applyin to college after a gap year

[Anonymous]

Does anyone do this from the get-go?

It seems like it would be easier to apply to college while still in high school and then defer a year.

But I can also see that a year of enrichment would bolster the admissions chances for later.

If you know you are likely to 1) take a year off and 2) it will boslter admission chances, are there ways to take advantage of that boost?

[Anonymous]

Apply from high school. If you wait a year it's just more competition from next year's crew. If you need an extra year for enrichment that's not a plus.

[Anonymous]

Bad idea

[Anonymous]

Agree bad idea. I don’t think there is any chance a student will “look better” after a gap year. They are still relying on their high school record.
Go to community college, get a 3.9 and transfer as a sophomore rather than reapply as a freshman, which would be the same three ring circus it is now.

[Anonymous]

Bad idea in life, or to "look good?" And what part is a bad idea- a gap year is a bad idea, or applying within/after the gap year?

[Anonymous]

To be clear, she wants to go to college - I wouldn't anticipate she'll have a big problem generally.* But if she is doing something truly engaging, that doesn't matter toward admisions, is that I am hearing you say?

*so going to a community college instead of a gap year instead of going straight from high school to "normal" college doesn't really make sense unless I am missing something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bad idea in life, or to "look good?" And what part is a bad idea- a gap year is a bad idea, or applying within/after the gap year?

Read the previous answer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be clear, she wants to go to college - I wouldn't anticipate she'll have a big problem generally.* But if she is doing something truly engaging, that doesn't matter toward admisions, is that I am hearing you say?

*so going to a community college instead of a gap year instead of going straight from high school to "normal" college doesn't really make sense unless I am missing something.

So then you apply, get accepted, and defer for a year.
But it doesn’t make anyone “look good”, a gap year is for the student’s growth, it is not a “booster”

[Anonymous]

If you want a gap year (and I think it’s a great idea for some kids—I wish I had done it), your best option is to apply in senior year as usual and then defer. You can always apply to more schools at the end of your gap year and then switch (losing your deposit at the first school), but typically your best shot at admission is straight out of high school.

Enrolling in a community college for a year or two and then transferring to a 4-year college is a totally different thing and absolutely fine, either as a way to save money or because a kid bombed high school and needs to be able to recommit to academics and do well in cc to be able to get into a 4-year school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be clear, she wants to go to college - I wouldn't anticipate she'll have a big problem generally.* But if she is doing something truly engaging, that doesn't matter toward admisions, is that I am hearing you say?

*so going to a community college instead of a gap year instead of going straight from high school to "normal" college doesn't really make sense unless I am missing something.

So then you apply, get accepted, and defer for a year.
But it doesn’t make anyone “look good”, a gap year is for the student’s growth, it is not a “booster”

This.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much!

As a native DC person who isn't in the area anymore, I find these answers fascinating. I am grateful for the help, but also think:

1) it's interesting some people interpreted it as "only" about looking good and/or having bombed high school so she could get in somewhere better.
2) I see now I wasn't specifying the "why," but I was thinking more "she will do a gap year for her personal development (which I wish people thought the colleges would like - it doesn't reflect well on colleges that they wouldn't - but whatever) and why not get an advantage in admissions out of it?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much!

As a native DC person who isn't in the area anymore, I find these answers fascinating. I am grateful for the help, but also think:

1) it's interesting some people interpreted it as "only" about looking good and/or having bombed high school so she could get in somewhere better.
2) I see now I wasn't specifying the "why," but I was thinking more "she will do a gap year for her personal development (which I wish people thought the colleges would like - it doesn't reflect well on colleges that they wouldn't - but whatever) and why not get an advantage in admissions out of it?"

I think what people are trying to tell you is that "personal development" is not a strong addition to her application, unless she has a specific, long-term, full-time path that would not be available to her as a student. Taking a year to pursue national or international competition (in chess, a sport, etc.), apprentice for 40+ hours/week with a leader in art/music/sport or learn and work a trade, get a growing business off the ground (not in a "passion project charitable foundation that exists only on my applications" way) -- these are all measurable, reportable uses of her time, as is going to community college.

Joining a two-week voluntourism group to provide clean drinking water in India and then spending 6 months "finding herself" on the Goa beaches is recreation, not personal development. Nor is traveling Europe and keeping a YouTube travel review journal. AOs read applications with the question "How does this student choose to spend their time and energy?" That goes doubly so with applicants who no longer have school commitments to eat up large portions of their day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much!

As a native DC person who isn't in the area anymore, I find these answers fascinating. I am grateful for the help, but also think:

1) it's interesting some people interpreted it as "only" about looking good and/or having bombed high school so she could get in somewhere better.
2) I see now I wasn't specifying the "why," but I was thinking more "she will do a gap year for her personal development (which I wish people thought the colleges would like - it doesn't reflect well on colleges that they wouldn't - but whatever) and why not get an advantage in admissions out of it?"

Glad it helped OP.
Yes, improving your word selection and communication skills when you post will help get you better answers.

[Anonymous]

Basically, don't be this guy:

https://youtu.be/eKFjWR7X5dU?feature=shared

[Anonymous]

Unless what you plan to do during your gap year is amazing (i.e. curing cancer), the gap year will not give you an advantage during admissions.

My son is planning to take a gap and but he wanted to get admitted beforehand so that he wouldn't need to deal with applications, SATs, and chasing down high school teachers and counselors for recommendations later on. He has been admitted to his college and now he is in the process of applying for the gap year (keep in mind that not all colleges allow for this and even if they do, you still need to apply for the gap year once admitted). My son wanted to do a gap because he was incredibly undecided about his major and wanted to do a couple internships and classes to try different things out, which hopefully will give him more direction. He thought that if he went to college immediately without having any idea of his future plans, he might end up wasting money (i.e. switching majors and going on the 5 year plan). Also, he wanted a break from "school life" just to do something different for one year. Btw- if you take any classes during your gap year (after being admitted), you are usually limited to taking less than 11 credits (otherwise, you will be a considered a transfer). Also, if you receive a scholarship in your initial admission, you might lose the scholarship if you decide to pursue a gap year.