The Gap Year Is Becoming A Trend For College Students
At Harvard about 20 percent take a gap year.
News 4 Jax reports.
Gap years on rise for incoming college students
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Taking a “gap year,” as President Barack Obama’s eldest daughter, Malia, intends to do, is becoming a trend among local students.
A gap year is when a student takes a year off before attending undergraduate or graduate school to explore different interests or study abroad.
The White House announced that Malia Obama will attend Harvard after her gap year.
Counselors at Jacksonville University said a gap year is not for everyone, but if it’s done right, it won’t hurt but only help a student’s college experience.
“They have higher GPAs, they’re more involved with campus involvement when they come back, and they’re more mature and have more of a self-confidence and self-awareness,” JU admissions director Allana Forte said of gap year students.
Comments
Why not…18 is the new 16 these days in the current era of babying and delaying maturation.
In truth, though, helicopter parents are putting way too much pressure on their high school kids. Their same ilk have put too much pressure for over a decade on the educational system and forced in relaxed standards. Now, the students have little margin for error as grades are almost always inflated, and both colleges and employers know this, which leads to little tolerance for mistakes.
I think the psychology of the young mind is in dire straits. About 60% of those I see year to year, look both hapless and helpless multiple times a year. They are ill-prepared and actually think their lower standard classes are challenging…mostly because they’ve never been challenged with anything greater.
I absolutely believe in a gap year. Have the grad get a job as if they had no plans to go to college. They will learn some hard lessons about life and themselves.