Taken A Gap Year?

Applying to College
1

<p>You know that year between high school and college some people choose to create...Well I've applied to this great program. I get to travel the world from Costa Rica to China. We'll learn first hand about anything from infrastructure to poverty to different cultures. It's the whole shebang. I won't have to pay anything, thanks to a scholarship. A little something something for gifts, but hey that's what birthday money's for...And soon graduation celebration money.
It's a fantastic program. It's something I've wanted to do since I knew I could do something like it.</p>

<p>I just got accepted to a great school. It was a long shot, I almost scoughed when I clicked "submit" on the commonapp application. But now I'm in. The fam knows about the acceptance, and that includes grandma. She was tearing when she read the letter. When I'm out foraging Sub-Saharan Africa, she'll expect me to be studying my brains out.. So now I'm having second thoughts. </p>

<p>One more thing: I will still be able to go back to the Uni next-next fall. </p>

<p>Anyone have a similar experience? Is it odd to be a year older than everyone your freshman year? Blah?</p>

2

<p>Can’t tell from your post – are you into the travel program and have the scholarship for sure? How long is the program?</p>

3

<p>What’s the name of the program?</p>

4

<p>Thinking Beyond Borders</p>

<p>Have the scholarship for sure.</p>

5

<p>I think it sounds great. You can study your brains out the next fall, assuming your acceptance remains good. I doubt that the one year age difference is a problem. However… your year spent doing this WILL change you, and likely give you a more mature view of the world (and possibly your education). You will be different from your freshman peers, but not just because you are 19. The results of that can be unpredictable. Will you be more focused and sure of your direction in college? That is a great outcome. Or… will it cause you to question whether college (this college, or any college) at that time is the best use of your time and talents when there is so much else to do in the world? That is not necessarily a bad outcome in the long run, but your grandma (and likely parents) might not see it that way. </p>

<p>If you were my kid, I would say go for it. Soon enough you are tied down with adult responsibilities, and can’t just take a year for this kind of experience.</p>

6

<p>Gap years like this are extremely common in the UK/Australia/Ireland. (though students usually get jobs to pay for them).</p>

<p>It won’t cause you any problems, so long as you don’t become a gap year bore!</p>

7

<p>Do you earn college credits for this program?</p>