<p>I'm starting to seriously consider a gap year, especially after Matt's recent blog post (MIT</a> Admissions | Blog Entry: "On taking a 'Gap Year'"). I'd like to experiment with writing a novel and maybe get a few short stories published, to see if I want to pursue some sort of writing career. I'd also like to spend some more time with my family and keep from being burned out by the time I start MIT. However, I'm not sure how I feel about slowing down or being the oldest in the class, since I'm used to the opposite (I've always been the youngest in my classes and I usually overwhelm myself with schoolwork). I'm also afraid of having trouble adjusting to rigid schedules again after the break. Any thoughts? Anyone here who took a gap year or is considering one? Thanks in advance. =)</p>