I’m currently studying in the UK in what would be 11th grade in the US. I’m thinking of taking a gap year if I don’t get into any good universities or have enough money to apply for next year. How do American colleges view taking a gap year? I would be working and studying.
Also, if I do take one, do I still apply this year and ask to defer my place, or apply before the gap year is over?
Thanks for any help!
Gap year used to be more unusual but now is more common. It will be fine to take one year. For public universities you usually are not allowed to defer. But for privates often you can. I think you should be able to check on the admission websites.
see this article and you can search others
http://business.time.com/2012/10/05/gap-year-the-growing-appeal-of-not-going-right-to-college/
I think it really depends on what the nature of the gap year is. If you’re taking the year off to go sit by the pool at your parents house or something like that…then it’s not going to look good. If you’re taking a year off to do something meaningful and productive, it won’t be seen as so bad. In some cases it can even be seen as a good thing.