Applying and getting in to the right university is a daunting task for college-bound students and their families. It seems like there is an entire industry set up around offering advice as to how to get accepted in the best university, how to make the right choice, and how to fund your college education.

Gwyeth “Smitty” Smith is a guidance counselor from Oyster Bay, New York. Nicknamed “the guidance guru,” Smith has helped thousands of kids discover themselves through the application process. David Marcus, a Newsday reporter who has written extensively on education, has written a new book about Smitty. Acceptance: A Legendary Guidance Counselor Helps Seven Kids Find the Right Colleges – and Find Themselves is published by The Penguin Press.

Smith and Marcus both argue that a transitional "gap year" is becoming increasingly imporant for high school graducates. A "gap" allows them to mature, find out a little about the real world, travel, and have a job. They also say that it is especially a good idea during a recession.

David Marcus spoke with KRCU's Jacob McCleland.

Printer-friendly

E-mail this page to a friend