Expert: Susie Watts - 1/19/2010

Question
Hello, I was hoping you could give me some advice on this...
recently my parents, namely my mother, has been having more serious conversations on choosing a college and other post-graduation plans. It is more and more clear my parents don't completely agree on what I should be looking into for my life after graduation...
My father thinks I should take some time to do whatever before I go off to college, spending time as a volunteer, or backpacking or whatever. you know, discovering myself and going on adventures.
My mom on the other hand thinks I should jump right into college while the knowledge is fresh in my head, so I can get myself jump started on my education, avoid losing focus from not being in school.

so you see, my dad is afraid of forcing me into school and not presenting me with other oppourtunities, while my mom is afraid by not going to school I could lose it as an opportunity.

I know this is where you ask me "what do I want to do?", but honestly I'm not sure of that entirely yet, I'd love to take a year off,
So I guess that means I'm asking "What are the effects of taking a year off before college?"

thanks much!

Answer
As a college consultant, I can tell you that people have different opinions as to whether a gap year is good for a student or not.  Both of your parents make a point.  I help students with gap year programs to make sure that they aren't just fun experiences, but great learning opportunities also.  As a matter of fact, I am going to a gap year fair in two weeks.  If you were a junior, I would suggest that you do a good college search, apply to schools, see where you are accepted and then you could ask to be deferred for admissions until the fall of 2011 so you could take the year off.  If you are a senior, I assume you have already applied to some schools, in which case you could do the same.  There is no negative to taking off a year before you start college except you will be a little older than some of the other freshmen.  I would be happy to help you with gap year ideas or the college search, but unfortunately I must charge a fee for my services because it takes a fair amount of research.  I do have a website, http:// www.collegedirection.org that might be helpful to visit.  I wish I could help you more.