taking a year off before college -- Virtually Advising Q+A

The Q: I just graduated high school a year early, but haven't taken the SAT yet. I'm planning to wait a year and then apply to college, but am worried it might hurt my chances of getting into four-year schools. Will they look down on me for taking a year off?

The A: This is probably going to sound kind of obvious, but the best way to ensure that colleges won't frown on taking a year off after high school is by making the most of that year off.

People do a "gap year" for any number of reasons: Some take the opportunity to do something (or go somewhere) they've never done (or gone) before; others look to pursue personal goals at home; Others try to save up enough money to pay their way through college. Still others try to resolve family, emotional or health issues that made it too difficult to go to college straight out of high school.

All of these reasons, and any number of others, can be perfectly valid, and likely wouldn't count against you when you eventually apply to college. In fact, I'd expect that in many cases such a "gap year" would actually be a big plus, for at least two reasons: One, it could give you a key opportunity to learn, grow and put your life in order, allowing you to apply to college as a more mature, self-aware, confident student. And two, it can give you something unique to add to your application -- something that would help you stand out from the crowd and provide killer material for application essays or interviews.

Of course, practical considerations aside, what's most important is that you've taken a year off for reasons you believe in, and that you've used that extra time wisely. Hopefully, you're not thinking of your time away from school as an extended vacation, but rather as an opportunity to explore, experience and learn more about yourself and the world -- or, if health/family issues are behind the break, to take care of the things that are most important to you. As long as you try to do that, I don't think you'll have any trouble when it's time to apply to college.

However, taking a year off before college means that you'll be more on your own when you do all the legwork that high-school seniors normally do: Researching schools, getting recommendation letters, visiting campuses and so forth. Much of that will be harder now that you're out of school, although your old high school should be able to provide you with all the help it can. To help make things easier on you, take steps now -- don't wait a whole year -- to get the ball rolling. Call up your high school's guidance office or college counseling center, let them know what you're planning and ask them if they can provide any help along the way.

If you had any teachers you were especially close with in high school, get in touch with them, too, and let them know you'd love to get a rec letter from them. If you've only just graduated, the odds are good they'll still remember you, and at any rate, the longer you wait before talking to them, the more likely they'll stop remembering you. If you have specific teachers in mind, I'd also recommend putting together a portfolio of the work you did in each teacher's class, as well as a list of your other achievements. Your teachers can use these materials for inspiration when they write their letters.

Best wishes, and good luck on the SAT!

—Myles Helfand, General Advisor

Response written Oct. 4, 2005; last revised Oct 30, 2005.