By: Lynn Dang

If Malia Obama is doing it, should you?

Taking a gap year between high school and college is growing in popularity across America. Many high school seniors are even encouraged to take a break. Students can gain many benefits, including self discovery and educational experiences.

A gap year is a year that a student takes off between high school and post-secondary education. It is more recognized globally in places such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries, according to the Huffington Post. However, colleges are beginning to accept gap years more.

30,000 to 40,000 students take a gap year every year according to the Associated Press. Some Ivy League colleges even encourage their students to postpone their first year and take a one year break.

Harvard University is one of these colleges. Between 80 and 110 students defer each year.

According to The President and Fellows of Harvard College, “Harvard College encourages admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way.”

President Obama’s daughter, Malia Obama, is one Harvard admissions acceptee who decided to take a gap year. She will attend Harvard University beginning in the fall of 2017.

According to HHS guidance counselor Lisa Maggio, students who take a gap year can choose to do many things during their year, including volunteering, traveling abroad, working, or interning.

Maggio believes gap years can be very useful. Life experience, personal growth, and interest exploration are just some of the things one can do. The gap year may give time for a student to figure out their career goals. For example, an internship could make or break a student’s opinion.

According to the Cal Alumni Association (CAA), which is the UC Berkeley alumni organization, less than 40 percent of college students complete their education in four years and the rest drop out or get their degrees five or six years after starting college, with increasing costs.

These statistics may be due to the stress of so many changes happening at once, according to CAA. Changes include leaving home, making new friends, working, and succeeding academically.

However, gap years will not always be beneficial. Maggio believes personal circumstances determine whether or not taking a gap year is worth it.

“A gap year can be expensive, you may feel a year behind your friends/classmates, or there may be some unforeseen disadvantages,” Maggio said. Disadvantages could include homesickness or dissatisfaction.

Maggio recommends applying to college during senior year. Once accepted, a one year deferral can be requested. However, some precautions must be made.

“[Students] will want to check with individual colleges regarding their policies and procedures on deferring admission,” Maggio said.

Maggio also encourages interested students to plan accordingly.

“I think students should seriously consider what they are going to do during their gap year,” Maggio said.

Some organizations help incoming freshmen structure their gap years. Princeton University offers the Bridge Year Program. Through this program, students travel to an international location of their choosing for nine months. There, they do University sponsored service, according to the Trustees of Princeton University.

Whether or not one chooses to plan their gap year, it’s important to make sure there is a plan.

“I would not recommend taking a gap year to sit home and do nothing!” Maggio said.

A gap year can be beneficial to all different types of students. It can be for the student who needs to figure out her or his major, for the student who wants unique experiences, or for the student who is “burned out” from high school.

“It really depends on the student and their circumstances,” Maggio said.