Sarah Selzer

Senior Reporter

Waiting outside an office in hopes of acquiring a full-time job or walking into an airport terminal to head off to a foreign country are not typically academic activities in the freshman college curriculum, but they are not that uncommon for students taking a gap year before beginning their studies.

Pursuing personal interests and gaining worldly experience are two key components behind the importance of gap years, according to College Counseling Director Rebecca Munda.

“I think gap years have become more popular because students are more aware of their options,” Munda said. “The majority of colleges are supportive of gap year programs and support students who pursue these programs as they feel these students are that much more mature and prepared for college.”

A gap year typically lasts from about three to 12 months depending on how long the students want to take time off, according to Munda.

“I decided to take my freshman year off from school in order to ride horses competitively,” Haley Schwab (’13) said. “While competing year-round in England and Spain, I was able to pursue my passion while working with Olympic champion Peter Charles at an international level. Taking a gap year was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made because gaining a professional and international experience helped me realize I could competitively ride as a future career.”

Students considering a gap year can apply to programs during their senior year of high school that cater to future goals, allowing them to explore different diplomatic affairs before they enter college.

“Their application process won’t necessarily be any different,” Munda said. “Students will still apply to colleges as other seniors will, and they will ask to defer their admission if they decide to choose a gap year and explore different interests.”

Gap years can be planned out in advance, but sometimes students can decide to take a year off to travel and pursue other activities at the last minute.

“After high school I had the opportunity to live in Chiang Mai for a new chapter in my life before I decided I wanted to go to college,” Yun Ji Kim-Bertken (’13) said. “In Korea I met so many incredible people from around the world while observing surgeries and working at Nakornping Hospital, the experience was truly once-in-a-lifetime.”

Ultimately students get to know themselves and what they want to do in life, according to Munda.

“Students work very hard in high school and have so much on their plate that sometimes they need a moment to step back and pursue something of interest besides academic work,” Munda said. “If a student chooses to take a gap year it can be truly beneficial to help achieve their future goals.”