Took a gap year: disadvantage?

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I am taking a gap year (year off after high school.) Although not that common in US, it is common in NZ, UK, and Australia. I have read somewhere that some universities don't mind students taking a year off to not be a couch potato but to really gain a worldly perspective and discover what they want to do.</p>

<p>I took a gap year for two reasons: I skipped two grades, so I was 16 when I graduated. I had a fairly good idea about my intended major, but I wasn't decided on where to go for tertiary education. So I decided to take a gap year to consider different choices.</p>

<p>I also took it to travel and take a summer school at Harvard. I went to China for an international science competition, then travelled afterwards. Harvard Summer School was really an epiphany: i found the urge to try out for US colleges.</p>

<p>So what do you guys think? Will this gap year disadvantage me? </p>

<p>Thanks for your time,</p>

<p>Victor</p>

2

<p>No.</p>

<p>It may even be an advantage in that it could provide useful fodder for all the essays necessary for applications to more selective schools.</p>

3

<p>What about two GAP years if they have still been spent constructively?</p>