I’m currently a senior in high school, and I was considering applying to Harvard and other Ivy League schools to attend in the fall 2018 semester. Unfortunately, my test scores aren’t good, which is due to my mental health issues.
Now I am considering taking a gap year. Before you ask, my plan is not to travel or to “find myself” or something cliché. I have a plan to get better help for my mental illness, do an internship and/or get a job, and to work on the bookI’m writing. Then I will apply to Harvard to (hopefully) attend the fall 2019 semester.
My question is: will taking a gap year after high school help or hurt my chances of acceptance at Harvard?
Thank you for your input.
It likely won’t make a difference. If I were you, I’d make a plan that falls within the grades and scores that you have and apply for next fall to schools appropriate for your stats. Don’t hang your hat on getting into Ivies and delay getting started on college for a year. You are very likely to end up at one of the same colleges you would get into if you apply for fall 2018.
If you need to take a gap year to stabilize your mental health, by all means do that. But you are better off applying to some colleges now, then deferring start for a year (many colleges will allow that). Honestly, Ivies are pressure cookers, and not a great environment for students who have had previous mental health issues.
Many students with mental health issues attend Harvard and other rigorous schools. I disagree with any blanket statement that students with mental health issues should avoid them due to pressure.
If you have a mental health disorder, it is important that you realize you have equal access to colleges, and through the Disabilities Office, are entitled to accommodations that help you succeed. Believe me, Harvard has many students with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and other challenges. I have read that 50% of students there consult counseling at some point in their time there.
That said, why Harvard and Ivies ? Have you educated yourself on the many great schools out there? Remember it is not about getting in, it is about thriving while there.
If your scores are disappointing, you might want to look at this list of colleges that either don’t require or deemphasize scores in their admissions. http://fairtest.org/university/optional Please note there are many top schools on this list. Under B’s alone you will find Bates, Bowdoin, Brandeis, Bennington, Bryn Mawr and others. Also check out the website for Colleges that Change Lives.
A gap year is fine. In fact, there has been an essay on the Harvard admissions site (don’t know if it is still there) in favor of time off. Stabilizing your mental health is a good idea before embarking on a college career, including both therapy and meds if needed. Internships, volunteering or working can clarify things. There are many good reasons for a gap year, but disappointing scores is not one of them, nor is the idea that you might be better able to gain admission at Harvard et al.
ps If you truly think that your mental health is impacting scores, and want to apply to a school that requires great scores, consider getting accommodations for the SAT or ACT tests.
Some absolutely terrific schools are scores-optional. If you secure admission to one you like, then defer enrollment, you may have a happier gap year! I can’t imagine working on mental health issues while simultaneously cramming in SAT prep and Ivy League applications - which, frankly, is akin to playing the lottery.
If you have Ivy-quality credentials other than standardized test scores, many colleges will be eager to have you!
Thank you for your response, I find it to be helpful and insightful. I agree with your statement that no one with a mental illness can attend a prestigious school. Blanket statements ignore how individual mental illnesses can be. In my opinion, everyone is different. I know personally that I could handle it; just perhaps not fresh out of high school. For that matter, I’m not sure that going to any college right out of high school is a good idea for me personally.
In regards to my ACT score, I actually have a 33. But because I’m an overachiever, I think it could be a little higher. Of course, taking the test again during my potential gap year is merely a bonus. The sole purpose of the gap year would be to stabilize my mental health. A bonus would be doing some volunteering or getting a job; not necessarily to put on my college applications, but just because I’m passionate about the field I want to go into.
Harvard, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins are all dream schools to me. I understand that they are more expensive than most other universities and that I could get a great education elsewhere. It might even be a gamble getting into any of these schools because of how low the acceptance rates are.
Some other schools I’m highly interested in are Case Western Reserve University, University of Virginia, Ohio State University, and the University of Michigan. Frankly, I’ll be grateful if I end up at any of these colleges and in the big picture of life, it probably won’t matter to me where I go. I’ll be grateful to get my degree and to eventually start my career. That’s what matters.
Judging by the information I’ve gathered over the past few days, it seems like a gap year could be beneficial to me. I think I’m going to continue with my applications, but I might defer if I get accepted. I’ll have to think about it for a few days, so we’ll see!
Thanks again for your response!
I think it’s great that you are applying and covering all options. You may actually want to go by the fall. Your ACT is great. Up to you but stressing about scores doesn’t seem that worthwhile right now for you. YOu don’t need test-optional schools and any merit aid would require scores so you’re good.
A gap year can be great and it can also get you off track. It is hard to say. If you feel burned out or feel a need to distress while you recover, it sounds like a great idea. I know one young person who did NOLS, a wilderness program, that was helpful. It sounds like you already have ideas on what you might like to do, so that’s great.
The selective schools like Ivies have great financial aid for incomes up to $150k or even higher, so maybe you would qualify for some aid.
I admire you for getting things together and making your health a priority, but even without the health challenge you could benefit from a gap year. (One of my kids took a medical leave for a chronic medical condition and did an internship once relatively well and it was a great experience.)
I took a gap year in 1969. It wasn’t called that then. I guess I was a trailblazer 
Anyway I worked in Appalachia with a nursing service. Going to college didn’t feel the same and I never did go in a traditional way. So I tend to be biased against but so many people do gap years these days, and the stress level for young people is so high, that stepping out makes a lot of sense, particularly for treatment and healing.
Good luck!
There is no health without mental health. Take care of yourself first. Everything else will fall into place once you get proper care.
College will always be there.
But please consider the fact that you have 9 months before college starts in which to stabilize your health, so it might be wise to apply and then decide in late April.