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There are dozens of reasons a student might choose to take a gap year, a voluntary yearlong break taken between the end of high school and the start of college. It might be to travel, find a job or internship, or complete volunteer or service work.

In recent years, we've seen that about 3% to 5% of students take a gap year after high school. At Bucknell, that number is about 1% of each incoming class.

But what are the pros and cons of taking that year away? How do you apply for a gap year deferral if you've already gotten into college? And what should students keep in mind before and during their gap year?

In this episode of College Admissions Insider, Bucknell’s assistant director of admissions, Kristin Morrow, offers advice to students deciding whether a gap year is right for them, including insights into how that pause might impact their applications and admission to the colleges on their list.

Read a transcript for this episode

If you have a question, comment or idea for a future episode, email [email protected].

Please note: Information presented in this episode was accurate at the time of recording, but may have since changed. Participants may have changed roles or no longer hold positions at Bucknell University.

Links:

• Blog post: Is a Gap Year a Good or Bad Idea?
• General information about applying to Bucknell
• For admitted students
• For prospective students
• For parents of prospective students
• Bucknell Virtual Welcome Center
• Bucknell Custom Viewbook

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