Five-Year Plan.

• Author: Lewin, Tamar
• Position: Getting into a top college - Brief Article

Last spring, Geoff Blumenfeld completed all his studies at Granite Bay High School, outside Sacramento, and went through graduation. So what will he be doing this fall? Why, taking yet another year of high school, this time at a private Massachusetts boarding school.

Blumenfeld is one of an increasing number of seniors choosing a postgraduate year of high school. As competition has increased for admission to top colleges, more students have tried to improve their chances by taking on an extra year of study, usually at a prep school.

For some, it's a chance to concentrate on...