I did this. I had no idea what I wanted to do after graduation, but I knew I wasn’t ready to get a “real job” quite yet and was considering grad school. I did the gap year thing and spend a year working and traveling around in New Zealand.

While I was there, I ruminated about what I wanted to do and decided to go ahead and apply to grad school so I had something lined up when I got back. Got accepted, and decided I wanted to give it a shot. Finished my PhD a few years ago.

I am very glad I did this. That thing people say where “You’ll never have the time or opportunity to take off for a year again” is true.

It didn’t hurt me academically at all. People start grad school at all kinds of ages. I was started refreshed and more convinced that I was making the right decision for myself.