Stepping Out 

  a student's guide to education beyond the classroom
IS THIS
GUIDE FOR
ME?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TESTIMONIALS

 RESOURCES AND LINKS

SITE MAP

CONTACT US
COLLEGE/GRAD SCHOOL ADMISSION

Consider these facts:
  • Harvard University recommends students take a year off  "as a means to mature emotionally and intellectually." (CNN)
  • Over 3000 universities now grant deferrals. (Gail Reardon)
  • "Admissions counselors at professional schools tell us that taking time off for school is rarely a disadvantage for an applicant.  In fact, they often choose the student who took a year off and is ready to become fully engaged in school over the one who has been on autopilot and will burn out in a few months." (from Taking Time Off, by Colin Hall)

Contrary to popular myth, taking time off from school will probably not hurt your chance of admission.  And while taking time off is not as common here as it is in places like Britain (where an estimated 1 in 5 students participates in a gap year), universities are starting to see the benefits.  

Both Harvard and Princeton, in their letters of acceptance, ask students if they would like to defer a year.  An admissions officer at Middlebury College, where many students are deferred until second semester, says that the students coming in second semester are often times the stronger students.  They come in with experience outside the classroom and often end up being the leaders.  (Gap Year Advantage).

 Should I defer or wait to apply?
 
If you plan to take time off between high school and college (or between college and grad school) you can choose between applying and deferring, or just waiting to apply.  For college admission, I would recommend applying your senior year.  This way, you get the application out of the way and no longer have to worry about it.  Furthermore, many scholarships are available only for high school seniors; you may no longer be eligible if you apply during your year off.  You also have teachers on hand during high school to write letters of recommendation.   It is better to get those letters right away when their memory of you is the most fresh.  Go to the how page for more info on how to receive deferral.

However, applying during senior year is not right for everybody.  Maybe you really don't know what you want to do or where you want to go.  Spending some time thinking about that and/or trying out different options during your year off could help you focus in on your ideal school.  
   
In terms of grad school admssion, whether to apply or defer depends on a number of different things.  While it is not common for students to take time off before college (and therefore it is usually beneficial to apply during high school), the same is not true for graduate school.  If you are hoping to get more work experience in your field of study, you may want to wait to apply until you have some more experience under your belt.