Key Takeaways:
- A gap year is most valuable when it has a clear purpose and plan.
- It can support personal growth, but it will not erase your existing academic record.
- College deferral and transfer policies vary, so research each school carefully.
- Choose activities that are meaningful to you, not simply intended to impress colleges.
Should You Take a Gap Year? Exploring the Benefits and Considerations
Many students consider taking a year off between high school and college.
The reasons vary from wanting to “take a break” from homework and exams to a desire to travel, follow a passion, or simply work and save money for college expenses. More commonly, students are considering a Gap Year after not getting into colleges they are excited about or to “make themselves more competitive” for top-tier schools the following year. These are known as post-admissions gap years.
Whatever the reason, is a gap year a good idea?
Types of Gap Years: Pre-Admissions vs. Post-Admissions
First, let’s examine two different versions of a gap year:
Pre-Admissions:
A “pre-admissions” gap year is taken after the senior year of high school before you actually apply to college. Generally, you will apply sometime during the gap year.
Post-Admissions:
A “post-admission” gap year means you have already applied and been admitted to college. In order to take the gap year, you will make a deposit to the school of your choice and then defer your enrollment for a year. (Since COVID-19, some schools have changed their policies on deferral of admission, so keep that in mind and do your research.)
Some students choose to take a gap year after a disappointing or unsuccessful admissions year. Instead of deferring, they may choose to take a gap year to “strengthen their application” and re-apply the following cycle.
Considerations for Taking a Gap Year
Whether you take the gap year before or after you apply to college, here are some things you may want to consider:
Will A Pre-Admission Gap Year Bolster My Application?
If you’re hoping that a pre-admission gap year will bolster your application, keep in mind that colleges will still place primary emphasis on your high school record. Your experience should clearly bolster your academic credentials, such as doing significant research in your intended major or gaining experience by starting your own business.
Some students choose to complete a postgraduate year before applying to college. This can provide an opportunity to take challenging courses, demonstrate recent academic growth, and strengthen your preparation for college-level work. However, it will not replace earlier grades, and admissions officers will still consider your complete high school record. A postgraduate year is most valuable when it supports clear academic or personal goals, rather than serving solely as an attempt to improve your admissions prospects.
Apply To College During Your Gap Year
If you’re going to apply to college during your gap year, line up your letters of recommendation from your counselors and teachers ahead of time so they will be ready when you need them. It can be difficult to do this when you are no longer enrolled at the school and may even be a distance away, so doing it while you are still a student is an advantage. You can always supplement them with appropriate references from your gap year experience.
Do Colleges Value One Activity Over Another?
Colleges generally don’t place value on one activity over another. They DO evaluate activities differently based on commitment, impact, initiative, context, and relevance, although paid work and family responsibilities can be just as meaningful as prestigious programs.
If your gap year offers personal enrichment, whether it’s a job bagging groceries to save for college or another activity, it can be beneficial. However, activities that don’t appear to offer personal growth, such as taking time off to play video games, won’t impress admissions committees.
Taking a Year Off to Get Into a “Better” School
This approach is not recommended for several reasons. Students who apply during their senior year and then choose to take a gap year after being disappointed with their results often do not improve their admissions outcomes significantly. Unless you have a very specific plan for your gap year, it is unlikely that you will do anything with enough impact to change your admissions outcome at highly selective schools. Especially if you applied to them as a senior and were denied admission, your likelihood of success after a gap year is even lower.
What Should I Do Instead?
You are more likely to strengthen your application by accepting your offer at another school, spending a semester getting stellar grades, getting involved on campus, doing research, or anything else to build up your application. You can then try to transfer to the school you are hoping for. Many schools have less selective transfer application pools, and you will have made progress on some of your general education requirements.
Plan, Plan, Plan
Don’t take for granted that the opportunities you’re looking for will just materialize. Reach out early to any organizations you wish to volunteer for, investigate potential internships, buy tickets to your destination, etc., before you graduate and be ready to start soon after. Exploring a variety of options, such as volunteering, working, traveling, and taking classes, can help you make the most of your time off. The most successful gap-year applicants are deeply engaged throughout the year. Here are some examples of meaningful engagements that can help with professional development:
- Full-time service through AmeriCorps or a similar organization.
- Deep volunteer work (high-level advocacy or nearly full-time volunteer engagement)
- Full-time or multiple part-time jobs to save money for college and gain professional experience
- High-level research in your intended field of study
- A research or other government internship
- National sports competitions or training at a national/international level
- Starting a meaningful business
Other valid reasons for taking time away would be:
- Personal or medical reasons that require your attention
- Family tragedies that require your involvement and would take away from your first-year experience
These activities aren’t surefire ways to make you a better applicant, but if you engage in these or similar activities during your gap year, most colleges will see it as a meaningful use of your time, and you will develop personally as well.
So, Should I Take a Gap Year?
The answer is nuanced and depends on your personal reasons for taking one, as well as which schools you’d like to target after a gap year. If you’re not sure, contact us today to engage with one of our admissions strategists and make the most of your time off between high school and college.
FAQs
Not necessarily. Colleges generally want to understand why you took a gap year and how you used the time. A purposeful year spent working, volunteering, exploring an academic interest, fulfilling family responsibilities, or addressing personal circumstances can be viewed positively. However, a gap year alone will not compensate for weaknesses elsewhere in your application.
Applying during your senior year allows you to secure an offer and then request deferred enrollment, if the college permits it. Applying during your gap year may give you additional experiences to discuss, but you will need to manage recommendations, transcripts, deadlines, and application requirements after leaving high school. The better option depends on your goals and readiness to apply.
Possibly, but check each college’s policies first. Completing college coursework could affect your eligibility as a first-year applicant, and some colleges restrict the courses deferred students may take. Obtain written guidance from the admissions office before enrolling in a degree program or earning substantial college credit.
Policies vary by college. Some institutions allow admission and certain scholarships to be deferred, while others require students to reapply for financial aid or meet additional conditions. Confirm the details with both the admissions and financial aid offices before accepting a deferral.
There is no single activity that every student should pursue. Productive options include paid employment, sustained volunteer service, research, internships, travel, athletic training, independent projects, or caring for yourself or your family. Focus on activities that are realistic, meaningful, and connected to your circumstances or future goals.
Yes, provided the college permits reapplication. However, applying again without meaningful changes to your academic record, activities, or overall application is unlikely to produce a different outcome. Before reapplying, consider what genuinely new information you will be able to present.
Briefly explain why you chose to take the year and describe how you spent or plan to spend it. Focus on your responsibilities, accomplishments, growth, and preparation for college. Be honest and specific rather than trying to make every activity sound prestigious.
Originally Published: Nov. 2022. Updated by an admissions consultant and republished in Sept. 2026
Former Undergraduate Admissions Reader at Stanford University
MA in Higher Education Administration at Stanford University
Director Of Education at ICOHS College
Jessica is a graduate of Chapman University with a BA in higher education and received her MA from Stanford University in higher education administration. Her research focused on women and students of color in STEM fields. At Stanford, she contributed as an admissions reader and has volunteered to assist low-income students with their college applications.
