<p>so i didn't really think a gap year was right for me, and i'm still leaning towards not taking one...but lately i've been thinking, am i ever going to get a break from the stress? i've been planning on just taking a year or two between college and grad school, but honestly i'm not sure anymore if i want to wait that long (and i know that taking a gap year would include working, but i don't think it would be as stressful, at least not in the same way). the main thing keeping me from really considering a gap year is feeling like it will put me behind. i'm already old for my grade (born in september) and i just don't want to be late in getting my education, and though i know it's only a year, i feel like it would make a big difference, at least to me. what do you guys think about gap years? are any of you thinking about them or planning them? what do you see as the pros and cons?
thanks for sharing your opinions! :)</p>
<p>TheYankInLondon and Wartsandall are on a gap year and about to be taking one respectively, so they would probably be able to provide some good advice if you sent them a PM</p>
<p>I am also taking a gap year and I highly recommend it. One bonus will be that it will probably improve your applications, but don’t count on it…</p>
<p>I am feeling the exact same way about the age thing! I am going to turn 19 the month after I graduate and keep feeling that taking a gap will make me WAY to old as a frosh. That said, I feel like taking a gap could completely energize me for the untold amount of years of school to come.</p>
<p>i’m thinking about taking one but only if i get a study abroad scholarship that would provide me a chance to learn a language – improving my chances of working for the state department</p>
<p>^that’s a really good point! i want to work in the us government or abroad too, so going abroad is definitely something to think about. maybe i’ll see if i find an international program that i like, and if i don’t find anything that i love, i’ll just go straight to college, do a semester abroad, then take my gap year before grad school.</p>
<p>thanks for your responses everyone!! :)</p>
<p>I’m doing it next year! </p>
<p>Everything I’ve read makes it seem like a good idea. Even if you’re old for your grade, taking a year to play grown-up or travel will make you more mature when you start. There are a million different things you can do, and grants you can apply for if you want to travel. I know quite a few people who have done it and they say it was invaluable. You’ll feel better starting school.</p>
<p>The only con I’ve encountered is that sometimes, parents think that if you leave school for a year, you might never go back. My parents are kind of opposed to it but I’m doing it anyway. Also, some schools won’t hold merit scholarships if you defer a year, so you have to work that stuff out.</p>
<p>i’m thinking of either taking one or SYA. Probably in German, Austria, or Switzerland, as I’ve once I am eligible, I will be nearly fluent and perfect my German or learn SchweizerDetusch! Or maybe a year in another country if I take up a new language. Hmph. I do think language is the why to go smwhtslghtlydzed. it will set you ahead of so many people.</p>
<p>ok, thanks for the advice!! does anyone have any suggestions of where to look for these kinds of things?</p>
<p>If you want to study abroad then you should look into NSLI, YES, and the CBYX scholarship. They’re all funded by the US state dept. & if accepted you pretty much study abroad for free. NSLI is for language study in Hindi, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, & Russian for summer, semester and year programs. & I’m super tired so I’m not going explain the other two, but here’s the links.</p>
<p>[Congress-Bundestag</a> Youth Exchange](<a href=“http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/]Congress-Bundestag”>http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/)
[Live</a> & Work in Germany | Fellowships Abroad Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals Program | CDS International](<a href=“http://www.cdsintl.org/fellowshipsabroad/cbyx.php/]Live”>http://www.cdsintl.org/fellowshipsabroad/cbyx.php/)
[YES</a> Abroad for Americans - Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES)](<a href=“http://www.yesprograms.org/yesabroad]YES”>http://www.yesprograms.org/yesabroad)
[NSLI</a> for Youth](<a href=“http://www.nsliforyouth.org/nslicms-1.1/]NSLI”>http://www.nsliforyouth.org/nslicms-1.1/)</p>
<p>I have friends who went abroad with NSLI & I actually applied for YES & CBYX so definitely look into those if you don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars to study abroad.</p>
<p>wow, thank you!! i really want to learn arabic and i’m also interested in persian and turkish, so NSLI sounds perfect! and i’ll definitely look into the other ones too- these sound like great opportunities- thanks so much for the suggestions! :)</p>
<p>I’ve heard good things about the Bundestag program. Nysli sounds fun too.</p>