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GAP Year, Military,Trade School or College?
GAP Year, Military,Trade School or College?
Gap Year Solutions and Duke University
Gap Year Solutions and Duke University
Recently, our Founder Katherine participated in a Gap Year panel for admitted Duke University students. In her comments to the students, and blog posted afterward, Katherine reflected on some learnings from the last ten years:
Full agreement with Duke's point that outside of a gap year, “there are few opportunities in life to take a meaningful amount of time to pause, reflect, and explore”
All students admitted to selective universities are capable of handling the rigorous academics. But are they ready to balance and succeed at all the non-academic aspects of campus life?
Some students simply need a break between high school and college - often, they're just burned out and need to recharge, or want to spend time exploring new interests, cultures and destinations
Don't all of us want to become more confident decision makers? (And wouldn't we all have wanted to enter our first year of college with just a bit more swing in our step??)
We love the Duke Gap Year Program, and are super impressed with everything that the school does to promote it to admitted students. You can read Katherine's full post here.
Summer Program for Emerging Leaders
At Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, we’ve launched the Pre-College Leadership Development Program. We built this specifically to address the "readiness gap" we see in high-achieving students—helping them transition from being great students to being influential, empathetic leaders.
Why this program is different: In this four-week experience, we don’t just lecture. Students work directly with CMU faculty to master the "human skills" that actually move the needle in college admissions and future careers: ethical decision-making, impactful public speaking, and collaborative team dynamics.
Summer Program for Emerging Leaders
At Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, we’ve launched the Pre-College Leadership Development Program. We built this specifically to address the "readiness gap" we see in high-achieving students—helping them transition from being great students to being influential, empathetic leaders.
Why this program is different: In this four-week experience, we don’t just lecture. Students work directly with CMU faculty to master the "human skills" that actually move the needle in college admissions and future careers: ethical decision-making, impactful public speaking, and collaborative team dynamics.
The Essentials:
The Deadline: Applications must be submitted by March 1.
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors during the summer of 2026 (must be 16 by June 20, 2026).
Current Availability: We are currently accepting domestic, non-scholarship applications. Please note: The scholarship and international application windows closed on February 1.
If you have a student in mind who is looking for that "extra edge," please feel free to share my contact information with them. I am also happy to hop on a quick call if you have questions about whether a specific student is a right fit. You can reach me directly at rjafry@andrew.cmu.edu.
Warm regards,
Professor Rubab Jafry O'Connor
Program Director of Pre-College Leadership Development
Tepper School of Business
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Programs
Carnegie Mellon University | 4700 Fifth Ave. | Pitts
Badger Precollege high school programs
Badger Precollege high school programs
Here's an overview of our programs for summer 2026 — check out program pages for full details and course topics.
Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) | June 28–July 17 | Residential or commuter
An intense, research-focused program designed to push students to the next academic level in an intimate learning environment. Students enroll in a single course for an in-depth experience, with numerous opportunities to connect with instructors and build community and with peers.
Wisconsin International Precollege Academy | June 27–July 17 | Residential
An experiential learning opportunity in higher education for international students. The program offers interactive workshops and presentations along with excursions and community outreach activities that sample the culture, traditions and values of the Midwest. Note: The WIPA experience will be offered as a track in the ALP program in 2026.
Badger Summer Scholars | July 19–31 | Residential or commuter
A college-level seminar in the subject of the student's choice, taught by UW–Madison instructors. Students participate in Jump Forward, a workshop series on preparing for college, including the admissions process, navigating college, career exploration and more.
Summer Arts Clinic | July 12–18 | Residential or commuter
A creative intensive exploring dance, theatre and drama, visual arts, and/or fashion design and textiles. Choose multiple courses for variety or focus on a single topic. Featuring both small- and large-group instruction, this is an excellent opportunity to learn from experienced educators and professionals while developing artistic skills and collaborating with peers.
Summer Music Clinic: Senior Session | June 28– July 4 | Residential or commuter
This music intensive is open to music enthusiasts of all levels — no performance experience necessary! Students learn about and make music in a community of like-minded artists, selecting from a variety of courses to create their own experience.
Campus Visits
Visiting campus and connecting with our staff is one of the best ways for your students to learn if Mines is the right place for them. And, this year, Mines has significantly increased opportunities for your students to visit.
