Get Into Harvard: Year Off After High School
One of my readers asked me this recently. His specific question was whether or not it would be a good idea to take a year off to join a volunteer program in Africa before applying again at schools such as UPenn and Stanford.
It told him that it was possible that it would.
You may wonder why I said “it might” rather than “it will”.
Acceptance to an Ivy League school is dependent on a number of factors that must all be balanced, one against the other. Here are some things to think about when considering a gap year:
#1 Taking a year off is like participating in summer activities. It will only help you if you are very, very busy doing really worthwhile things the whole time.
2. If the program, job, or activity you are involved with fits in with your overall plan for your future, it makes sense. For example, if you are truly concerned about global warming, and you spend a year studying Norwegian climate patterns, it makes sense and fits in with your big picture.
#3 Bear in mind that you will really only have about 6 months. Common Applications are due at the end of the calendar year. You will probably graduate from high school in May, so you will not have a full year for your gap year.
Click here for more info on Ivy League waitlists.
4. If your entire application is strong, it will be alright to take a year off. However, if you have low SAT scores or grades, a low transcript, and few or no extracurricular activities, a gap year won’t do you any good, no matter how beneficial or note-worthy it is.
Think about these 4 factors when you are considering whether you should work for your dad’s textile sales company for a year before admissions to Ivy League schools.
In the final analysis, a gap year may be helpful. However, you must be sure that you are a strong candidate in other areas to begin with and that your gap year only strengthens your candidacy.
A gap year is a very good thing as far as personal development is concerned. They are also a good way to have a productive break from academic life. However, a gap year will not insure your admission to the school of your dreams.
