<p>I'm contemplating taking a year off in between applying to a university for various reasons and I'd like to know what you parents think and if you could shed some light in case your children or someone you know did something similar or simply took a year off. I'm a transfer applicant but I'd like to hear any insight, transfer or not.</p>
<p>The reasons are as follow:</p>
<p>1.) It would allow me to work a year both secularly and in proselytizing abroad in 3rd world countries, most likely the Dominican Republic where I could teach English part-time </p>
<p>2.) It would pad my GPA because I'd have the extra semester</p>
<p>3.) It would allow more time to prepare for the SAT's most likely assuring a higher score</p>
<p>4.) It would probably allow some sort of recuperation from academics and allow for more time to genuinely consider my personal statement into making it something wonderful.</p>
<p>Could you guys shed any light on this?</p>
<p>(And also as a perhaps crapshoot Harvard will once again accept transfer applicants for the following academic year. Please note that isn't the main reason, just an incentive so-to-speak.)</p>
<p>While waiting for direct responses to your question, you might also want to run a search of CC, Parents Forum. Use the phrase "gap year" and the search button, top center of this page. </p>
<p>In general, a topic of discussion to explore in your mind is whether to apply as a h.s. senior, get accepted and then do what's called "deferred admission" for a year. The other approach is to compose an application while you're on the gap year, which has some technical difficulties if you're working in a 3rd wordl country, but lets you write an amazing essay about what you are doing. As well, it has other advantages you point out, such as study time to take SAT's, improve GPA, etc.</p>
<p>No point writing about a "planned" gap year as a h.s. senior; sounds like you're just dreaming.. </p>
<p>Maybe you can line up everything except the actual essay before you go, and have someone here coordinate getting all the local paperwork sent into colleges while you're away. I think you'd really need a parent or close relative to do the administrivia from here if you are overseas and not in school when you are trying to meet application deadlines.</p>
<p>first -- if you are talking about applying and then taking a gap year, make sure the school allows deferred admissions for transfer applicants. I don't think many do.</p>
<p>second -- I don't know if colleges will allow or even take a look at SAT test scores taken after you have attended college. At that point, teacher recs and GPA are the main factors they are looking at -- with high school stats coming in second.</p>
<p>third -- keep in mind the practicalities. How are you going to pay for the gap year? how will you get health insurance (most parent's policies won't pay if you aren't a full-time student). how will a year abroad working affect your EFC and is money an issue for you? How will you get teacher recs if you are applying during a gap year abroad?</p>
<p>finally -- keep in mind that top schools, like Harvard, are even harder to get into as a transfer than as a freshman. If you had your sights set on an ivy and didn't get in when you originally applied, consider applying for graduate school instead of trying to transfer.</p>
<p>There are tons of threads on gap years -- do a search as paying3tuitions suggested for more info.</p>
<p>Thanks, I had done a search before but thought the situation was a little different here than what had been the general gap year talked about.</p>
<p>The cost isn't a problem and the money really isn't for the money, it's to do a good deed and do something productive beside the proselytizing.</p>
<p>I'll reread the threads and check with adcoms.</p>
<p>(And I didn't apply as a senior, my situation is a little differ [I graduated HS in two years with an exam we have here in California and then went off to a JC for familial reasons which all of this I think will make a compelling PS).</p>
<p>I'm generally skeptical of taking a gap year for strategic reasons relating to college admissions.</p>
<p>A year of your life is a long time to invest in padding GPA, raising the SAT and trying to improve a college essay.</p>
<p>I think a gap year should stand on its own. If reason 1) is sufficient for you, wonderful! But if reason 1) doesn't justify an entire year of your life, then I'm skeptical that reasons 2), 3), and/or 4) will make the year worthwhile.</p>