Once only a common occurrence in Europe, embarking on a year-long break, or gap year, before starting college has become almost mainstream in the U.S. Even Malia Obama, daughter of former President Barack Obama, took a year off before attending Harvard University. But now college graduates are increasingly taking a gap year before graduate school. Read on to learn about this growing trend, how college graduates can decide whether a gap year is right for them, the kinds of opportunities out there and the pros and cons of taking a potentially life-changing gap year.