"Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is."
-- Will Rogers
SPRING 2016
Each Spring, I dedicate this April newsletter to high school seniors who are in the throes of deliberation about the next year.
If you are unsure if you are ready for 4 more years of academia, or are clueless about what you want to study, or are feeling burned out, perhaps deferring entrance for a semester or year to college is a worthwhile option. Scary as it might feel to consider doing something entirely different than your peers, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Yes, you might experience "fomo" in late August when your buddies are instagramming tailgate parties at the first fall football game, or wild frisbee games on the quad, or new friends at freshman orientation. But I promise that your experiences traveling, immersing yourself in another culture, gaining fluency in another language, and learning about your boundaries, values, and passions, will far out trump their ordinary photos. Your facebook page could be filled with photos of a glorious sunset atop a newly constructed trail at a National Park in Moab, or with smiling local community members surrounding you at a recently installed clean water filter, or with a joyous video of Tanzanian first graders dancing to a popular American song.
Do you feel overwhelmed when googling "gap year"? Need help deciding between an 8 month program versus 2 semester long programs versus a week-to-week language immersion program versus hostel hopping on the South Island of New Zealand? Taylor the Gap can provide assuring guidance in navigating the number of gap options that is right for you or your child, but hurry, as many programs fill up between March and June. Now is the time to defer, contact Marion, and get planning!
