Additional Information

Applying to College
1

Hi everybody,

I’m currently taking a gap year and I will mention it under the “additional information” section not to cause any confusion.

However, I just briefly elaborated what I’m currently doing and what my plans are before I start college.
Should I also mention why I decided to take a gap year in the first place?
I don’t know if that may raise any red flags.
There are 2 main reasons why I decided to take a gap year:

  1. At my high school in Switzerland, the school leaving exams were a huge thing. Without passing them, I wouldn’t have finished high schools and all 4 years would have been meaningless. Moreover, I neither wanted to neglect my work performance (I worked 3 days a week) nor my school performance during senior year. I wanted to graduate with an excellent grade and finish my apprenticeship with an overall great performance. (Both which I did)
    It would have been really challenging to self-study and take standardized tests during my apprenticeship (My high school followed a different curriculum so I had to self-study about 75% of the content).
    I also didn’t want to submit any “subpar” application, when I knew I could do much better.

  2. My family relocated from Switzerland to Colorado this summer. I felt like if I first acquaint myself with living in America (Even though I don’t plan to attend college in Colorado) and establish myself here (bank accounts, credit score, mobile phone, doctors, the way of living etc. ) the transition from Colorado to college would go smoothly and I can fully concentrate on school work and already feel “familiarized” in college.

So my main concern is, should I elaborate on these 2 reasons?
Or does it seem like I’m not capable of doing something what others do with ease? (Usually everybody applies during their senior year, so if they’re capable of doing it, why am I not…)
(because if I just explain that I’m taking a gap year and what I’m doing, it may not look as “bad”.)

I am aiming for relatively selective schools!

Am I needlessly overthinking this?

2

Yes, you’re overthinking it. Gap years are common and there is no reason to elaborate on why. I would not offer an explanation. Heck, they might just figure it is based on your move from the HS record from Switzerland and your new address in Colorado.

3

@“Erin’s Dad” thanks for your answer! So don’t you think they might wonder why I took a gap year in the first place? Couldn’t that raise any red flags?

4

No this would not raise any red flag. Many people take time off between finishing high school and starting college. It truly is no big deal.

5

@happymomof1 alright, thank you for your answer!
I will not mention why. If it really interests them, they could still ask.