Should I take a Gap year?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a senior this year and finished applying for early admissions. But, I'm considering taking a gap year. I know I qualify for Palmetto Fellows, which is a great sum of money that I could use for college. The problem is, if I take a gap year, I could lose the scholarship for not going directly to college. My guidance counselor told me that when I apply for it, and get it, I should accept it. He also implied that I should forget taking a gap year and go directly to college. Is taking the money and ignoring the fact that I've dreamed of a gap year since sophomore year the right thing to do? I'm only 16 and top 1% of my senior class, skipping junior year, with a low family income if that helps any. I believe a gap year would be a great opportunity for me, but everyone is discouraging it. Should I listen to them?</p>

2

<p>What does this gap year dream look like? Why do you want it? What do you hope to accomplish? </p>

<p>Google says Palmetto Fellows can be deferred a year for some things - is what you want to do on that list?</p>

3

<p>What would you do in that gap year?</p>

<p>What other college options could you have if you change your mind about the current place while you are taking that time off.</p>

<p>There are lots of threads here on gap years. Use the search function to find them, and read through them for ideas.</p>

4

<p>“Students selected as Palmetto Fellows must enter an eligible four-year institution the fall term immediately following high school graduation. Very rarely is the award deferred in limited circumstances, as defined by the Commission on Higher Education. If you believe that your situation warrants a deferment, then you should contact the Commission on Higher Education for additional information”</p>

<p>In vague terms, I want to learn Japanese in Japan and study its culture and possibly travel Asia afterward. So, a study abroad program? I’ve already done research about possible options, and I’ve looked at organizations that offer programs online (I don’t want to travel alone). I’ve been wary about looking further into potential companies since I want to know which college I’ll be accepted to first. Since I’ll be 17 once fall semester starts, I thought a gap would be a nice time to mature into an independent person by exploring the world. I also live in a small town community so I haven’t exactly seen or experienced as much as a person with an urban lifestyle. I’m not sure if my trip would fall under the circumstances to be allowed deferral, so I just assumed it wasn’t. </p>

<p>I’m staying in-state and applied to Clemson and CofC, with CofC being my first choice if I’m accepted. Since there’s not that many colleges I like here, I doubt I’d change my decision about attending CofC after the gap year.</p>

5

<p>[Palmetto</a> Fellow : Michelin Career Center : Clemson University](<a href=“http://career.clemson.edu/students/internships/palmetto.php]Palmetto”>http://career.clemson.edu/students/internships/palmetto.php)</p>

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6

<p><a href=“http://www.che.sc.gov/StudentServices/Regulations/Approved_PFS_Regulation.pdf[/url]”>http://www.che.sc.gov/StudentServices/Regulations/Approved_PFS_Regulation.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>“KK. “Transient student” is defined as a student enrolled in a non-matriculated status, which means he/she is granted temporary admission to earn credit hours that will transfer back to his/her home institution toward a degree. A transient student is not eligible to receive the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship or the Scholarship Enhancement unless the student is participating in a program that is both approved and accepted as full-time transfer credit by the home institution.”</p>

<p>Wouldn’t this be what I would be categorized as if the gap program offers full-time college credit?
To make sure I’m understanding this right: There is a chance for me to both get the scholarship and at the same time take a gap year. The catch is that I must earn at least 12 (?) college credits during the term. Basically, if I’m studying abroad in another university, those credits can be transferred to my freshman year? Not exactly my idea of a gap year, but might be worth it if I can keep the scholarship and still travel.</p>

7

<p>Pick up the phone and call them for clarification. Just reading this quickly, it looks to me like a non-credit program would be OK. Check out [AFS</a> Intercultural Programs | Connecting Lives, Sharing Cultures](<a href=“http://www.afs.org%5DAFS”>http://www.afs.org) [Youth</a> for Understanding](<a href=“http://www.yfu.org%5DYouth”>http://www.yfu.org) and Rotary exchange programs for study abroad in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.</p>

<p>But you do need to have a plan for paying for that gap year. Some study abroad programs do offer small scholarships, but not all do. You might be better off to grab the Palmetto money, and start planning now for a junior year abroad.</p>

8

<p>Ally,
I was looking at the Palmetto and it looks like you “must enroll the fall after” being notified of your award, … otherwise it appears you’ll have to re-apply. It does look like it’s a significant amount of money to pass on, so here’s a few thoughts:

  1. Find a school that accepts the Palmetto where you can also study abroad your freshman year. Palmetto can be used for study abroad. Then find a study abroad program that has more of a Gap Year feel to it but also earns credit: SIT, Carpe Diem Education, etc.
  2. Skip the Palmetto, and take a Gap Year. If you’re in the top 1% of school, and come from a lower-income background, then my bet is that you could potentially set your sights pretty high - especially with the experience of a Gap Year if translated well into new essays. In short, looking to a Tier 1, maybe Ivy League, that has more discretionary funding for full-ride scholarships and whatnot. It’s more of a gamble, but in my experience if you’re only doing something because of the money then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.
  3. Take your Gap Year and re-apply to Palmetto.</p>