Should you take a gap year or should you not? Searches for “gap year” in the US increased by 50% between February 2025 and April 2025, indicating a sharp seasonal or post-pandemic rise in interest (Google Keyword Planner). Not everyone calls it a gap year, though. Some call this period a transition year or pre-college sabbatical. → What Is a Gap Year? How It Works and Why It Matters Taking a gap year after high school helps shape your academic journey, personal development, and future career goals. Download The Gap Year Planning Kit
Gap Year Programs can last a few months or an entire year, this break allows high school graduates to gain life experience, develop leadership skills, and engage in continuous learning before beginning college life. But is it the right path for you? “I think in the high pressured world of kids worrying about college, from middle school on, to take a gap semester is truly the way to go! I am now a firm believer that every young person should do this before college! I know it’s a trip they’ll remember for the rest of their lives! “ – Tom and Cathy Kane, Rustic Pathways Gap Year Parents Below, we’ll walk through the benefits, common concerns, and planning steps to help you decide.
Why a Gap Year Improves College Outcomes Before diving into the benefits: are you already leaning toward taking a gap year? We’ve created a free quiz and planning guide to help you get started: Take the Gap Year Readiness Quiz Let’s explore how a gap year can help you grow personally, academically, and professionally. Academic and Career Alignment Gap years give students time to reflect on what they want before starting their next chapter in life. There are admitted students who defer their start date and return to college more focused, with improved academic performance. Improved Readiness: Students report entering college with more maturity and clear career goals. Stronger Professional Skills: Internships, service work, and independent learning builds initiative, critical thinking, and self-awareness.
One of my closest friends knew from the moment I met him in 10th grade that he wanted to study medicine in university. His biggest concern: stay and study in Guatemala or study in the United States. He had been accepted to his top choices for both countries but couldn’t decide. He took a gap semester to think about what he wanted and what would be best for his future. In the end, he chose Guatemala. I met up with him 2 years ago when I visited Guatemala and asked him if he was happy with the choice he made: “I love it here,” he told me. Life Skills & Self-Discovery Benefits of Gap Year A gap year can be an important stage for self-discovery; if you’re taking a gap year to gain life skills or simply to expand your view of the world, you’ll experience meaningful self-growth by the end. Life Skills: Living independently teaches budgeting, time management, and resilience. Expanded Perspectives: Exposure to new cultures, languages, and experiences leads to deeper self-awareness and confidence. Mental Health: A gap year for mental health gives students space to reflect and manage academic pressure. Students report higher satisfaction in their first year of college and are more likely to stick with their major. Only 2% of gap year alumni said their experience did not help them develop as a person (Hoe). Gap year alumni reported positive outcomes, including: How a Gap Year Helps Personal Development Allowed me time for personal reflection 98% Helped me develop as a person 98% Increased my maturity 97% Increased my self-confidence 96% Helped me learn to interact with people from different backgrounds 94% Helped me develop communication skills 93% Increased my interest in people and places around the world 93% Developed understanding/respect for cultures 90% Source: Gap Year Association 2015 NAS Survey Do Gap Years Hurt Your Chances? What to Know
“Will I Fall Behind Academically?” Most colleges in the U.S. allow students to defer enrollment for a structured gap year. Don’t worry, gap years do not affect college admissions. In fact, schools like Harvard and Princeton encourage it. “Can I Afford It?” Cost is a major consideration. However, there are multiple strategies to learn how to budget effectively or afford taking a gap year! Structured programs can be expensive, but options exist: Work-study or paid internships AmeriCorps and service programs offering education awards Budget travel or volunteer abroad gap year programs that provide housing and meals “Will I Lose Focus?” Structured gap years that include mentorship and clear goals have been shown to increase engagement and preparation levels. Something to keep in mind: 87% of gap year alumni said they faced significant obstacles in taking their gap year (Gap Year Association 10).
Step-by-Step: How to Plan a Gap Year After High School That Works A large study of over 442,000 U.S. college students found that unplanned or poorly managed breaks in college can have serious drawbacks. Fewer than 12 percent of students who took an unplanned gap during college returned to finish their degree, and these students often reported lower satisfaction and lower grades (Routon and Walker 383-385). However, these outcomes are linked to breaks that lack purpose or planning. Successful student gap year planning starts with setting clear goals. By carefully preparing for a gap year with clear goals and structure, you can avoid these risks, optimize your experience, and reduce common planning challenges. This experiential learning break will add value to your college experience (by doing an internship, for example). Here’s how to plan your gap year properly:
1. Define Your Purpose Are you seeking personal growth? Real-world experience? Clarity about your major? Identify your goal first. 2. Choose the Right Format Familiarize yourself. There are different types of gap year programs you could go on. Common gap year experiences include: Volunteer Abroad (e.g., South Africa, San Francisco) Internships or Apprenticeships Language Courses or Creative Workshops Mentor-Guided Travel Programs Program Type Cost to Participate Structure Key Benefits AmeriCorps Free, with stipend + education award Highly structured Earn up to $6,000 in education awards; national service experience WWOOF Usually free (you work in exchange) Semi-structured (farm-specific) Budget-friendly travel; cultural immersion and life skills Paid Internships May pay stipends or wages Structured (company-led) Career experience; builds resume and professional network 3. Involve Supporters Discuss your plans with parents, teachers, or a counselor. Share how this time off will support your future goals. 4. Plan Logistics Early Use a gap year planning checklist to: Apply for programs, visas, or submit your college deferral letter Budget for living expenses and travel Secure insurance and safety plans Pro Tip: Don’t forget to review your college’s deferral policy and deadlines.
Ready to Explore Programs? You’ve made up your mind. You’ve decided a gap year before college is right for you. Now, you can check out our curated comparison of vetted programs by focus, budget, and location: Best Gap Year Programs in the U.S. (2025 Reviews & Costs) How to Volunteer Abroad on Your Gap Year: A Complete Starter Guide How to Afford a Gap Year Without Breaking the Bank How to Fund Your Gap Year Stress-Free Family financial situations and educational background can play a role in determining if a student takes a gap year or not. A participant of a study discussed how, while some of their friends chose to take a gap year between their undergraduate degrees and graduate school, they felt they could not do the same because of the pandemic and their mentality as first-generation college students. They shared that they felt they had to follow a rigid path forward that was different from their friends because they did not have the same resources that would allow them to take a break (Vaughn et al. 72). However, gap years don’t have to be expensive. Consider: Scholarships for high school students AmeriCorps Education Award (up to $6,000) Work-trade exchanges (like WWOOF) Free housing through volunteer-hosting programs
Gap Year Citations & Research Sources Clagett, Craig. The Gap Year Advantage: A Survey of Evidence. American Gap Association, 2013. Gap Year Association. Gap Year Alumni 2020 National Survey Report. Gap Year Association, 2021, p. 10. Google Keyword Planner. “gap year.” Accessed 21 May 2025. Hoe, Nina, et al. 2015 National Alumni Survey. Gap Year Association and Temple University, 2015. @novels.novel. “Love a gap year over here ⚖️♥️.” TikTok, 29 Oct. 2024. View Video Routon, P. Wesley, and Jay K. Walker. “College Internships, Tenure Gaps, and Student Outcomes: A Multiple-Treatment Matching Approach.” Education Economics, vol. 27, no. 4, 2019, pp. 383–400. View DOI Vaughn, Laura, Cameron C. Beatty, and Emily Ostermeyer. “Leadership Learning During a Pandemic: Reflections in a Time of Crisis.” Journal of Leadership Education, vol. 23, no. 1, 2024, pp. 66–77. View DOI