I am seeking first or second hand reports of parents/students who opted for a gap year, and the outcome. My D committed to a less competitive BFA MT in state with a full tuition scholarship nearly two weeks ago-and I can tell that her heart is truly not committed to this decision. We went back over her list of other options-BAs in theatre, BAs in other interests…she feels best about the decision she made-but not good about it, if that makes sense. Going in, her intent would be to re-audition for transfer next year. But she feels badly about that-essentially lying all year; never really committing herself fully to the program in hand. Her academic stats are outstanding, and she received a lot of great academic scholarships; but we have been warned repeatedly that transfer scholarships are never as good as the Freshman awards.
I am not seeking advice-lots of sleep has been lost weighing pros & cons. I am seeking success (or horror) stories about the gap year!
I have said it before-I am grateful for this community, and regret not having found it earlier in D’s journey!
@ownsfolks, this was in “Not Getting into MT” thread–I posted there about my kids’ gap year experience, as well as in other places.
Three of my own kids did gap years, and the results were terrific–one went to Williams, one went to Northwestern, and one went to LAMDA. I’m only saying their results because a lot of people have this fear that if you take the gap you it will hurt you in some way.
Each of them had different reasons for a gap year but all were on board about the gap year. It’s really important to feel like the gap year is a good thing - not a consolation prize. Obviously if you don’t get into colleges then at first it will feel like a consolation prize, or worse; but to make it work you do have to seize the moment and turn it into something positive.
We are not well off and my kids didn’t do anything fancy during gap year. All 3 worked. Also, while at home, they were not ‘trouble’-- meaning I didn’t have to worry about irresponsible choices, and they helped in the household.
I’ll detail their stories here for those who are interested–
Older D is an aspiring artist. She did get into her dream art school but we couldn’t afford it. She got into other great art schools, but in the process of negotiations and visits, she changed her mind & realized she didn’t want to go to an art school undergrad & would prefer to retry the next year and apply for a LAC. She worked all year as at the local municipal library, where she’d been volunteering for two years. They offered her a job as a children’s library assistant, which she did, about 30 hours/week. She also used some of her money to travel to Europe and go on an archaeological dig (I didn’t pay). Before you knew it, applications came again. She applied and had really great stuff to write about - after all, she knew where she wanted to go and why - and got into Williams.
My younger D is an aspiring actor. She just didn’t apply to college. She didn’t feel ready. Now I do have to say that if you take the gap year you have to be ready for a) other kids all going to college and you being alone at home possibly wondering if you’re doing the right thing b) busy-bodies outright saying you are ‘dropping out’ and questioning you. We had both relatives and friends outright questioning me and her. It can get really obnoxious–just a warning.
She was a diner hostess about 30 hours/week. She also took adult classes at the local regional equity theatre, landed a role in a semi-professional Shakespeare company (in a bit part), and took a language class at the community college to strengthen her language requirement as she’d only had 2 years since she stinks at foreign languages.
For those considering community college btw, beware not to go over 12 credits. You want to enter as a Freshman. I mean if your plan is to enter as a transfer, that’s not a gap year—that’s a transfer.
She also worked on her auditions. She got into Northwestern.
My S was a bit different as he was a professional theatre actor and homeschooled, but he did take the gap year as he also felt he wasn’t ready, and worked as an actor (and took his GED). Honestly, believe it or not, he too had people saying he was a ‘college drop out.’ People can be very judgemental… So definitely be prepared for that!
I’m detailing all this to show that a gap year is certainly possible and doesn’t have to cost the parent any money other than the food for that year and probably driving costs, although my kids contributed to the costs. But the key is that you are doing it for what you feel is a positive reason.
For a BFA program, I would definitely 100% be sure to use the year to beef up the audition and target areas of need. Also if your SATs were weaker or if you want to improve, I’d retake (my younger D did)–this is good for scholarships/grants as well as getting into some BFA schools.
A lot of times, it’s simply a matter of maturing one year. Also it’s easier to do the audition circuit when you’re not in school full time!
