Why do (or don't) college counselors suggest a gap year?

College guidance counselors are under tremendous pressure to get their graduating high school seniors into colleges. There is the personal investment they have in each student, of course, but there is also the undeniable impact of the graduating class's college acceptances - in name and number - as reviewed by faculty, peers, parents and even government. With this pressure and responsibility, guidance counselors can be reticent to recommend a gap year, particularly if they don't know about gap year options, and benefits.

Many of us in this growing field of experiential education have spent the last 10 years educating students, parents, and schools about the gap year, and actively dispelling myths and providing facts about gap time. Thankfully, more and more guidance counselors are taking the time to understand how valuable a well-planned gap year can be for their students.

Stuart Nachbar is one such counselor. As an education writer and college counselor for Educated Quest, Stuart recently met with Center for Interim Programs President, Holly Bull. Stuart reports on this meeting and what he learned from Holly here.