Q:  My son is so stressed out with senior year and college applications that he's actually lost his enthusiasm for going to college.  He says he wants to take a year off.  Is this a good idea?  Will universities look down on him if he graduates a year late or starts college a year late?

A:  There is no law stating that students must go to college right away after graduating from high school.  (Just as there is not law saying that everyone must be compelled to attend college, either; but that's another column.)

In England it has been a common practice for decades that students take what is called a "gap year" between the end of secondary school and the beginning of university studies.  Students might work, perform national service, travel, or participate in a program for which they had no time during their regular high school years.  Other countries require its young people to serve in the military before they can go on to advanced academic study.

In recent years, the "gap year" concept has grown in popularity in the United States. While this has led to a proliferation of companies that connect students with programs (just Google "gap year programs" and see), there is no need to pay for arranging a year off.<!--more-->

It is very important, however, that the year off is not truly "off."  Colleges do not mind if a student has a gap between high school graduation and starting college -- as long as the time has been spent with a purpose.

Here are some examples of "gap year" activities that are seen as valid, worthy reasons for putting off the start of college:

•           doing volunteer work with a religious or civic organization

•           helping to care for an ill or recovering family member

•           serving in the military

•           accompanying a parent who has been given a work assignment in a new city, state, or nation for a year

•           being offered an internship opportunity

•           doing a postgraduate year of study at a religious institution or other program for no college credit

•           getting a job to try out one's work skills and interests

It is important to document these activities, keep records and notes, or write a journal in order to show college admissions offices that the year has been an important experience that has supplemented a student's knowledge.  It should be clear that the year's experience has been valuable, making the student more mature and an even stronger candidate for college.

If your son has already applied to college, and been accepted, he can ask the college for a one-year "deferment" or postponement -- that is, explaining his plans for a gap year and asking permission to delay his matriculation, or entering college, for one year.  If there is a solid plan in place, the deferment request is usually granted.