"New High-School Elective: Put Off College": a GAP YEAR article by WSJ

[Papa_Chicken]

<p>[New</a> High-School Elective: Put Off College - WSJ.com](<a href=“http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123060213506341461.html?]New”>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123060213506341461.html?)</p>

<p>excerpt

The increased focus, maturity and motivation that gappers obtain – along with a brief escape from the intense pressure that leaves many high-schoolers burned out – has led more high-school guidance counselors and college admissions officers to suggest gap years to high achievers and strugglers alike. “Not every 17-year-old is ready to enter college, and a gap year… allows them to be in the real world, do service and approach college much more deliberately,” says Karen Giannino, senior associate dean of admission at Colgate College.</p>

<p>Longtime educator Karl Haigler, co-author of “The Gap-Year Advantage,” agrees. “We think that there should be more of a focus on success in college, not just on access to college,” he says. That’s partly what motivated Princeton University to become the first school to formalize a gap- or bridge-year program. It will be launched in the fall of 2009, starting with 20 students and growing to 100. Students will be invited to apply after they have been accepted to the school. The program will send students for a year of social service work in a foreign country. Students won’t be charged tuition and will be eligible for financial aid.

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