PS regarding the warning you got that “transfer scholarships are never as good as Freshman scholarships”—I would really beware when people say ‘never’ and ‘always’ in their advice. My S was offered two sizable need/talent scholarships as a transfer into two different LACs. Both covered full tuition and then some. It does happen. It’s just rarer. He did have really strong SAT stats.
First, I think gap years can be a wonderful thing. Some top colleges even recommend them.
I have a nephew who applied to college in an arts field…recorded music / music production. Many of these programs are not only very competitive, but require a music audition (in his case, drums). I don’t think his family really knew what they were getting into. As it turned out, he got rejected everywhere, though had a good attitude. He chose to take a gap year. That’s when I became very active in his “case,” being that it was my brother’s son, and I am a college counselor. I fully advised him as if he were a “client” for the entire next year.
First, I helped him figure out how he was going to spend the gap year. These were the components: 1) internship in his field…I helped him with that entire process which involved applications and he landed a good one for the year; 2) additional training on his instrument with someone new who was on faculty at U of Arts who was familiar with the college audition process; 3) regular job to earn money; 4) a whole new guided admissions process. His gap year was really great for him.
In terms of his new admissions process, I helped him create an entire new college list with these specialized programs. Some schools required an audition to get into this degree program and some did not. This time, he had more that did not require an audition, though some required or had optional portfolios. The list was much more appropriate and balanced. I guided him through the application process…completely new recommendation writers, new essays, built an activity resume, built a music resume, prepped for interviews, made a recorded music portfolio (some schools wanted that), and so on…very unlike how they went about the process the first time. They underestimated the amount of time and effort to put together a competitive application and all that stuff. They considered me a “slave driver,” LOL.
Lo and behold, the second round, he got into every school but one on his list! He was so happy and said that it all paid off. He landed at SUNY Purchase and loved the program. He is now in the field, his passion. Happy ending.
I know you are not asking for advice.....but well, I can't help myself .....
I think your D has two optional paths here that are worth considering and one not so much:
Good options:
1) take a gap year and train more, create new college list, work to earn money, do some shows, etc.
2) look really closely at the BFA in MT program she got into....she applied for a reason, I presume.....it may not have been her first choice, but with a full ride, it is an option that she really might like if she gives it a chance without an outlook of "plan to transfer" at the outset......forget about the college admissions process and the schools that did not come through.....visit this one again and think it through....it really could be great.....I can't tell if she is just disappointed with this option and that the others she wanted didn't work out, or if she really doesn't like this school for solid reasons
Not so good an option:
1) Enter the BFA in MT program she got admitted to with the intentions of transferring. She may never embrace the school that way. But in any case, as you likely know, not only is money harder to come by for MT transfers, but the reality is that there are so few slots for MT transfers and it was already hugely competitive when she applied for freshmen admissions. Transfer MT odds are way worse. AND, many MT programs may make your D start over as a freshman and so that is five years of college (though I guess financially, she at least has a full ride).
Best to your D as she weighs the options. @soozievt gives really, really good advice, more specific to your circumstances.
I should add that I myself also advise for college admissions, though not at the same level (mostly I do SAT coaching). I do treat my own kids as clients that way. My oldest D was the only one who applied to BFA programs, then took a gap year, then reapplied in LACs. My other two were first-time applicants after taking the gap year. So their situation isn’t quite analogous to yours.
In all three cases though -as well as the case of my son who got two very high transfer grant offers - I encouraged them to really ‘argue their case.’ Their applications were very targeted to how they grew in their gap year, what they learned, why they took the gap year etc. For my S who transferred some 5 years after leaving his BA, it was even more imperative he cogently explained why he wanted the college, how he’d grown, and what he could offer them now.
All programs should be viewed as you’d view a job application–what can you offer the ‘company,’ how would you add to their value, and why specifically do you want to join. I put it that way because many of us are familiar with job applications, but somehow when we come to college applications, we can flounder. If you always keep in mind that the admissions committee is thinking of how you’d add to their college community, you can enter their mind frame easier.
For a gap year therefore, especially one in which you’re re-applying for a BFA, it’s very important to reflect what you’re doing during the gap year that is different from what you did the year before.
