r/gapyear

I’m currently in the inbetween phase where I’m completing my masters, still awaiting grades and looking for jobs. I applied to PhD programmes and got an offer with no funding, seeing as it’s July I know the probability of funding coming up is unlikely so I plan to eventually defer my admission to next year, however, I’m now confused on what I should do when I’m done with my masters. I’m constantly on job sites and I’ve cold emailed academics but nothing has come up yet. I don’t want to have a gap in my CV or any time off my ‘career’ since I know what I want to do. My question is, how do I actually find something worth doing to actually sustain me in terms of living cost and gain experience in a humanities role that leads to my end goal (becoming an academic)?

Hello, I am a student at Cornell University studying communication and am interested in working in the music industry in the future. Due to certain personal issues, I have decided that it is best to stay in the Los Angeles area and take a gap year, re-enrolling at Cornell in my sophomore year. I wanted to know, how could I best make usage of my time here? I want anything that could bring me experience within the music industry. I have a lot of experience working with live music and within studios and I could send anyone a resume if needed.

I'm in a bit of a tough spot and could really use some perspective or advice on my next steps.

Long story short, I was focused on going to university in Europe that I didn't realise the deadlines for USA, got rejected from Europe. By the time I realized I needed to pivot, I had already missed the major application deadlines for the USA for Fall 2026.

Right now, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth rushing to apply for the Spring 2027 semester, or if taking a full gap year to target Fall 2027 is the clearer, smarter option.

Looking for well ranked universities in the US where merit scholarships or financial aid can bring my total budget down to around $30,000 USD per year.

Here is a quick breakdown of my profile:

Academics & Test Scores:

• O-Levels: 1 A*, 7 As, 2 Bs
• A-Levels: A (Maths), A (Physics), B (Computer Science)
• SAT: 1360 (790 Math, 570 English) — willing to give it again in August

Extracurriculars (ECs) & Sports:

• Grade 9: Student Council (Prefect)
• Grade 10 & 11: Student Council (House Captain)
• Grades 9, 10, 11: Part of both the school Football and Cricket teams
• Won multiple gold medals at school Sports Days over the years if that helps
• Part of community service team at Orphanage and an Old age home
• Grade 9: Won best speaker award at annual school debating competition

I have the option of joining FAST FinTech, but I'm not sure if it's the right decision. My end goal is to study law, and I only applied to FAST as a backup after a system error prevented my LUMS application from being properly assessed (the admissions office later told me I likely would've gotten into their Law School). I'm considering taking a gap year to improve my SAT score, intern at a law firm, and strengthen my application. However, I've heard FAST's workload is so intense that transferring or preparing a stronger application while studying there would be difficult. Is joining FAST FinTech for a year just to avoid a gap year worth it, or would taking a well-spent gap year be the better choice?

My son (19) is keen to do a gap year abroad next year. Would be keen to hear any other suggestions from anyone.

Hi. I'm coming to the end of a post-university job application. By September, I should have a job offer, and then I can start in either January or May (with an onboarding event 4-6 weeks before either of those start dates).

This brings me to a decision: do I start in January, and have about 10 weeks travel (mid September to end of November, then the onboarding, maybe a short trip in December, and then start the job) or start in May and have 4-6 months travel (September to mid March, then onboarding in mid/late March and start the job in May)? I'd like to go to Peru and Bolivia, stretching into Chile, Argentina and Ecuador if I have time.

In a travel thread, I assume I'll get a lot of answers saying that I should travel for longer. There is no penalty to delaying my job until May, except that I would be delaying the beginning of my career. I'd have to be stingier, but could see more of the continent. This will be my only opportunity to travel for 4-6 months for (probably) a long time.

But would 6 months actually feel too much? I'm curious to hear whether people think that 2-3 months is actually long enough to get the 'travel hit'. It means I could do the expensive version of things (private rooms, excursions, getting the convenient flight instead of shoestring budget-ing it). And I do feel some temptation to get on with life and start my career. 2-3 months seems a reasonable period for Peru and Bolivia, but probably wouldn't give me time in other countries.

Info:

• I'm an experienced traveller but the longest I've done is 1 month solo travel (in Europe).
• I have about ten thousand pounds saved.
• My job will offer travel opportunities and generous leave, so I will be able to afford to go to these places in the future, but not in blocks of more than 2 weeks. (so eg. if I don't do Patagonia now, I will be able to go back in the future with more money / with friends and family instead of alone. but it would only be a max 2 week trip.)

The novelty here is being away from home for a long time and having a multi-month trip of it. I'd like to be refreshed before starting work; have a great time with amazing scenery / nature / hikes / food / wonders of the world / general fun; and see all the great things in Peru and Bolivia to make the most of this opportunity before starting work.

TLDR: I have two start dates for a job, one in Jan and one in May. Should I travel to Peru and Bolivia for 10 weeks, then start the job, or travel for 4-6 months (more widely in South America), and then start in May?

I’m waiting on my A level results and was going to apply to accounting and finance. I was told by my parents to just get into any course because they just want me in university, I ended up applying 2 weeks ago and got into accounting and finance. However I don’t feel at peace at all. As someone who comes from a family where there is a constant competition between children, I can’t imagine going to a non - RS group uni. I have already started to hear taunts that I am going to aston as I was initially planning on doing accounting and Finance from the University of Birmingham or Durham. Is it worth resitting my A levels if I wanted to get into a Big 4 accounting firm or should I just go to aston in September. Someone help.

Hi, this is my first time using reddit so I don't really know the ettiquette here, so sorry if this is structured weird (also i'm so tired right now so apologies for any grammatical inaccuracies)

Last year I initially applied to university to start in September of 2025 but soon defferred as I had originally wanted to take a gap year, and was struggling with my mental health. I planned to use my gap year to find work and to travel to see my family abroad. I was luckily able to visit my family for quite a few months but unfortunately was only able to find work in the past couple months. I really love my job, I'm currently on a zero hour contract so I don't rack up many hours and I'm usually covering for others but nonetheless it's an enjoyable, easy going job with great people. Now I'm starting to have a change of heart, I've been thinking of deferring for a second year, but after contacting my university they informed me that UCAS only allow one defferal per applicant. Therefore I would have to reject my offer and apply again next year. My fear is that I apply again next year, but don't get accepted, potentially because of an influx of applicants or for whatever other reason. I want to continue working to save money for uni as well as for a plane ticket to see my family again (they live far, so a ticket is over a grand). But also because I don't think I'll be able to find another job I enjoy as much as this (its an independant business and hours away from my uni). So really I'm asking do you think it's worth the risk? Do I continue working the job I love and save money to see the people I love or should I start uni this year and hope I find a job there quickly, I NEED THAT PLANE TICKET (as well as money for essentials as my rent is pricey). Thank you to whoever took the time to read this, I would be so thankful for advice.

I am an international student willing to apply in SMU and due to some personal reasons I can't apply this year and will have to wait till next..BUT! How do I justify my 2 year gap after my High school to the university? Does this weaken my application and is their anny senior who had the same situation and got in or anyone going through same?