How to fill a gap year

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hey there,
making it short: I'm a German student and I've only recently decided to go abroad (to the States) and give Harvard an honest try after school, leading to a gap year in which I can apply and brush up my CV / ECs to be able to keep up with fellow Harvard applicants. What can I do without rendering myself unable to keep pace? </p>

<p>This is not meant to be a stupid "OMAGAD HARVARD'S MAH UNIVERSITY OF DREAMS, WHAT CAN I DO TO PLEASE ADMISSION OFFICERS MOST?"-like question, but I want to make sure that I can both benefit from what I do and at the same time "not-waste" my time in Harvard's point of view - in comparison to other students. To put it simply: I'm looking for worthwhile activities.</p>

<p>I'm aware of the following possibilites:
1. Going abroad into involving social commitment over a shorter period; roughly 2 up to 6 months. To me, this option seems most appealing but yet is flawed - I am not full-aged until the 22nd of december, so I won't be able to go abroad until then. As a result, I'd have to sit around 6 months doing nothing.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Not going abroad + social commitment. Flawed because it's too time-consuming considering the fact that it's not a foreign country experience. I mean: 39 hours per week are a bit too much, specificially because other ECs would suffer greatly.</p></li>
<li><p>Working non-scientifically earning money. I currently have a job, but wouldn't this be deemed too greedy/egoistic? And rather be associated with a "Nah, can't be bothered to do <strong><em>. All that counts is my money, *</em></strong>*!"-attitude? </p></li>
<li><p>Learning new languages. Something I plan to do in awhile, but is it worth it - I mean, it's not more than a year and this would exclude the hardcore-social commitments with 39 hours per week?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I'd like to find a mediocre thing in terms of time-wise stress. Not anything too time-consuming, if it's not the real deal (going abroad...).</p>

<p>I'd be grateful for YOUR suggestions...Sorry, but couldn't make this any shorter :).</p>

2

<p>The gap year is a chance to stretch and have an opportunity to unwind. However, there is, as the English put it between a “regular gap year” and a “tactical gap year” whereas in the former, a place has already been secured and in the second, the gap year is used to enhance one’s chances. If it is the later for you, have someone determine where your credentials need burnishing and use the time to do that. It doesn’t have to involve foreign travel. Many students applying to top American universities do what is called a Post Graduate year (PG) at a elite prep school such Deerfield or Andover and the like. However, those slots, which usually go for athletes, are probably already filled. I might, i were you and you had the financial where with all to take a PG, call around and see if any of these schools has, by chance an opening. I would doubt that there would be any financial aid, especially at this point in the admissions year so one would have to pay full fees which in the US can be quite steep at a prep school. Still it is the tried and true route for a tactical gap year.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>