What you need to know about gap years

BETA Camp Program Director Salman Sohani is a fan of gap years.

And y’all agree.

46% of you told us that you plan to encourage your kid to take a gap year after they graduate from high school, and an additional 38% are considering it.

Given that this community is composed of forward-thinking parents, I’m not surprised.

But how do you navigate this terrain? How do you decide if a gap year is right for your kid and, more importantly, ensure it's a catapult to their future, not just a break from academia?

Let’s dive in. 👇

Why consider a gap year?

A Temple University study revealed that students who participated in a gap year self-reported enormous personal growth.

You’ll notice that the pink lines indicating personal growth are concentrated on the higher end of the chart, while the purple lines indicating academy growth are concentrated on the low end of the chart.

I’ll explain why that’s a good thing. 📊

Bob Claggett, a former Harvard University Admissions Officer, created a methodology to assess academic performance between students who did and did not take a gap year heading into Middlebury College and UNC Chapel Hill.

His findings show that those who took a gap year performed better academically than those who did not, and were more likely to finish college.

So while your kid may not realize it, the personal growth that is achieved during a gap year is easily correlated to academic success in college.

Is a gap year the right fit?

It's not for everyone though. You gotta know your kid.

• Are they self-motivated? 

• Do they have a passion project they're anxious to dive into? 

• Are they itching to travel and experience a different culture?

If they’re likely to spend the year gaming in your basement, then it's a no-go. 

A gap year is about growth, not stagnation. It's about gaining experiences that will give them an edge in the real world, not just a break from the books.

Another thing to consider is long-term degree programs, like medicine and law. 

If your kid has always dreamed of becoming a surgeon, that’s going to take them 13+ years of schooling, so they may not want to delay getting started.

How to prepare

If you’re considering encouraging your kid to take a gap year when it’s time, just remember —  it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Here’s how you can gently guide your kid to maximize their potential gap year:

🔭For Pre-Teens

Plant the seed early and let them know they have options. This age is all about discovery.

Get them involved in different activities – arts, sports, science, even business. The Apollo program is a great way to expose kids to a heck of a lot of interests in a short period of time.

The goal? Help them find that spark that could later fuel their gap year.

🎯 For Teens 

This is the time to start honing skills at a more advanced level. It's about depth now, not just breadth. 

Encourage them to start thinking about projects they could undertake – something that they can build on.

Teens at BETA Camp build a startup in 4-weeks. That’s pretty freaking advanced.

🎓 For Almost-Grads 

Now's crunch time. If they're leaning towards a gap year, help them outline a plan. 

What are their goals? Do they want to:

• Launch a startup?

• Volunteer abroad?

• Work on a research project? 

Don’t go into the year without a plan for measuring what they’d like to achieve. Leave room for serendipity and exploration, but be sure to help them outline tangible steps to reach their goals.

Then get excited. You get to push your bird out of the nest and watch them soar. 🦅