Voa education report - Weighing the Idea of a Year Off Before College

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is the VOA Special English Education Report. In Britain other countries, young people sometimes take a "gap year," year off between high school and college. This idea gained a big following in the United States. Recent reports have suggested that interest may be growing, though are no official numbers Charles Deacon is the dean admissions at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.. He estimates in the current first-year class of one thousand six students, only about twenty-five decided to take a year . He says this number has not changed much over years. Mister Deacon says the most common reason is have a chance to travel. But he says international may take a gap year to meet requirements at for military duty. Some high school graduates see a off as a chance to recover after twelve years required education. But it can also give students a to explore their interests. Students who think they want be doctors, for example, could learn about the profession volunteering in a hospital for a year. Many colleges universities support gap-year projects by permitting students to delay admission. Experts say students can grow emotionally and intellectually they work at something they enjoy. The Harvard admissions has an essay on its Web site called "Time or Burn Out for the Next Generation." It praises idea of taking time off to step back, think enjoy gaining life experiences outside the pressure of studies. also notes that students are sometimes admitted to Harvard other colleges in part because they did something unusual that time. Of course, a gap year is not everyone. Students might miss their friends who go on to college. And parents might worry that their children decide not to go to college once they take off. Another concern is money. A year off, away home, can be costly. Holly Bull is the president the Center for Interim Programs. Her company specializes in students plan their gap year. She notes that several have been written about this subject. She says these along with media attention and the availability of information the Internet have increased interest in the idea of year off. And she points out that many gap-year cost far less than a year of college. And the VOA Special English Education Report, written by Dana . I'm Jim Tedder in Washington.

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