Gap Year

Have you heard of Gap Years? Without question, the majority of WKHS students move straight from high school to college, but this is not always the best option for every student. In the past few years I have had several students who elected to take a gap year which is a year off between high school and college. The one point that I would like to make though is that a gap year is not just hanging out at home, living in your parents basement, playing video games for a year. Students pursue lots of different options during gap years and colleges recognize that gap years can be a valuable opportunity for students to gain perspective, personal insight, and re-energize their love of learning before beginning their college careers.

Sometimes students elect to take a gap year if they haven't been accepted to a college where they feel like they will be happy to attend. In these instances students may decide to take a gap year and hope that their experiences during their gap year will enhance their applications for the following year when they apply the following year.

Other times, and perhaps even more frequently for Kilbourne students, is that students will still complete their applications during their senior year and then defer their acceptances for a year. If you are interested in pursuing a gap year opportunity, talk to your college admissions office to confirm if they will defer your enrollment date by a year (or a semester if you are taking a shorter time off between high school and college).

Want to learn more about gap year programs and opportunities? Check out these articles:

Young gap year farmers flourish in VT

Gap years create successful students

8 strategies for managing your teen’s gap year experience

How to choose the perfect gap year

Students benefit from gap years

Why students may not consider taking a gap year, but should

How to negotiate a gap year

Will taking a gap year hurt my daughter’s college chances?

Why top universities want students to take a gap year

Countdown to college: advantages of taking a gap year

NBC News’ Tom Costello: Taking a gap year before college changed my life

Why your high school graduate may want to take a gap year

Don’t send your kids to college.  At least not yet.