Gap Year?

[AFfalcon22]

Would taking a gap year have a negative effect on my Application?

 

[Old Enlisted Marine]

That would likely depend on what you did with that year.

 

[MidCakePa]

You’ll very likely be asked about it. Why did you do it? What did you achieve? What did you learn? Be ready to answer those questions in a way that convinces USAFA that the experience will make you a better cadet and officer.

 

[jaglvr]

You won't be able to take a Gap year if you are offered an appointment. You would have to reapply all over again.

 

[MidCakePa]

You won't be able to take a Gap year if you are offered an appointment. You would have to reapply all over again.

With all due respect, not completely true. There are midshipmen who’ve received offer of appointment, sworn in, and then taken a gap year — actually two years — to pursue an LDS mission. OP doesn’t explain the reason for their gap year, so don’t know if this would apply. But it is possible, depending on circumstances. Rare, but possible.

 

[Capt MJ]

That would likely depend on what you did with that year.

Exactly.

Project ahead to the essay you would write after a gap year.

Would it describe significant personal growth experiences, broadening of horizons or perspectives or good you did in the world, with zero loss of momentum and development from your HS activities and learning? Was it a year worth every bit of the “gap” which strengthened your application, showing unique accomplishments and maturity? Would your “gap year resume” compare favorably with peers who did not take one?

If your gap year has any whiff of lack of purpose or direction and simply gives you a year off from working hard at something, I would think you are taking a risk relying solely on HS accomplishments.

I think gap years can be enriching, eye-opening, growth-catalyzing, wonderful opportunities, but that doesn’t happen without thought and planning. It doesn’t have to be one of those expensive, travel abroad things either. There are opportunities in your backyard if you look for them. Learn a new language and throw yourself into working every day at a non-profit which helps others way less fortunate than you, giving you a real perspective on the struggles of others through face-to-face exposure. One of the USNA mids we sponsored did that - she lived at home, expanded her HS Spanish skills through a community college course and online self-study, and went daily to a job at a non-profit providing food and shelter and resources to young families in need. She went from being a general helper to being fluent enough to become the assistant resource coordinator, handling appointments and phone call outreach, supervising 5 others. Combined with her excellent HS accomplishments, she now had all kinds of things to talk about in terms of skills, growth, abilities. What impressed me most about her was she said she wanted to do this full-time experience before getting too wrapped up in school, career, eventual family, but always wanted to leave time in her life to give to others. No surprise she was very active in the USNA Brigade community service group, a leader there as well.

All this offered to support your value proposition analysis of a gap year.

 

[jaglvr]

With all due respect, not completely true. There are midshipmen who’ve received offer of appointment, sworn in, and then taken a gap year — actually two years — to pursue an LDS mission. OP doesn’t explain the reason for their gap year, so don’t know if this would apply. But it is possible, depending on circumstances. Rare, but possible.

My bad...true.

 

[cb7893]

Would taking a gap year have a negative effect on my Application?

I am the self-appointed SAF expert on gap years, but can't really comment with out knowing a few things.

What do you want to do during your gap year? Are you dead set on USAFA vs. AFROTC? Dead set on the AF? Or dead set on commissioning as an Officer in the US Military?

Your response can be the outline of the first draft of your essay about why you took a gap year and what you accomplished.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

There are midshipmen who’ve received offer of appointment, sworn in, and then taken a gap year — actually two years — to pursue an LDS mission.

This really isn't a "gap year" between HS and College. There was a good thread on this in the USNA forum last year or so, and my recollection is that LDS students could apply and get a leave of absence for a year, maybe two, to pursue their Mission. Like anything else in the Navy --eligibility and approval likely depends on the record your have established. A sh!t hot Cadet or Midshipman is going to have a much better chance of approval than one who is just getting by.

The gap year question comes up frequently . Theoretically, if you do something meaningful and can use it to beef up your application, it could be a good thing, That said, I've never seen anyone successfully execute and get accepted from a GAP year. Keep in mind, there is model that Admissions is used to seeing (ie. direct HS accession), and the burden is on the Candidate to demonstrate that taking that year off makes you a better student and prospective officer.

 

[SOLL]

What Old Navy BGO said. "Gap Year" refers to waiting a year after high school graduation before starting college. Admissions models are not well geared to a "Gap Year". The many appointments that are offered to slightly older applicants are centered around the prep school, Falcon Foundation scholars, the enlisted LEAD program, and college re-applicants.

As far as the LDS missions, as well as others, I remember that being referred to as "Stop Out" a few decades ago. What I remember is everyone in that era had the option to take a year off before passing the official date just before starting the junior year to think about whether they wanted to sign up for the 5 year commitment. I knew a fair amount that did so. What I remember is most came back. LDS got extra flexibility to fulfill their 2 year mission requirements, and could do so following their 1st through 3rd year. That's what I REMEMBER anyway. Is it similar now?

 

[AF Roots]

With all due respect, not completely true. There are midshipmen who’ve received offer of appointment, sworn in, and then taken a gap year — actually two years — to pursue an LDS mission. OP doesn’t explain the reason for their gap year, so don’t know if this would apply. But it is possible, depending on circumstances. Rare, but possible.

It's my understanding from speaking with a couple of cadets that have taken LDS after one or two years at the academy, they had to dis enroll from the academy and upon their return would need re apply for admission as well as receive a new congressional nomination. Nothing is guaranteed but in most if not all cases, the cadet is able to attend the academy and continue on to graduation and service.

 

[DDmom]

With all due respect, not completely true. There are midshipmen who’ve received offer of appointment, sworn in, and then taken a gap year — actually two years — to pursue an LDS mission. OP doesn’t explain the reason for their gap year, so don’t know if this would apply. But it is possible, depending on circumstances. Rare, but possible.

I believe most take the LDS after their second year & before affirmation. Then when they come back they actually have to reapply. This is at USMA, I have no knowledge of how the other academies handle these leave of absence.

 

[flieger83]

I believe most take the LDS after their second year & before affirmation. Then when they come back they actually have to reapply. This is at USMA, I have no knowledge of how the other academies handle these leave of absence.

At USAFA it's not uncommon for LDS cadets to leave after their first year. At least, that's been my experience as an ALO in the past years.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83