Office Hours: Will Boom Supersonic Planes Live Up to the Hype? Buying Amazon Stock and Taking a Gap Year Before College

Benefits

Taking a gap year before college offers both benefits and challenges. Scott Galloway highlights the developmental differences between young men and women, noting that an 18-year-old male's prefrontal cortex is akin to that of a 16 or 17-year-old female, which can impact academic performance and emotional stability 1. He shares personal insights, explaining how societal trends now favor holding boys back a year to enhance their confidence and reduce future depression risks.

I think red shirting for a year, as Richard Reeves refers to it, is a really good idea.

--- Scott Galloway

Galloway advises having a structured plan for the gap year, such as engaging in volunteer work or national service, to make the time productive and appealing to universities 1.

   

Perspectives

Societal perspectives on gap years are increasingly positive, with many educational institutions supporting the idea. Scott Galloway notes that most universities, including NYU, are open to students taking a gap year, recognizing its potential benefits 1. He emphasizes that a gap year can enhance a student's eligibility for college by demonstrating maturity and initiative through structured activities.

The majority of kids who are planning to go to college and take a gap year still end up going back to college.

--- Scott Galloway

Galloway suggests that national service could provide a framework for gap years, helping students balance productivity with personal growth and making them more attractive to admissions directors 1.