Along the Road to College, More Teens Take a Detour

Barbara Elliott, director of enrollment management at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, noted that the average American leaves secondary school at least a year younger than counterparts in other countries. And the older Europeans still often take gap years.

Kevin Quinn, secondary level vice president of the American Counseling Association and a counselor at South Kingstown High School in Wakefield, R.I., said many youths in the United States enter college having no idea what they want to study -- and no idea of the value of money. It's not "such a bad idea," he said, for young people to take a year to work "to get an appreciation of life and hard work."

Indeed, some colleges offer an opportunity to do that for students who get to college and realize that they could use real-life experience. Northeastern University in Boston, for example, operates an extensive cooperative-learning program for sophomores, which requires them to work for a semester at a job connected to their studies. It gives them time to learn about the real world, Northeastern President Richard M. Freeland said.

A growing number of colleges and universities recommend that students take a year off between high school and college and are willing to defer admission. John A. Blackburn, dean of admissions at the University of Virginia, said he is a big proponent of taking a gap year and recommends that students first apply to college and then ask for a deferment.

"It is easier for the student to do it that way than in trying to get materials together from teachers and counselors while working on a mission program in El Salvador or in a hospital in Nairobi," he said.

What's more, college counselors now tell graduating seniors that a year or more working before entering professional school can be valuable. Numerous law schools advise students not to rush into applying. Boston College's "pre-law brief" to applicants says: "Apply when you are ready to go. The average age of a first year law student is 26. Strengthen your application with internships, work or volunteer experience."

Astiz worked during her time off, which began in late 2004 during her second year in college. Her experience at a catering company -- where she was on her feet for hours at a time, setting and cleaning tables -- helped her realize how fortunate she was to have had the chance to get an education. It gave her the will to win back her scholarship and start classes last month with a new outlook on life.

Astiz has this advice for high school students: "If you don't know what you want out of college, don't go yet."