Thoughts on Gap Year after deferring admissions in the US

[Anonymous]

Originally from the UK, where taking a gap year is very common.

What do you Americans think about taking a gap year after securing a university place, if the institution allows it? Why don’t more universities in the US offer the option to defer for a gap year?

My son is currently at Tulane, and they granted him a gap year two years ago. In the autumn, he did a Semester at Sea, followed by a French language programme in Paris during the spring. He’s now a second-year at Tulane, and the gap year was absolutely brilliant for him.

My daughter has just been accepted to Cornell, but she’s feeling a bit hesitant about asking for a deferral. She wants to spend 1 year in Asia studying languages. It seems she’d have to go through quite a process of outlining and justifying her plans for the year. That’s fair enough, but it doesn’t seem like there’s a guarantee the deferral would be approved. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

My kid, like your son, is so glad to have done a gap year! (Their SLAC required documentation but was happy to approve.) Seems like no harm in your daughter’s asking, especially to prevent future regrets!

[Anonymous]

My son also wants to take a gap year. He wants to accept the offer to Pepperdine, but he is afraid they do not grant Gap years. When should he approach his admissions counselor with the question? Is there a strategy behind these requests? Or is it simply a yes or no answer?

[Anonymous]

What’s the big deal? Just ask. Schools have a process/application for everything. If you are willing to bankroll Semester at Sea, start the process. The bigger question is why your child is hesitant to ask if she can have a gap year. It’s time for her to learn to assert herself. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son also wants to take a gap year. He wants to accept the offer to Pepperdine, but he is afraid they do not grant Gap years. When should he approach his admissions counselor with the question? Is there a strategy behind these requests? Or is it simply a yes or no answer?

Pepperdine seems easy- write you want to grow more in your faith then apply for at least one gap year adventure involving a religious foundation.

[Anonymous]

I'm all in favor of gap years, esp. for students who could use a bit more maturing to get the most out of college (academically and otherwise).

That said, only the richest students consider a gap year. Your kid gets marked by some as a dilettante by peers in the US. I don't know if that's different in the UK . . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s the big deal? Just ask. Schools have a process/application for everything. If you are willing to bankroll Semester at Sea, start the process. The bigger question is why your child is hesitant to ask if she can have a gap year. It’s time for her to learn to assert herself. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

+1 she can call and ask what % of requests are deferred. It sounds like her plan is a great academic endeavor. My kids friend headed to Europe for his year to play golf.

Is her willingness to accept the offer of attendance riding on the gap year?

[Anonymous]

It sounds like she has an outstanding plan. I’m sure Cornell will allow her to defer - just ask.

[Anonymous]

Did a gap year myself many years ago. Most universities allow it, so if you think it will be beneficial take advantage of the opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Universities here are usually totally fine with it. Just ask. Worst that happens is they say no. usually they dont

[Anonymous]

Cornell will approve that. Gap years are very common for u.s. citizens.

[Anonymous]

I agree that gap years are generally approved; don’t worry about it, just go thru the process.

My daughter did a gap year (exchange student) and deferred matriculation at an excellent SLAC; came home fluent in another language and so much more ready for college…

[Anonymous]

most colleges approve almost any gap years with a plan - even working at McDonalds. they dont like kids who watch TikTok for a year.

[Anonymous]

Let her go! She has a solid plan and Cornell will be fine with it.

Our dd took a gap year and it was great for her. She pursued ballet. Requested a deferral but then rethought her plan and applied to other schools and ended up going to one of them. Spent the last 3 years pursuing various jobs and now applying for her STEM PhD and having success with top universities. Letting the teen decide is best.

Our other kid switched gears and changed colleges midway and is now doing much better and has matured more than if we didn’t accept the new plan.

Letting the kid lead yields a happier more successful kid much of the time.

[Anonymous]

Most colleges will approve a gap year but it’s not really a thing in the US