The Gap Year Track: What is it, and How do I get on?

Submitted by Paul on Tue, 06/17/2008 - 12:51

What's the Idea Behind Taking a Gap Year?

This blog is written especially for students, parents, and guidance counselors who want a better understanding of gap year, and to learn why a growing number of Independent Education Consultants are recommending a year out between high school graduation and starting college.

Even though the gap year is more widely understood in the U.S today, than say, five or ten years ago, we feel compelled to educate the masses, especially in the U.S. about this growing trend! "Gap year" is a term that refers to a prolonged period (often, but not always, a year) between two major life stages. Most gap years are taken pre- or during matriculation in a university or college, between college and graduate school and a profession.

The idea underlying taking a 'gap year' is that students who take a well-structured block of time after high school graduation to gain maturity, challenge themselves in new ways outside traditional class room settings, and explore career options and interests, ultimately do better in college, career and life than students who don't take a breather. What activities do students undertake during a gap year? The most popular options are volunteering, interning, traveling, teaching, studying and exploring other cultures. Search our site's database of Gap Year Options Gap Year Options,or read further.

As the Founder of Planet Gap Year, I am dedicated to getting the message out to students, parents and high school advisers that taking a "gap year", (a.k.a. "time out", "bridge year", "year out," "year off", "deferred year","overseas experience,")is gaining broad acceptance amongst U.S college bound students, their parents, and college admissions departments.

One factor helping to legitimize the 'gap year' as an alternative to starting college immediately after graduating high school are independent educational consultants recommending "gap year" options to students and their parents. According to the article, Private Educational Counselors, A New and Growing Resource, by Mark Sklarow, recently published on the IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) web site at www.educationalconsulting.org/news.html, over the last five years, the number of high school seniors working with a private counselor has doubled from under 60,000 to well over 120,000. IECA estimates that this number will double again over the next four to five years. According to the article, independent consultants help students and their parents to identify the best course of action after high school, which includes recommending colleges, gap year programs, career training, and other options. Planet Gap Year plans to provide articles and tips directly from these independent advisers in the coming months, so please stay tuned.

Experts in the field of higher education, are increasingly in agreement about the benefits of gap year for incoming freshman. One of the problems facing higher education in the U.S. is the high level of freshman students who drop out of college before sophomore year. The published statistics indicate about 1 out of every 4 will not return to campus for sophomore year. The reasons are multifaceted, but the main one is that students lack the emotional maturity and direction needed to succeed. The gap year option provides time for students who are not ready,to develop emotionally, gain a clearer sense of their own interests, and career direction.

The benefits of taking a 'gap year' most frequently reported by parents of gap year students include: Increased self-confidence, emotional maturity, academic and career direction, and improved life skills. Furthermore, students who have completed gap year experiences are coming forward to share the positive impact time out has made on their academic and career choices. (We publish such articles under the Stories section of our site). In depth research into the impact of gap year on student success in college and career are currently being undertaken by gap year experts in the U.S., and we will keep you posted when this information is made public.

For in depth planning information and resources, visit www.planetgapyear.com. Read stories from students who have already planned a gap year, search our database of gap year options. If you want a greater understanding of 'gap year' please read our FAQ's for parents and students, and read my blog for the latest news and commentary on the student gap year trend in the U.S. [123]

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