<p>(posted in harvard forum as well) </p>
<p>Did you / do you know of anyone who took a gap year and re-applied in the past few years?</p>
<p>if so, what did you do during your year? =] </p>
<p>Any thoughts on if gap year students are favoured/not favoured when they re-apply?</p>
<p>Princeton is very big on deferring enrollment for a year to go out into society. From what I hear, they do it because it’s extremely rewarding to experience other parts of the world, and their is so much room for growth in a year. I think Princeton attempts to foster a community that is both focused on learning and on the experience as a whole. So, I can’t imagine a gap year would HURT you, depending on how you used it.</p>
<p>Hi there theweester. My name is Victor, and I have recently been admitted to Princeton. I live in New Zealand, and I took my gap year from Dec 2008 to Feb 2010, after graduating from high school. For me, i think it was a very important phase of my life, as it really opened up opportunities that I would never have dreamed of if I went straight to uni in NZ. </p>
<p>During my gap year, I travelled to China, US, and Korea, and in between my travels I pursued my interest in music, and picked up several new hobbies along the way. I also self-taught myself the SAT and SAT subject tests, which I sat in May and June. I saw the world, I gained a more profound and mature perspective of life; I read so many books that broadened my understanding. All these things would not have been possible had I not taken my gap year. </p>
<p>I guess my circumstances are a little different to what you are asking, in that I didn’t apply to US colleges before taking my gap year. I have a friend, however, who reapplied after taking a gap year. He now has offers from Stanford, Brown, BU and several other places.</p>
<p>If you want to ask me more questions, feel free to message me!</p>
<p>Victor</p>
<p>thanks victor! any other comments? .__.</p>
<p>How exactly does gap year work? It seems like one does not get a whole year off … because most US high schools get out May-June…and the application cycle starts about Aug-Oct. so that only leaves 4-5 months at most to travel, work abroad…which is not even close to a “year” How do people get so much done within that 4-5 month span?</p>
<p>^ planning… ?</p>