In Britain and other countries, young people sometimes take a “gap year”£¬ a year off between high school and college. This idea never gained a big following in America. Recent news reports have suggested that interest may be growing, though there are no official numbers.

Charles Deacon, dean of Admissions at Georgetown University in Washington D£®C., estimates that in the current first£­year class of 1,600 students, only about 25 decided to take a year off. He says this number hasn’t changed much over the years.

Mr. Deacon says the most common reason for taking a “gap year” is to have a chance to travel, but he says international students may take a “gap year” to meet requirements at home for military duty.

Some high school graduates see a year off as a chance to recover after twelve years of required education, but it can also give students a chance to explore their interests. Students hoping to be doctors, for example, could learn about the profession by volunteering in a hospital.