Should I take a gap year after highschool?

Need help planning and deciding whether to take a gap year before college.?

• I have been considering taking a gap year in between high school and college. I am having trouble finding information on what I would do during the gap year. When I thought about taking a gap year I was thinking only slackers take gap years. Not until recently have I found that you can volunteer and get jobs during a gap year. During my gap year I don't want to sit around and wait to go to college, I want to do something. I need pros and cons about a gap year. Also what is some information about gap years I would have to know? What do colleges look for when they see you have taken a gap year? Lastly what are some organizations and websites I can refer to for gap year information? If it helps I am interested in photography, environmental studies, and humanitarian projects.

• Answer:

  Most colleges do not want to see a gap year at all. Most high school graduates do not have enough life experience or maturity to benefit from a gap year. If you find something worthwhile to do during the gap year, it probably will be quite boring as it will be beneath your academic abilities. It is better to take a gap year between college and graduate school if you take a gap year at all. I waited until I had worked for five years after graduate school to take a gap year. I traveled around the world and appreciated the experience much more than I would have if I had done it when I was younger.