How to Get into Uni After a Gap Year
If you are wondering whether you will be able to get into a university after a gap year then the answer is yes. It is absolutely possible to get into a university after a gap year. But, you need to be a little prepared. This blog is going to answer all your questions about how to get into uni after a gap year. So, let’s start!
What is a gap year?
A gap year is taking time off from your studies and doing something else. Some people want to travel to different places or even abroad to gain new experiences. Some people want to work for a while and save money so that they can bear the expenses of studying at a university. Students generally take a gap year after high school, but they apply for college in advance.
A gap year is an opportunity – This time can make you a whole new person. You can discover potential career paths and fulfill your dreams of traveling.
A gap year is like moving out of your comfort zone – Until high school, your general routine is to wake up early, study, attend classes, and complete assignments. But, with a gap year, you can do anything you want.
Things to do in a gap year – If you are planning to just sit back and relax while others go to college, you are simply wasting a year of your life. Make sure you utilize the gap year. There are a lot of things you can do like volunteering abroad, studying another language overseas, or gaining practical skills on an international internship.
The pros and cons of taking a gap year
If you are still deciding whether you should start college straightaway or whether you should take a gap year, these pros and cons might help you.
Pros of taking a gap year
- You can gain valuable experience
- You can develop a better sense of who you are, what are your interests and passions
- You can gain a better understanding of the world around you
- You can experience different cultures, meet new people and learn new languages
- You become more globally minded and mature
- You will build your own network that can help you professionally
Cons of taking a gap year
- You waste the whole year doing nothing but staying at home
- It can be difficult to shift to academic life after a gap year
- Travelling to new places can be expensive for students
- You might feel that you are behind your peers
- It requires proper planning
So now it is up to you whether you want to take a gap year or not. Gap years are actually quite common these days. So, students must not worry about support from family, friends and colleges/universities.
When to apply for college if you are taking a gap year
There are two options or paths here for students
Some students apply for colleges after high school itself if there is an option to apply as a “deferred applicant”. This means that you can continue with your plans for the gap year and you do not have to worry about your admissions after your gap year. This is good for those students who are planning to travel abroad in the gap year. Once you are abroad, it could be difficult for you to find the time and resources to complete your application.
The second option is to apply after your gap year. Here you have to take into consideration the personal statement that you write. You can share what you did in the gap year, and what skills you gained. You never know you might get an edge over other students as you will have additional skills and even work experience that other students will not have.
Answering a few important questions
Students who take a gap year or are planning to take a gap year often have certain questions in mind. We have taken out three frequently asked questions and have tried to answer them here.
- Will you be disadvantaged when applying?
Many students worry that getting admission to university after a gap year will be difficult. But, one should not worry as most colleges in Australia understand if a student has a gap year and provide support in every way possible. They will be assessing your application in the same manner as everyone else’s. So, a student with a gap year will not be disadvantaged when applying.
- Is it hard to return to full-time study?
A lot of students wonder how difficult it will be to return to full-time study. To be honest, it could be a little overwhelming in the beginning but if you have spent the whole year gaining skills, it will not be that tough to start studying again. With your academic life starting again, you must stay prepared to adjust to the new environment and study schedule. You cannot expect to have as much free time as you had earlier.
The key to success in uni after college is being organized.
- Will it be easy to make new friends and have a social life after a gap year?
When you enter the uni after Year 12, everyone is in the same boat. You might have friends accompanying you to the university or you might find a bunch of friends at the university. But, when you join college after the gap year, things are different. You might not have the impulse to make new friends immediately. We have seen many gap year students who do not have a social circle and pass the university.
However, this should not be the case. You must make an effort to get into the social circle. Make friends, talk to your classmates, share your experiences and learn from them. Otherwise, you might feel quite lonely at the university.
We hope that this blog might have answered a lot of your questions about gap years and how to get into uni after a gap year. Overall, doing something that is not what everyone will do after high school can be scary. But, if you decide to take a gap year, prepare yourself to make extra efforts once you enter university.
If you need any help in coping with academic life after a gap year, CrunchGrade is here for you. We have the best tutors from all across Australia who can make it easier for you to fit into university life.