High School Seniors Delay Entry into College and Take a 'Gap Year'

Colleges across the U.S are encouraging seniors to delay entry into school and instead participate in an expanding program for students known as a "gap year."

Universities want to give students time to recharge after the stress of high school and build life and work experiences with a structured program of volunteer work, part-time employment, travel or internship in foreign countries.

President Obama's daughter Malia is one of those students. She's taking a year off after graduating high school before attending Harvard University.                                                                                                                                                                           

Gap years are getting increased attention, but the percentage of students who end up deferring their admission is small and it's typically students from higher-income families.

Some colleges have been seeking to make gap year more accessible to lower-income families by offering financial aid packages that allow students to explore different communities.

However, not all universities allow it and policies vary among programs. Typically, once a student receives an admissions letter they may request delaying their entry for a year or two. They must outline what they plan to do during their time off and once it’s approved the student may need to provide updates and check-in at the university periodically.

5 'Gap Year' Activities:

• Study Abroad
• Volunteer with nonprofit groups
• Work with a political campaign
• Work part-time
• Intern

According to a 2015 report by the American Gap Association, popular destinations for students were parts of Central and South America, Israel, India and Australia.

Students who took a gap year typically say they entered college feeling recharged and focused, while universities say those students often arrive on campus as better leaders — more civically engaged and motivated, reports the Associated Press.

Jeffrey Selingo, author of There is Life After College, says that students enter college having a better idea of what they do or don't want to do.

"Students come away much more mature and take their studies more seriously, and they are more assured of what they want to do major-wise," he said.