Can You Take a Gap Year After You Have Been Accepted to College?
Welcome to college! It’s an exciting day to receive the acceptance letter to the college you had planned to attend. Well, sometimes plans change and you have decided you aren’t quite ready to start college. That’s okay. You may have decided that you want to wait a year to explore what you plan to attend college to study. Taking a gap year IS acceptable even after you have gotten that important acceptance letter.
First steps
Since you have made the decision to take a gap year, make sure to contact the college you were originally planning to attend and let them know you will be delaying a year. Some colleges may have more steps you need to take but you will find out the process when you call.
Make the most of your time out of the classroom
If you do decide to take a gap year, make sure you make the most of the time you are off. Explore what you plan to study. This is a great opportunity to get out and find a job that you may be interested, in an internship, or even just a job shadow so you can see what a career would look like.
You can also think about taking some time to volunteer. Volunteering can also help you explore your career path, build your resume for the future and let’s be honest…it’s also nice to think about how you can help others.
Now, you may want to just take a break from your schooling. Even if that is the case, try and think of ways you can still improve as a person and in your academics when you choose to return to your education. Get some “real-world” experience and return to the classroom with a new perspective.
You aren’t alone
Taking a gap year isn’t as uncommon as you may think. One in five Iowa high school students that planned to attend college after graduation changes their mind. Take the time you need to make the best decision for you. When you decide to return, community college is a great option! A shortage of skilled workers is one of Iowa’s biggest economic challenges, including industrial trades workers.
Your year away from the classroom will likely give you much needed perspective on the real world. When you decide to return to school to study, you may have a different outlook – and that’s OK. Community colleges offer one to two-year programs that can get you in-class training and ready for the workforce quicker. The shortage of workers increases your chances of employment even more!
Ready to return
When you are ready to return, there are things that you need to remember. Even though you have been accepted to college and received that letter a year ago, you will need to reapply (though acceptance is all but guaranteed). Along with reapplying make sure you take the necessary steps to get the funds you may qualify for. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA, apply for financial aid and scholarships. A bonus of the year you took off? You may now qualify for more funding or scholarships than you did before.
Another great step to start your return is calling to talk with an admissions counselor. They can help you with the application process as well as finding the classes that will fit your career goals.
Take the gap year you need to be ready for college and when you are ready to return, check out all of the great programs that are available at Marshalltown Community College and Ellsworth Community College.
