Can I take a gap year after junior year?

I'm thinking about taking a break after my junior year to maybe travel or work. Is it possible to plan for a gap year at this point in high school, and how might it affect my college applications?

Absolutely, taking a break between your junior and senior year of high school is possible and can be advantageous for some students. Rather than a "gap year," this time is typically referred to as a "bridge year" or "postgraduate (PG) year" and usually involves attending an additional year of high school at a different institution before applying to college. This can afford you the time to mature, broaden your perspective, improve your grades, or further develop your interests and extracurriculars before entering the college application process.

However, if you plan on simply taking a year off after your junior year and not continue schooling elsewhere (which is less common), understand that most colleges require applicants to have completed a high school diploma or its equivalent. This may make the application process more challenging, as high schools may not offer support through the college application process if students have already graduated.

Either way, a gap year or bridge year does not negatively impact your college applications outright. In fact, many colleges look favorably upon students who use their time wisely. Be sure to have a clear plan for your year away from traditional schooling that displays intentionality and aligns with your longer-term goals. This can be presented positively in your college applications by illustrating your maturity and determination.

Note: Before deciding, you should speak with your high school counselor and your parents about the potential implications and logistics. This should include discussing academic arrangements for your senior year (or equivalent), how it might affect your graduation timeline, and how to frame this in your college applications. Also, if it's specifically to travel or work that you seek, it might be worth exploring if there are programs or options that allow you to gain those experiences during summers or supplementary programs during high school so you can "have your cake and eat it too".