{"id":33116,"date":"2020-06-22T01:08:40","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T06:08:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=33116"},"modified":"2025-02-28T21:23:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T21:23:05","slug":"about-gap-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/pre-college\/about-gap-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Take a Gap Year After High School?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >FIRST, WHAT IS A GAP YEAR?<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve likely heard the term \u201cgap year\u201d before. But what many people don\u2019t understand is that a gap year shouldn\u2019t be treated as a break. Instead, a gap year is a year between high school and college in which you gain experiences that are unique to this time in your life, that will help you decide on a major and\/or career path, or that help you prepare for college financially or personally.<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/pre-college\/gap-year-programs\/\">Check out our Ultimate Guide\u00a0to different gap year programs and scholarships.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_iconlist  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >BENEFITS OF A GAP YEAR<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><a href='https:\/\/boostbykaplan.com\/' title='Get personalized college and career mentorship.'   style='background-color:#ff4658; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8dd' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/a><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  ><a href='https:\/\/boostbykaplan.com\/' title='Get personalized college and career mentorship.'>Get personalized college and career mentorship.<\/a><\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>This is a great time to learn how your strengths and weaknesses work with different majors and career paths and work on the skills necessary for the paths that interest you most.<br \/>\nMeeting with a career and\/or academic advisor, something you may not have had time or energy for during your senior year of high school, is a helpful way to spend part of your gap year. You\u2019ll emerge better prepared for the university experience.<br \/>\n<strong>[ <a href=\"https:\/\/boostbykaplan.com\/\">BOOST by KAPLAN: Take 12 Weeks to Boost Your Future<\/a> ]<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#ff4658; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8c9' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Improve your college options.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gap years are so common today that they\u2019re unsurprising to college admissions committees, and can often even work in your favor, since you\u2019ll have more experience and a greater sense of purpose when you enter college. Additionally, you\u2019ll have more time to work on your applications and hit your score goals on the <a href=\"kaptest.com\/study\/pre-college-act\">ACT<\/a> and\/or <a href=\"kaptest.com\/study\/pre-college\/\">SAT<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#ff4658; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8b1' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Take advantage of experiences that may be unavailable to you later in life.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples of experiences unique to this time in your life are living abroad and studying a foreign language or volunteering full-time with an organization that supports a cause you\u2019re passionate about. While it\u2019s possible to find time for these experiences later in life, this may be the most convenient time to take advantage of them.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#ff4658; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue83e' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >You\u2019ll have more time to prepare for college financially.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Whether you\u2019re working in a field you\u2019re considering for a future career or working a part-time job just to save for college, a gap year can give you the time you need to get your finances in order.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#ff4658; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8bb' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Get experience in fields that interest you.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you make the commitment of choosing a major, career, or graduate degree, take time during your gap year to experience the environments of different careers and educational paths that interest you. You can take community college classes that coincide with majors you\u2019re considering (and maybe even get some college credit!) or get internships or volunteer experiences in fields you want to learn more about. This could look like working as a clerk at a law office, a volunteer at an animal hospital, or a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scribeamerica.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical scribe<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/p>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_iconlist  el_before_av_heading  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >SO, SHOULD YOU TAKE A GAP YEAR AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether or not a gap year is right for you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will taking a gap year bring me closer to my goals?<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do I have a set plan for what to do during my gap year?<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If I\u2019ve already been accepted by a college, will my university allow me to defer, and if not, am I willing to apply to college again?<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you answered yes to the above questions, a gap year may be a useful way to spend the year after high school.<\/span><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_heading  avia-builder-el-last  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >HOW TO TAKE A GAP YEAR<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, make sure you have a plan. Don\u2019t lose momentum; a gap year should be a time to reflect, learn, and prepare for college. Don\u2019t use it as an excuse to take a break.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Second, if you\u2019ve already applied to and been accepted by universities when you make the decision to take a gap year, check out each school\u2019s deferment policies. It\u2019s common for universities to allow students to defer for a year without too much hassle. If your university doesn\u2019t allow you to defer, consider turning down your acceptance and re-applying to schools during your gap year. There\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll have more options once you have more experience under your belt.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Third, if you\u2019ve already been offered financial aid through the schools to which you\u2019ve applied, check in with the financial aid offices to see if your aid can be deferred along with your admission. Unfortunately, you can\u2019t defer your federal student loans. If you submit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/pre-college\/college-admissions-the-complete-guide-to-fafsa-and-financial-aid\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAFSA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before you decide to take a gap year, you\u2019ll need to re-submit the following year. Keep in mind that if you work and save money for college during your gap year, the amount of financial aid you\u2019re awarded may change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve likely heard the term \u201cgap year\u201d before. But what many people don\u2019t understand is that a gap year shouldn\u2019t be treated as a break. Instead, a gap year is a year between high school and college in which you gain experiences that are unique to this time in your life, that will help you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33130,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[129],"tags":[127,211,147,208],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33116"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33116"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47923,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33116\/revisions\/47923"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}