Pros and Cons of Waiting Before College

 

Step 1: Graduate from high school.

 

Step 2: Go to college.

 

 

     College has become the ultimate goal in a high school students life. "We must get into college!" This statment is set in ones brain, not wavering.

 

However, students tend to look over the other options such as taking a 5th year of high school (super senior) or taking a gap year. Breaking from this routine can open a student's eyes to the opportunity of a lifetime

     

 

     

 

 

 

 

[Would you really want to stay here an extra year?]

 

      Commonly called being a 'super senior,' taking a fifth year of high school is an excellent way to take advantage of free public education. Although it has a negative connotation within high schools, taking a fifth year of high school can actually be quite a useful experience.

 

 

 

Reasons for taking a fifth year:

• More high school credits - take advantage of free public education and take classes in areas of interest.
• Relaxed schedule - a spread-out load in school provides more time to engage in outside activities.
• Resume Expansion- (more volunteer work and achievements)
• Low Grades - bring up GPA or retake failed class
• Extra time- extracurricular activities
• Time to mature- better prepared for college 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Take advantage of a year to travel!]

 

 

      If staying in school isn't an appealing idea, the other option is to graduate normally and apply to college a year later. Called a 'gap year,' taking a year off from school can provide many unique opportunities to enrich your life and resume. 

 

 

 

Reasons for taking a gap year:

 

•  Real-world experience - living like an adult will foster appreciation for the benefits of gaining a higher education.

•  Missions - for the religious, a year off is the perfect time to fulfill a faith requirement.

•  New opportunities - take advantage of chances that aren't available after college.

•  Resume expansion - the year off is a perfect time to add to your resume.

•  Volunteer time - take a year off to help in your community.

•  Work - save money for college by working for a year.

•  Internships- to further knowledge in a certain field 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a summary:

 

Fifth-Year

Gap Year

 

Pros:	Cons:	Pros:	Cons:
More free education	Still in high school	Real-world experience	May have to live on own dime
Maturation	Friends leave for college	Resume additions	Friends leave for college
Relaxed schedule	Still living with parents	New Opportunities	Forgetting  subject material
Improved grades    Better understanding of future	Won't graduate with class (and won't know anyone at reunions)	Can save money for college    Better understanding of future
Time for extracurricular activities	Doesn't look good to colleges

 

 

 

 

     Of course, though a few students decide not to take the typical course of action, the vast majority of students do follow this structure of education. And - like the other options of delaying college - this typical structure also has it's pros and cons:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Conventionality isn't always bad]

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for going straight to

College

 

 

 

•  Graduating with one's class

•  Good use of time- it is impossible to waste a year

•  Head start with education- get more years of education; can help for those going to law school or medical school

 

 

 

 

 

Straight to College

 

 

Pros:	Cons:
Graduate with class	Miss out on some experimental opportunities
Maximize years of education	Necessary requirements (ex: money)
Don't waste time	May not stand out on application

 

 

 

From a College's Perspective: 

 

 

 

When considering whether or not to take a gap or fifth year between high school and college, it is important to ask how it will impact a college's view of the applicant. Will a gap year help you get into college?

 

 

As with any question about college admissions, there is no black and white answer.  

 

However, it is reasonable to say that when competing against thousands of other qualified applicants, it doesn't hurt to stand out. While taking a gap year does not make an applicant less attractive to colleges - in fact, many admissions counselors admit that a year off gives students the time they need to mature - be aware that colleges will pay close attention to what is accomplished during that time off.

 

If a student chooses to stay in school for a fifth year, the colleges will want to know why they chose to do so (low grades vs. continued studies, for instance) and what they accomplished during that time (a drop in grades that fifth year is not appealing). If a student takes a gap year, they will be under even closer scrutiny. Did they spend all year playing video games and getting drunk, or did they take advantage of the unique opportunities the year off allowed them? You might want to add a letter explaining your activities during the year in your college application.

 

 

A student's choices will affect a college's attraction to a student more than the year itself will.  As fun as taking a year off without responsibilities or a job may sound, it will incredibly decrease the chances of getting into college. So consider missing a few episodes of South Park and get a job, if nothing else.

 

 

 

 

So upon what should you base your decision? Which is the better choice? 

Let people who have experience share their thoughts.

 

 

A teacher's opinion:   

   

 

 

A parent's opinion:   

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

The page courtesy of a collaborative effort.

 

 

Stone Jiang -- Web Master

 

 

Andrew Lea -- Interviewer

 

 

Rachel Garner -- Interviewer

 

 

Kelsey Cook -- End-Tying Master

 

 

 

2010 Editors: 

 

Sydney Bader

 

Veronica Bradley

 

Kayla Hatchell

 

Erin Hegarty

 

CRICKET LOUIE AND VEDA VARADA 

 

 

 

 

 

 Works Cited 

 

Bruckner, Cindy. "Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year" Interview, 7 June 2009.

 

Stairet, Linda. "Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year" Interview. 6 June 2009.

 

 

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