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Gap Year

Considering a Gap Year?  Taking a gap year is often about clarifying goals before investing heavily in specific college or career choices.  The Gap Year Association can help you determine if a Gap Year is right for you and help you plan an intentional gap year experience. 

Gap year experiences can be great options for:

  • High-achieving students who want time to recharge and pursue passions that lay outside of a traditional classroom.
  • Students who want to explore majors/careers before pursuing a 4-year degree and want to ensure that tuition costs will be well-spent.
  • Students who weren’t accepted into their college(s) of choice.
  • Students who were granted a spring acceptance and now have a semester of time during which they want to do something intentional. 
  • Anyone desiring a deliberate break from a formal educational/career path in order to grow, explore, and clarify future goals.

[https://www.gapyearassociation.org/]

Possible pathways may include the following:

  • AmeriCorps – Put your ideas into action while learning new skills, making new connections, and earning money to pay for college.
  • City Year– An AmeriCorps program that provides services to students and schools to keep students in high school and on track to graduation.
  • Earthwatch– International non-profit organization that brings science to life for people concerned about the Earth’s future.
  • International Studies Abroad – Study abroad programs at accredited schools and universities.
  • National Outdoor Leadership School – Leadership and wilderness education programs.
  • Outward Bound – Experience-based outdoor leadership programs for teens and adults.
  • AFS Intercultural Programs – Non-profit international exchange organization offering GAP year programs.

This list is for general informational purposes only.  Appearance on this list does not constitute an endorsement and descriptions are not exhaustive.