But if she takes the gap year, she should ask herself: where are her areas in need of growth? A good coach can really, really help here. When applying, think: How can you add your ‘value’? Why do you want the programs you are applying to? In your D’s case, she really has to ask herself what she wants. It’s very very individual. If she takes a gap year, she must make it a positive thing–a growth year. This can be done in any number of ways, including hiring a coach, and also really reflecting on personal goals.
But she can also immerse herself in the BFA program she’s accepted to now. The only way that would be bad is -as you say - she enters treating it like treading water, convinced beforehand she’ll transfer. It’s not so much that she’s ‘lying’ - kids change their mind all the time - as much as that it is basically a waste of time. If she goes, she needs to throw herself into it and see what happens. As @soozievt points out, she should not view it as a consolation prize. Once there, it is irrelevant that other people are in ‘better’ programs. Honestly, in-state ‘lower ranking’ BFA programs can be great, especially ones where you have a giant scholarship. A lot of times it depends on what you put into it. As I’ve written earlier, there are many paths to success there, and you can also - if you wanted - easily supplement your education via outside classes/courses/internships at many excellent summer programs, theatres, casting agencies, etc.
Good luck.
@connections & @soozievt : Thank you. Truly. You both help tremendously, and provide some clarity. I think that if D DOES decide to not matriculate, we will call it a “Growth Year” going forward, vs a Gap Year! @connections my 30 minute (teary for her) phone call (she boards at a PA high school this year) was right along the lines of your second comment: If you choose a Growth Year (love it), it needs to be disciplined & focused (on areas of opportunity.) If you choose to attend the program you committed to, you need to give 100%. It would not be ok with us if she didn’t. The concept of “wasting money” is seriously a non issue to us, in terms of 4 years vs. 5. We would only, and absolutely-feel like the (room and board) money (and time) were wasted if she were to show up-and not put forward her best effort/work.
@soozievt I very much appreciate your advice addendum-it validates my feelings, completely 
We know several kids who took MT gap years with varying results:
- did a post-grad year at Interlochen. Was WL at CMU and got accepted to several very good programs. Ended up at Syracuse.
2). Girl who did not have successful auditions her senior year stayed home, had part time job and worked with Mary Anna Dennard mostly via Skype. Next audition season was accepted to most schools to which she applied. Has had great summer stock jobs all thru school. Doing very well.
3). Boy had good audition success his first go round but did not go to school for financial reasons. Re-auditioned following year with better list of schools that met budget. Was not as successful the 2nd time around (not sure he was able to train much as had a full time job). But did have a couple of more affordable choices in the end.
Every case is different. But if the time is used wisely, a gap year can be extremely beneficial.
Glad more clarity is happening.
I forgot to mention one thing in my post…I also had my nephew write an extra essay (the common app allows the applicant to add anything extra)…a statement about his gap year…what he did and what he got out of it and so on and so forth. While not the same, my MT D had an extra essay statement on why she graduated HS early. These are all kinda “special circumstances.” I think a well crafted essay about the growth year as an extra statement piece (not the main essay) is important if your D takes the gap year.
Is it possible to start at the full tuition school with the intent that if it really honestly is not the spot for her she can leave at the semester? Basically she would be getting free training at the university and you would not be out of pocket for training during her growth year.
^^However, she’d then become a transfer student, making the odds of admission to a new BFA program more difficult.
Here is a past thread on a successful gap year experience:
@soozievt, are you saying she’d become a transfer student because most semester long programs would put you over a 12-hour limit for applying as a freshman?
@EmsDad HOORAY! You found it! Yes, that’s a good thread for gap year experience!
Thank you, @EmsDad -you are ever helpful! @bisouu the concern (besides the fact that she is really struggling with “ditching” on the program in a year) is that next year, as a transfer, there are nowhere near the academic scholarship $s/offers as there are when one is a true Freshman.So, the pro would be to spend very little (room and board) for the year, and have her in an environment where she would hopefully be learning and growing as an artist-but the risk would be not receiving nearly as good of a financial package for the next 4 years. @daughtersdreams has a D in this very situation now-she did one semester in a BFA MT; earned a 4.0-and financially would have been better off doing a Growth Year. It is truly a dilemma. That said-when D made her initial decision, I optimistically had hoped it would stick, like your D’s awesome, unexpected journey has. And maybe it still will. OY VEY!
