Thankfully, it’s a pretty similar process to going straight from high school.
What Is a Gap Year?
A gap year entails intentionally pausing your academic studies for a set period of time during which you pursue interests and develop skills.
Common times to take a gap year are between:
- High school and college
- College and graduate school
- College and full-time employment
Gap years can be used to save money for college, focus on mental health, and gain life experience before entering a new chapter.
Can You Apply to College After a Gap Year?
Yes! You can apply to college after a gap year.
Plenty of students earn a degree later in life, so submitting your application 12 months later than initially planned won’t be held against you. In fact, admissions officers view students who take a gap year favorably, especially when they use that time productively.
How to Apply to College After a Gap Year
You will apply to college after a gap year as a freshman/first-year applicant which involves:
- Researching programs and colleges
- Gathering required documents
- Collecting letters of recommendations
- Writing personal essays
- Submitting test scores
- Applying for financial aid
If you prefer, you could apply during your senior year of high school and defer admission, which, if approved, allows you to delay your start date by a semester or by a year.
Alternatively, you could register for online college courses during your gap year or to make the transition back into academia less overwhelming.
Accredited institutions, such as Portage Learning, offer individual courses and a full-year option that you can begin any time and take from anywhere for under $5,000.
