There are many alternatives to going to college. Some students delay college for a year while others choose to attend vocational schools or community colleges, or choose to enlist in the military.
A Gap Year is a great opportunity to do something unique between high school and college and is a time for a person to grow both as an individual and as a student. Benefits include travel, exposure to new cultures, and a chance to gain experience for your college admissions application or professional resume. It is also a chance to do some serious good in the world. For general ideas about Gap Year possibilities, see the following websites: gapyear.com, nextstepmagazine.com, and interimprograms.com, gapyear365.com.
The best way to arrange a gap year is to gain admission to college and then request that admittance be deferred for a year, if the college supports this option. This step will usually require that a plan for the deferred year be submitted and approved. If admission to college is not secured prior to the gap year, then the student must be sure to maintain contacts with high school counselors in order to complete the admission process the subsequent year.
Listed below are some opportunities that can be taken advantage of during a Gap Year:
Volunteer
Intern
Travel
Study Abroad--5th Year High School