Broaching the topic of a gap year with families is one of the most polarizing conversations that we have as college advisors. Why? Because many parents and students are afraid of it - they are afraid that a gap year will stop an educational path forever, that it will cost too much money, and for students, that they will be doing something that is too different from their peers (even though many of their peers will be silently jealous!).
As you think about a gap year, we suggest starting with your objectives and goals. Be reflective, just as you have been throughout your college search. A gap year can be a year to reset your academic focus (and even build missing skills), to explore majors and careers, and to earn money for college. Colleges, by and large, are very supportive of the experience that gap year students bring to their campuses.
In our tips section we offer some considerations around the timing and resources for planning your gap year. MOST students incorporate their gap year planning with their college search and application process and then ask for a year deferral from their first choice college among their admission offers. We also talk about what to expect both during your gap year and what your experience will likely be as a first year student with a year’s worth of wisdom and focus.
Time Stamps:
00:38 What Are We Learning This Week? Katelyn has been exploring the evolution of technology use in classrooms. When a college describes smart classrooms, what does that really mean?
06:18 Big Picture: We begin with a discussion of the history, variety and benefits of taking a gap year. We also address the most common concerns around taking a gap semester or year before starting college that can be addressed through an intentional planning process.
19:43 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” : Rapid fire questions for Katelyn around gap years.
21:12 Tips and Strategies include optimal timing and finding resources for gap year planning. We discuss structured gap program applications, deferral requests to your first choice college admission offer, and what to expect once you have committed to a gap year.
More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.
Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.
Thanks for listening!