Has your daughter expressed what she feels she would be missing if she went to the school that offers the BFA? Are there specific courses, location etc that are lacking? I’m just curious.
It’s good to hear these stories since S may be in the same situation. And growth year - I like it. Has a better connotation and is much clearer about the intent of the year.
This may have already been answered somewhere else, but if you take a GAP year can you reapply to the same schools the following year? I know you can academically, but what about artistically? They already rejected you once, will they remember that and is that a strike against you? Or do you have to apply to all new schools?
Some schools have an audition only once policy-but many/most allow at least 2 chances. IF we do this again-we would defer to a coach to help us form a list that would yield success.
Yes @owensfolks that’s a good plan. And I know several kids who got into good programs the second time around.
@bisouu - some schools will welcome you back to re-audition and will be interested in your growth from the previous audition, some will be ambivalent (and likely not remember you at all), and a few do not permit re-auditions.
Hey! I’m a student who took a gap year this year, and I can honestly say it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. In addition to preparing more and getting a firmer grasp on this crazy process, you also have the chance to grow and mature so much as a person. You have a lot of time to get to know yourself better as a person and figure out what you want in your near future, education, and life, without the distraction of being in high school. And if you, or in the OP’s case, your student, has a local theatre you love to perform with, you can still do that. You can get a job to make and save more money if you don’t have one already. And as the OP said, you can go into school the following year as a freshman so you don’t have to deal with going in as a transfer, which can make the process even more difficult I think. I’m going to copy and paste exactly what I had posted in the “Not Getting Into a BFA Program” thread so you can see how I went about it:
For other future students who may find this thread, I was a senior in high school last year and went into this college audition process not really realizing what I was heading into. I had one school that I thought was a safety (ended up being waitlisted and ultimately rejected academically), and auditioned at 3 programs. One rejection academically, one rejection artistically (from a school that I didn’t even really like anyways), and one BFA rejection that was a redirect into their BA Theatre Studies program. I initially decided to do the BA route with hopes of reauditioning and getting into the BFA my sophomore year. Put a deposit down and everything. By mid-summer (haha Shakespeare) though, I was realizing it was the wrong choice for me. The BA in Theatre Studies at that school just didn’t seem to offer the same opportunities as the BFA, and there was no guarantee I’d make it in my sophomore year anyway. Some schools have WONDERFUL BA programs in addition to their BFAs that offer great opportunities and exposure, but I didn’t feel this would be one of them. And also while I liked the school, I just plain wasn’t excited about going. At all. So after a LOT of thinking and crying and all that, I decided to make the unconventional choice of taking a gap year. And I do not regret it one bit. Probably the best choice I ever made actually. With taking a year off, you really get to think about what you really want in a program and in a school. Not just applying everywhere and to all the top programs because that’s what you feel like you need to do. Take time to think about what you REALLY want from your experience. I went into the college audition process this year with MUCH more preparation and auditioned for manyy more schools (17 to be exact, and all of which I genuinely like), and here I am with 4 acceptances to BFAs and BAs. Only one I’d really consider a reach, but that’s fine and expected (I also didn’t apply to any of the tippy-top programs, probably making my odds of getting more acceptances better honestly). Not quite sure where I’ll pick yet, even though I’m pretty sure, I still have many to hear back from, but now I know this year I’ll end up where I’m supposed to be, in a program I love, not one that I feel thrown/obligated to go into and unsatisfied with. Maybe an alternate BA program or the safety school route is the best choice for some, but definitely don’t rule out the gap year. I think it’s a great thing to have in regards to things other than your theatre major as well. Who knows why there’s such a stigma around it. This ended up being longer than I thought, but hopefully this can help someone out! Feel free to ask or PM me any questions you have if you’re considering a gap year!