Harvard Recommends Gap Years - Here's Why You Should Too

Recently, more and more students are taking gap years. For those unfamiliar with the concept, traditional gap years are when graduating high school students take a year-long break in between high school and University. Gap years are overwhelmingly beneficial to students: and now there's evidence and experience to back this up. In a study done by Middlebury College, students who took gap years had higher GPAs in college, took on more leadership roles, and had better mental health.

Prestigious Universities also encourage students to take gap years. As William Fitzsimmons, Harvard's Dean of Admissions shares “Perhaps the best way of all to get the full benefit of a “time-off” is to postpone entrance to college for a year. For more than four decades, Harvard has recommended this option, indeed proposing it in the letter of admission". Though Harvard recommends that it's incoming freshmen take a year off - not all gap years are created equal. It's the structured, well planned, curated gap years that make all the difference, and we're going to tell you why.

Many students take unstructured gap years. They might backpack around Europe or South East Asia or volunteer in a school in India. While these gap years are fun and expose students to a region of the world and are often crash courses in budgeting 101, they are much more an exercise in independence than in education.

Students who take structured gap years have a more rounded experience - with guidance, learning, skill development, and personal growth. Students also travel in groups where safety and security is paramount and well thought out. Baret Scholars, where students are offered the opportunity to live in seven different regions of the world in seven months, is a new gap year program. It's an amalgamation of curation and freedom, that brings together the two poles of a gap year experience - structure and independent exploration.

Below are some of the benefits of taking a well curated, structured gap year:

Global and local experiences

A well structured gap year will place you in a variety of regions - not just one. Having a global experience allows a student to compare, contrast, and bring a real breadth of experience and knowledge to their college seminars. Additionally, future employers would value this global experience and feel more comfortable placing the candidate in different geographies. The ability to adapt to different geographies is a valuable skill to build in an ever increasingly interconnected world.

Friendships and mentoring

A structured gap year brings together like minded students and expert mentors to create a supportive environment to explore the world. Structured programs create a strong sense of belonging and community that ensures student camaraderie and safety. The shared experiences that are created during this year create long lasting friendships and connections that extend far beyond the gap year itself.

Well researched route and educational options for students

Planning a gap year can be overwhelming and involve months of research and organization. A structured gap year takes the guesswork out of planning and provides a well organized tried and tested educational experience for students. Instead of focusing on endless planning and logistics, students can focus on being present in the experience itself.

Transition to college

Taking a structured gap year eases students into University life. It helps students transition into their futures by creating opportunities for exploration and independence in a supportive communal environment without the constraints of stress inducing University courses and exams.

Clarity, motivation, self knowledge, mental health

The combination of exploration and independence creates opportunities for personal and professional growth. When students step out of their comfort zone, they are rewarded with self discovery and self knowledge and leave with a stronger sense of mental clarity and purpose. This enhanced mental well-being becomes a powerful asset to students as they navigate the challenges of University life.

Structured gap years are a powerful investment in personal and academic development. By taking on a gap year and living in different regions of the world, students will gain a first hand global perspective that puts them at an advantage in today's increasingly interconnected world. When students embark on a structured gap year, which is created specifically to support students' personal development in a safe and supportive environment, they are left better prepared for their University years and beyond.

With a strong focus on research and practical application of knowledge, the University of Mannheim continuously contributes to advancements in various academic disciplines. Its international outlook is underscored by numerous collaborations and exchange programs, attracting a diverse student body and faculty from around the world. The University of Mannheim stands as a beacon of academic excellence, preparing students to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving global landscape. All bachelor's degrees are taught in German.

Admission Eligibility

Admission in Germany depends largely on the academic credentials students have earned in India. Grade 12 Indian Board: Direct admission is only possible under special conditions (JEE Main and Advance rank obtained) for technical and natural sciences courses. IB Diploma and A-Levels: Direct admission is possible if the student has taken certain subjects in the IB or A-levels. One year of bachelor studies in India: Direct admission is possible for the same or similar degree course starting again in year 1. Foundation Year (Studienkolleg): Most students would be eligible for a foundation year in Germany. As it is taught entirely in German and students have to pass an exam at the end of the course, the language requirements are quite high.

German/English Language Proficiency

Research universities - Advanced C1 level required for admission. Universities of Applied Sciences - Intermediate B2 level required for admission. Some universities accept a lower level of proficiency at the time of application and require students to confirm their language proficiency when students enroll at the university. It is recommended to check the website of the university to which language proficiency tests are accepted for admission.

APS Certificate

The APS certificate is required for anyone applying with Indian academic qualifications. The Academic Evaluation Centre will issue a document, the APS certificate, after the successful authentication of the academic documents which is required to obtain a student visa in Germany.