<p>I know that none of us have been accepted yet, but who's thinking of taking a year off before college? I know for a fact that Harvard advises its incoming students to take that course; the article is here: <a href="http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/applying/time_off/time_out.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/applying/time_off/time_out.html</a></p>
<p>Also, the waiting can be pretty stressful (I'm pretty stressed out myself with all this anticipation), and I just created what I think is a pretty funny ebay auction. I was inspired by the people who sold imaginary (air) guitars on ebay for decent money, just based on a funny listing. After seeing these auctions, I decided to get in on this money for nothing deal, and posted an auction for "The Emperor's New Clothes." The listing is complete with the story of their acquisition, and edited pictures of me wearing them (that was your warning; if you don't know the story of the Emperor's New Clothes, don't click on the link). The listing might not be safe for school of work, but it's still pretty funny, and should provide some comic relief for your waiting period. </p>
<p>Enjoy: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5563437509&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT%5B/url%5D">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5563437509&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT</a></p>
<p>i'm thinking of taking a year off (wherever i end up). i was planning on volunteering abroad but at this rate i don't think i'll ever come up w/ the money so i think i'll just work and volunteer as an assistant coach for my HS's debate team... or something.</p>
<p>I would love to take a year off to just relax, maybe travel, read the books i never got a chance to read, work, get better at guitar, etc, but my parents think it's a waste. I haven't showed them that Harvard article yet though. I'm waiting to pull the heavy artillery.</p>
<p>you've got balls posting that up on ebay =) hope you get in
yeah im thinking of a year off too</p>
<p>i am :)</p>
<p>going to japan as an exchange student :D</p>
<p>invictus, I appreciate your admiration. I hope you get in as well. It's pretty amusing; half of the kids who saw my auction found it hysterical, half found it utterly disturbing, and none of them can view me in the same way again. Now if only there were forums that were dedicated to rich people with money to burn on prospective college students, I might have more bids. PierreMarie, Japan sounds sweet, but is that technically a gap year, or are you just going on an exchange for your first two semesters?</p>
<p>aaron, by definition, a gap year is a year off between high school and college. im going to japan as a high school exchange student, which means that although i'll be attending school there, the grades ill be earning in japan won't be credited at home. :)</p>
<p>PierreMarie,
Are you a senior or a junior? If you're a junior, and you're taking your senior year in Japan, that's pretty damn cool. If you're a senior, and you're going to high school another year, well, call me a slacker, but why the HELL would you want to do that? I'm itching to get out of school. A fifth year of high school sounds hardcore ****ty, even if it is in Japan. You should just travel instead, or take a shot at entrepreneurship. Open a whorehouse in Tokyo. I bet the businessmen will need some relaxation at lunch, or maybe just some company in their sleeping tubes :)</p>
<p>Pierre Marie -- </p>
<p>that is such an awesome thing to do. I wanted to go to Japan through this one thing last summer, but I applied kinda late and ended up being a runner up for the scholarship.. and then i debated whether i wanted to spend money to go anyways.. and ended up being too late to change my mind and go anyways.. that sounds like fun.. i dont think my parents would let me go on that track tho (basically bummin off of them for a year.. yea.. not gonna happen)</p>