At my school, most of the students who do a foreign exchange year go after they’ve already graduated. It is my understanding that your grades there do not count on a transcript, and it’s more about the experience.
I’ve recently developed a want to become involved in this program, and having already missed the deadline to go next year, I’d have to go the year after my senior year.
I had the opportunity to visit Mexico over spring break and realized just how beautiful the Spanish language is, and of course the beauty of the culture of those who speak it! I’ve already taken three years of Spanish, and due to the nature of the curriculum, I haven’t been able to learn much. So, that’s when I remembered the Rotary Exchange program!
Here’s my concern, though. I want to apply to upper tier colleges (Northwestern and Columbia, in particular, for journalism). Of course I’m not expecting that I’ll be accepted, but I’d like to give myself the best chance possible. I’ve heard that selective colleges aren’t too fond of gap years (rightly so), and I’m worried an exchange year after high school will be viewed the same way.
Will this hurt my chances of being accepted to selective universities?
You’ve heard wrongly. They’re fine with you deferring a year if you have a great thing ahead of you. You just need to plan to apply during your senior year like everyone else, get your admittance and then inform the school you’ll defer.
What you want to try to avoid is to graduate HS, take your gap year and then during that period, begin your college app process – after you’ve been out of HS for 8 months. Don’t do that if you can avoid it.
Get your college plans done and school locked up before you go on your deferment year.
Erin’s dad, are you sure about that? During your deferral year, most schools will require you to sign an agreement that you won’t apply to other schools since they’re holding a slot for you (and your tuition, of course). I don’t see any benefit to a school to make a student who defers re-apply (besides a service academy or a conservatory or something like that). But please correct me if I’m wrong.
It depends on the college. You need to check with each college you are looking into. Googe the college name and “gap year”, and you will probably find the info you need. But don’t think top colleges don’t allow it – schools like Harvard actually encourage it.
Cal states and UC’s do not allow you to defer except for special circumstances such as Military service and they do not hold spots, so you would have to reapply.
Selective private universities (like Harvard, Princeton…) actively encourage gap years and will hold a spot for you. Many public universities won’t, and will ask you to reapply.
Gap years however are seen quite favorably, as students, when they return, tend to be more mature and ready to work.
