve missed being half of a couple, so I invested in a 3-month dating site membership and waited to see what would happen.

What a rush of attention. Every day the algorithm sent me a batch of potential dates ranked by a “percentage match” number based on how many variables we had in common. It was my first clue that something was off. A few matches hit the 70 percent mark, but the vast majority sat in the ratings basement, low 40s and high 30s. I read, go to the movies, ride my bike, bake pies, cook, and subscribe to legacy media. Nothing very unusual — so why was I out of sync with available men?

Because I am as old as they are.

They prefer younger women. They are the men “The Idea of You” complains about in passing, as though they were a museum diorama, an extinct species, and not a thriving, chronic insult to the very women they dated back when we were all in high school.

I had time on my hands, given the age issue, so I drew up a list of each candidate, by age, alongside his target age bracket. A few ventured bravely into an age-appropriate range, but one cluster wanted a date as much as 20 years their junior, and another was ready for a 30-year gap. My personal favorite was the guy pushing 70 who imagined that an 18-year-old woman would find him fetching. (A friend explained that this was likely a wealthy man prepared to be a sugar daddy, a story for another day.) All told, about two-thirds of the men with whom I shared multiple interests ignored me, seemingly because of my birthday.

And, yes, I know a few long-married couples who’ve survived a substantial double-digit age gap. I’m talking trend, not isolated exceptions.

I was paying, literally, to be rejected by strangers for being their contemporary. Why? Appearance is the obvious answer, because our culture tells us that the very wrinkles that make a man appear dignified and wise make a woman appear wizened and tired. Beyond that, I think boomer men want someone to take care of them, despite all of their 1970s talk about equality , and they probably worry that women their own age, those noisy second-wave feminists , are going to call them on it.

Not that younger women are eager to step into a caregiver role, tradwives notwithstanding, but at least the optics, from the guy’s point of view, are better. Besides, consider the first thing Solène did for Hayes after he flashed money and power by buying up the contents of her gallery, Solène, who may be considered middle-aged in the movie but is a youngster to my cohort: For all her professional and sexual autonomy, she took him home and made him a sandwich. Old expectations die hard.

If a man finds a partner who’s 15 years younger than he is — he’s 68 and she’s 52, say — and they live to their actuarial potential, he could well end up the center of attention for the rest of his life. She’ll be alone again just in time to be too old to date men her own age.

I wonder how we got as far as we have, in terms of redefining women’s roles — not far enough, sure, but as far as we have — only to have progress grind to a screeching halt when it comes to relationships late in life.

And, no, I don’t think every woman needs to be half of a couple, any more than I think every woman needs to have a career or a baby. I do think it ought to be our choice, rather than one that’s imposed by a man searching for the fountain of youth. Millennials might want to take heed, as the leading edge of that generation looks at 40 in its rearview mirror. They have a decade, maybe a bit more, to figure out how to change this.

If they don’t, I have sad news for Solène, because age is going to catch up even with her someday. With a nod to the Beatles: Will he still need her, will he still feed her, when she’s 64?

And he’s 48?

Karen Stabiner is a journalist. Her most recent book is “Generation Chef: Risking It All for a New American Dream.”

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