Why delaying college isn't smart

Regarding the Nov. 7 op-ed "Advice for the college-bound: Wait":

I could not disagree more with Gwyeth T. Smith Jr.'s claim that a gap year is a good idea for today's high school graduates. As a high school principal, I see students who atrophy academically after the summer and spend the first quarter just getting back into the groove of school. Most of our students rely on counselors and teachers to guide them through the college admissions process, and many would not go to college at all if not for the help our staff provides with scholarships and other matters. Most families cannot afford the luxury of an outside college consultant.

For those whose families can afford it, a year traveling, volunteering or learning a trade that they will probably never use may make sense. But it's not helpful to encourage students to take it easy and get a job when the economy is so bad that there aren't jobs to be had.

Yes, many students work part time, go to community college and live at home with the hope of transitioning to a four-year school. That is different. For students who just wait, hoping to grow up and then find themselves a year further away from math and academic rigor, taking a "gap" year may mean they will not go college at all.

Carole C. Goodman, Silver Spring

The writer is principal of James Hubert Blake High School.

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It would be a wonderful experience for my two college-bound high school seniors to have a gap year to learn a trade or pursue service learning.

But their dad's health insurance will cover them only as full-time students, and once they're off, they cannot be reinstated. Then what?

Ruth Spong, Fairfax