One of my readers asked me this recently. His specific question was whether or not it would be a good idea to take a year off to join a volunteer program in Africa before applying again at schools such as UPenn and Stanford.
My response was, “Yes, perhaps.”
Why “perhaps” and not “absolutely”?
Acceptance to an Ivy League school is dependent on a number of factors that must all be balanced, one against the other. Here are some things to think about when considering a gap year:
#1 Taking a year off is like participating in summer activities. It will only help you if you are very, very busy doing really worthwhile things the whole time.
Second: Be sure that the activity you choose fits in with your “big picture”. It must support the image you plan to present in your Common Applications. It should be connected with your stated areas of interest and/or your major course of study.
3. Because Common Applications are due near year’s end, your year off will really only be about six months.
Click here for more info on Ivy League waitlists.
4. If your entire application is strong, it will be alright to take a year off. However, if you have low SAT scores or grades, a low transcript, and few or no extracurricular activities, a gap year won’t do you any good, no matter how beneficial or note-worthy it is.
Think about these 4 factors when you are considering whether you should work for your dad’s textile sales company for a year before admissions to Ivy League schools.
After all is said and done, it may help you to take a gap year. Just be sure that you are a very strong candidate in the other areas of your application. If you are, then a gap year can make you a stronger candidate.
As far as personal development goes, a productive gap year is an excellent choice. It can give you a break from academic life while simultaneously advancing your academic career. This is an excellent choice, as long as you understand that a gap year is not necessarily a guarantee of acceptance to an Ivy League school.
You must log in to post a comment.