Taking a year off?

<p>Im a high school graduate of 07. i defered college acceptence this fall but i want to try and go to a university next fall. any advice? will it be harder for me to do this no longer being in high school? what road blocks may i expect to come across? thanks</p>

<p>What you do during your year off will be important. If you work a job (any legitimate job), do volunteer work, take classes in a field that you can't study in college (for instance carpentry) or do structured travel (such as doing an immersion language program or traveling to a place that you've long been interested in experiences), those experiences could help you with college acceptances. Colleges will assume that you matured and learned a great deal through such experiences.</p>

<p>If, however, you spend your time being basically a couch potato or party animal, that could hurt you. </p>

<p>My S, 19, did a gap year as an Americorps volunteer, and now is a freshman in college. The liberal arts college where he is going to was very impressed by his Americorps experiences, and even gave him merit aid. The maturity that he gained from his year off also has helped him take full advantage of college such as being more focused in class, and taking advantage of guest speakers and other opportunities that he's noticed that many students don't pay that much attention to.</p>

<p>The main roadblock you'll have to deal with is having to take full responsibility for applying to college without having constant reminders from guidance counselors, teachers and friends who are going through the same experience.</p>

<p>One often overlooked concern is that a year off may effect your eligibility under your parent(s) health insurance. Most policies limit dependent children beyond high school age to coverage as "full-time" students only, and some have age limits as well.</p>

<p>Depending on your family financial position, this may or may not be a concern.</p>

<p>It is best to be mindful of the consequences however.</p>