<p>I’m thinking about not going to school…I was admitted to UCLA but my cousin is getting a job at the mercent navy. I’d rather travel the world before settling down, do you think its a good idea to put of schooling?</p>
<p>You must not want to go that badly. I’d gladly, very gladly, go to UCLA and you can “Travel the World”.</p>
<p>Seriously, School is a good thing…if that’s what you want to do. But “Traveling the World” sounds a lot easier than it probably is. The world will always be there. You might to do the college thing then travel. </p>
<p>If you choose travel…would you join the Navy or something or would you just take off in any direction? I’d be scared to travel without some kind of guarantee or plan. If I get lost it will never make the news, so I’d need to be careful.</p>
<p>The thought of a gap-year never even crossed my mind until I got to college and started hearing about other students’. They had amazing experiences traveling, studying abroad, performing professionally, and doing other crazy things. But I know a number of people who are doing the same thing in a gap year before grad school or employment.</p>
<p>My personal opinion is that it would be better to wait. It can feel awkward coming into school a year older than your classmates and a year behind your friends from home, and it can be difficult to gear up motivation to go back to school. And between study abroad, fellowships, summers, and the possibility of a gap year after college, you can rest assured that you’re not missing out on your only chance to explore the world…college is not “settling down.” You might also have a logistically easier time of it when you’re a few years older, too (20-25).</p>
<p>That said, I say the above as someone who didn’t need to worry about immediate employment. If you’re not heading to grad school, it might be tougher to find a job on your own after a year of being out of school. Couldn’t say. I’m on sort of a gap year myself, so my perspective is definitely biased. And if you’re not ready to head to school yet, then maybe you should listen to yourself. </p>
<p>I guess I’d say that if you’re not ready to head to college just yet, then maybe a gap year is a good idea, so you should think about what to do during one. But if, travel aside, you do feel ready to head to UCLA, I’d stay on track and prioritize travel opportunities in the coming few years. </p>
<p>Good luck, whatever you do. Sounds like a few good options :)</p>
<p>I would go to UCLA. Study some stuff and get a degree. The world will be mostly the same in 4 years, and you can travel then.</p>
<p>I’m graduating from College in May, and then I plan to do some European backpacking over the summer, and some extensive volunteer work during the next year, and then move on to a job.</p>
<p>You will have SO many opportunities to travel while in college. It’s AMAZING- my brother (also a senior) can’t believe it. I was able to go to Kyoto, Japan during January break in my freshman year, spent 7 months in Israel in my junior year, then I have two separate trips to Germany and back to Israel for my January break!</p>
<p>Rest assured… just go to college and seek opportunities there. Very often, they come at a substaintal discount, cheaper than if you just took a gap year.</p>
<p>Gap year can be very difficult if you don’t know what you want to get out of it- it should be concrete and feasible. Planning for 12 months is more challenging than you think! You’ll get much more out of “Traveling the world” if you have something in mind that isn’t idealistic.</p>
<p>I would have loved to have had a gap year, but it didn’t work out. It is amazing to see all of these people on here that travel. I haven’t even been out of my own city in 2 1/2 years.</p>