<p>I don't plan on doing it, ever...but isn't a gap year risky, and how does one go about this?</p>
<p>Risky? You can do it as I am, apply to colleges, accept and defer, or you can apply during the gap year. Both Harvard and Princeton, among other schools, actively encourage gap years. They are gaining in popularity among those who had intense high school experiences in the US and have long been popular in Europe.</p>
<p>so is it like failing, and you stay in high school (senior)?</p>
<p>Not at all. You leave high school and hopefully do something fun and worthwhileI'm studying language and volunteering in Asia, I'm teaching English for 2 months in South America and then having some fun in Europe while doing volunteer work.</p>
<p>my friend is doind something similar. he is going to boarding school as a PG. I dont know what PG stands for but basically it's an extra yr of high school- like a 13th yr. then he will apply for colleges after then. pretty cool.</p>
<p>PG=post graduate. Different from a gap year, it's a great way to strengthen your record before applying to college and have a fun year at a good prep.</p>
<p>I don't know...it sounds very risky, still.</p>
<p>NO one I have known personally has ever done it, unless it's for remediation.</p>
<p>I don't understand where the risk is, but sounds like a gap year isn't the right thing for you. I have to say that for those of you that are comfortable, go for it! Top schools encourage gap years so that the kids who have had their nose to the grindstone for 4 years have a chance to get refreshed before diving into college. You also get the chance to expand your horizons and do things you may not get a chance to later. There are so many interesting opportunities, I had such a hard time deciding what to do for my year. And I go with no worries, my seat is waiting at my college of choice. And even if it wasn't, I think I would have been an even stronger candidate applying now with my gap year plan to include.</p>