College can wait awhile

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2008 | by G. Jeffrey MacDonald

Worn-out high school seniors are getting fresh encouragement from a range of sources to take a break -- a "gap year" -- before plunging into college. But to be beneficial, it needs to involve more than rest and relaxation.

This spring, high schools in seven metropolitan areas hosted their first gap-year fairs to acquaint students with options for spending a year away from the academic treadmill. Earlier in the year, Princeton University announced plans to formalize a "bridge year" program for admitted students to do service work abroad before enrolling.

Meanwhile, gap-year consultants have ramped up efforts to serve what they see as a market ripe for growth.

"The U.S. is viewed in our sector as the sleeping giant," with the "potential to surpass the...