Encourage your students to register for a visit here.
Pre-College & Summer Camps
Pre-College & Summer Camps
Scholarship Application Deadline: January 30
The deadline to submit a RISD Pre-College scholarship application is fast approaching! Each year, a limited number of scholarships are awarded to those applicants able to demonstrate all of the following:
significant financial need
passion and dedication to art and design
commitment to the program and the grit to succeed
United States citizenship or permanent resident status
Scholarship application deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026 at 5 pm ET
Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified by email of the outcome of the scholarship review by February 20. If you plan to attend despite the scholarship outcome, we suggest you apply through the regular application and forgo the request for a scholarship. Scholarship applications aren’t reviewed prior to the scholarship application deadline; if you aren’t awarded a scholarship, your spot may be filled before you’re able to re-apply as a non-scholarship student.
Pre-College Online Scholarships
Partial scholarships for Pre-College Online may also be available to students who demonstrate significant financial need. Scholarship awards are limited and the amounts vary based on the quantity of qualified applications received. The deadline to apply for a Pre-College Online scholarship is February 2.
We're here to help! If you have any questions about the application process, contact RISD Pre-College staff at 401 454-6200 (+1-800-364-7473, Ext. 2 for international) or email precollege@risd.edu.
Colorado Technical and Trade Schools
Colorado Technical and Trade Schools
Shown below are 25 schools with tech programs offered at 26 locations in 18 Colorado cities leading to technical certificates or associates degrees.
Tech Schools in Colorado
Shown below are 25 schools with tech programs offered at 26 locations in 18 Colorado cities leading to technical certificates or associates degrees.
Aims Community College - Greeley, CO
Arapahoe Community College - Littleton, CO
Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology - Denver, CO
Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Media School - Denver, CO
Colorado Mesa University - Grand Junction, CO
Colorado Mountain College - Glenwood Springs, CO
Colorado Northwestern Community College - Rangely, CO
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, CO
Community College of Denver - Denver, CO
Emily Griffith Technical College - Denver, CO
Fort Lewis College - Durango, CO
IBMC College - Fort Collins, CO
Intellitec College-Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction, CO
Lincoln College of Technology-Denver - Denver, CO
Metropolitan State University of Denver - Denver, CO
Northeastern Junior College - Sterling, CO
Otero College - La Junta, CO
Pickens Technical College - Aurora, CO
Pueblo Community College - Pueblo, CO
Red Rocks Community College - Lakewood, CO
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology - Broomfield, CO
Technical College of the Rockies - Delta, CO
Trinidad State College - Trinidad, CO
Western Colorado University - Gunnison, CO
Post Secondary Resources
Post Secondary Resources
Our Bridge to Bachelor’s Degree Program guarantees that new, first-time students attending any CCCS College will be admitted to a participating four-year college or university once they complete their Associate degree.
Our Bridge to Bachelor’s Degree Program guarantees that new, first-time students attending any CCCS College will be admitted to a participating four-year college or university once they complete their Associate degree.
Benefits to Students
Benefits to Students
CCCS students who participate in the Bridge to Bachelor’s Degree program will have access to:
CCCS students who participate in the Bridge to Bachelor’s Degree program will have access to:
Personalized student advising and guidance to ensure credits and administrative supports are in place to easily transfer to a desired four-year program.
Scholarship opportunities to make degrees from a four-year institution more attainable and affordable.
A no-hassle transfer process between participating two-year and four-year programs, ensuring a smooth transition.
The College Opportunity Fund (COF), created by the Colorado Legislature, provides a stipend to eligible undergraduate students. The stipend pays a portion of the total in-state tuition when attending a participating college.
Eligible undergraduate students must apply, be admitted and enroll in classes at a participating college to receive this benefit. Both new and continuing students are eligible for the stipend.
Qualifying students may use the stipend for eligible undergraduate classes. The stipend is paid on a per credit hour basis directly to the college at which the student is enrolled. The credit-hour amount is set annually by the General Assembly.
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.
You must apply for aid every year, but with the right information in hand, it's easy.
Who should complete the FAFSA® form?
Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs. This includes grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.
Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs. This includes grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.
College Application Resources
College Application Resources
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