Do universities look at gap years?
Asked by: Shawna McCullough | Last update: November 3, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (49 votes)
Key Takeways 🔑 Delaying your university application until after your gap year can be extremely liberating, allowing you to pursue something entirely tailored to your interests. Many universities view gap years favorably but they shouldn't be taken solely to enhance a college application.
Does a gap year look bad to colleges?
In summary, taking a gap year does not look bad to colleges if you use your time productively and effectively. On the contrary, it can be an asset to your application, as long as you're able to showcase the growth and experiences you gained during your time off.
Is it hard to go to college after a gap year?
While many people share the misconception that a gap year may deter one from returning to college entirely, more than 90% of gap year students re-enter higher education a year later. While it may seem obvious, remember that a gap year will take up a full year of your time.
Does Harvard recommend a gap year?
Perhaps the best way of all to get the full benefit of a “time-off” is to postpone entrance to college for a year. For more than four decades, Harvard has recommended this option, indeed proposing it in the letter of admission.
Do gap years look bad on your resume?
Taking a gap year typically doesn't look bad on a resume, especially if you spent that time productively, such as traveling, volunteering, or gaining work experience relevant to your career goals. Frame your gap year as a valuable opportunity for personal growth, learning, and acquiring new skills.
Should you take a gap year? | A&J Education
How big of a gap is too big on a resume?
Employment gaps of less than six months aren't likely to stand out. Six months is a fairly standard timeframe for a job search, so you may not even need to explain a shorter gap. If you only have a single gap on your resume, it's unlikely to raise red flags the same way a series of gaps might.
Are gap years a bad idea?
“The gap year can be a great time to not only find yourself and try something new, but also prepare for college,” Giunta said. “Students use the time to volunteer, work or take on an internship to figure out what they are passionate about and what they want to get out of their future careers.”
Does Yale allow gap year?
Students in Yale College may ask to take up to four terms of leaves of absence.
How many people that take a gap year actually go to college?
While parents may be concerned that a gap year may decrease their child's academic momentum, research shows that around 90% of gap year participants attend college within a year of their break.
What famous person took a gap year?
Some of the most notable celebrities who have reportedly taken a gap year (or two) include entrepreneur Elon Musk, the Duke of Cambridge Prince William, former president Barack Obama's eldest daughter Malia Obama, actor Mathew McConaughey, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, and Apple founder Steve Jobs.
Are you still a freshman if you take a gap year?
Yes, if you take a gap year immediately after high school, you can definitely apply to colleges as a freshman. During the gap year phase, you're still considered a first-year applicant because you haven't attended any institution of higher learning after completing your high school.
Are students who take gap years more successful?
The Gap Year Association reports that 88% of students who took time off report higher than average career satisfaction. There's also no correlation between taking a gap year and unemployment. In fact, gap year experiences help build a young person's resume and can even give them a leg up over peers.
Can you still get scholarships if you take a gap year?
Can you get scholarships if you take a gap year? The short answer is yes; however, this depends on various factors. Most gap year scholarships fall under two categories; needs-based and merit-based.
Is it harder to get accepted after a gap year?
Conclusion: Navigating the Gap Year Journey
If used unproductively, it can hurt chances of admission. Studies show that high school students who delay enrolling in college by a year tend to earn credentials at lower rates than those who enroll right away.
Does taking a gap year improve mental health?
Through self-reflection, experiential learning, and personal growth, young individuals can emerge from a therapeutic gap year better equipped to navigate the challenges of adulthood with improved mental health and resilience.
How to tell a college you are taking a gap year?
“They just need to notify their admissions counselor that they will be taking a GAP year and the counselor will defer their acceptance. Then they can notify the counselor via phone or e-mail when they are ready to return.
Where do most gap year students go?
Asia. Asia itself is a vast continent, but most gap year travellers tend to gravitate to South East Asia. This doesn't mean you should discount other parts of this vast continent, but SE Asia is popular with gap year backpackers due to it being: Relatively cheap.
Do colleges like when you take a gap year?
As far as what colleges think of gap years, most often, they view them positively. A well-spent gap year produces a mature, prepared student. It also shows that you are willing to take the time to improve yourself and have the determination to do so. I strongly recommend taking a gap year.
Are gap years expensive?
Cost: A gap year can be expensive, especially if it involves extensive travel or participating in specialized programs. Many programs do offer needs-based financial aid to cover all or part of the experience. Regardless, be sure to budget wisely so you have enough funds left over for your post-gap year plans.
Does taking a gap year affect GPA?
Research has shown that students who pursue a gap year or gap semester perform better academically and can maintain a higher GPA throughout the entirety of their undergraduate degree path.
Does Yale like dual enrollment?
How does Yale use AP, IB, A-Levels, and Dual Enrollment courses completed in high school? Admissions officers are familiar with various types of advanced coursework, including AP, IB, A-Levels, Dual Enrollment, and others, but have no preference for one advanced curriculum over another.
Do Ivy Leagues care if you take a gap year?
And as to students who wish to take a gap year after earning admission to their dream college by deferring their enrollment, we don't have an issue with such an interlude so long as it's not going to lead to hesitation down the line of enrolling at that school the following year.
What is the best age to take a gap year?
Gap years are generally taken by people between the ages of 18-25, and while many do return to complete the next stage of their education, the time spent travelling or working can create a new perspective or opportunities that otherwise may never have been realised while studying.
Is a gap year frowned upon?
Taking a gap year is not generally frowned upon by colleges.
Does Harvard accept gap year students?
Many universities, including Ivy League institutions like Harvard, encourage gap years and even offer deferrals to admitted students. Such policies underline the growing recognition of how these experiences contribute to a student's growth and success in college.