Taking a “gap year” between high school and college has become a popular alternative among many teenagers. A “gap year” is a period of time, usually an academic year, in which a student takes a break from formal education and routine (“gap year”). This free time provides a break from many years of formal study and is often spent traveling or working. In the past, taking a gap year led to a problematic return to school. Today, however, they are generally seen as positive and supported by universities and employers. The idea behind a gap year is that it provides opportunities for practical experiences, which allow young people to learn more about themselves and what they want to do in their future. While education is undoubtedly crucial, learning experiences outside of the classroom are just as important, if not more so. Although gap years can expose teens to danger, further jeopardizing their academic futures, the countless positives they bring outweigh these negative possibilities. As a result, teenagers in the United States should consider the option of a gap year more seriously than in the past. While gap years are growing in popularity in the United States, as shown in Figure 1, they are much more common in Europe and Australia. . The concept of a gap year originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s and has long been considered a rite of passage there. Statistics from UCAS, the admissions service for British universities and colleges, confirm this: 5% of university applicants in the United Kingdom deferred their admission in 2012. The United States statistics pale in comparison , where it is estimated that only 1.2% of first-year university students deferred their admission in 2012. 2011 (Avg). The conventional American school life plan, co...... middle of paper ......t. 2012. Internet. January 23, 2014. .Kristof, Greg. Personal interview. February 20, 2014. Moy, Jennifer. “Why are gap years more common in Europe than in the United States?” » Go abroad. Ed. Nadja Moubashar. WYSETC Organization, July 25, 2013. Web. January 22, 2014. .Works ConsultedLander, Emma. “The pros and cons of taking a gap year. » Go abroad. WYSE Travel Confederation, July 11, 2013. Web. February 12, 2014. .Murray, Phil. "Preface." Foreword. The Gap Year Guide 2012: Everything You Need to Know About Taking a Gap Year or Gap Year. 2012 ed. Woodbridge: John Catt Educational, 2011. 8-9. Print.Naujoks, Isabelle. Abi Und Dann Weg [Abitur and then away]. Fribourg:Interconnections, 2013. Print.