President Barack Obama and his daughter Malia.
(AP Photo)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A year off between high school and college is becoming a popular choice for U.S. students and it has caught the eye of President Barack Obama’s daughter, Malia. The White House says the high school senior will enter Harvard in 2017, not later this year as had been widely expected.
The elder of Obama’s two daughters is a 17-year-old senior at the exclusive Sidwell Friends school in the District of Columbia. She graduates in June.
Harvard encourages admitted students to defer for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work or spend time in other meaningful ways.
The Oregon-based American Gap Association says so-called gap years are more common in Europe and Australia.
But a growing number of “gap year” programs suggest increasing popularity in the U.S.
Malia visited at least a dozen public and private colleges before settling on Harvard, where both her parents earned law degrees.
No word yet on what Malia will do with her gap year, but it does afford her the luxury of entering college after her father has left the White House and without Secret Service people trailing her to class.
The First Family is expected to spend their final summer vacation in the White House on Martha’s Vineyard.
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