Does Harvard accept gap year students easily?

I'm really interested in attending Harvard but want to take a gap year first. Are there any specific rules or things I should know about how they view gap year applications?

Harvard University encourages admitted students to consider taking a gap year before enrolling. In fact, the admissions office indicates that 100-125 students choose to take a gap year each year. They believe that gap year experiences can contribute to the development of the student, providing them with a broader perspective of the world, and a chance to mature.

The process, however, is not as simple as applying during your gap year. Students usually apply during their senior year of high school, just as everyone else does. You would go through the regular application and admissions process: submitting your Common Application, your essays, recommendations, test scores (if applicable), and high school transcript.

If accepted, you would then request to defer your admission for a year. The university generally grants these requests, as long as you provide a plan outlining what you intend to do during this gap year. The plan could include working, interning, volunteering, travelling, or pursuing any other productive activities. Once the plan is approved, your spot would be held for you until you enroll the following year.

Remember to keep academics part of your gap year plan, as Harvard wants to see that students are keeping their skills honed during their time off. For instance, this can be achieved by taking a couple of online courses in the field you're interested in. Also, it's critical to consider the financial implications of a gap year--not all opportunities are paid, and some may require additional expenses. Planning early can help mitigate some of these costs.

As always, it's important to stay in touch with the admissions office and adhere to any guidelines or deadlines they provide. The admissions office will be your best resource for up-to-date and personalized advice.