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Some students are either unsure of what they want to do or just need a break to regroup after high school. Many in this situation benefit by taking a gap year. A gap year is typically a year-long break before or after college during which students engage in various educational and developmental activities, such as travel or some type of work like internships, paid jobs or community service. Most colleges look favorably on these experiences as they give students time to emotionally recharge and mature and start to focus on their personal and professional goals. Gap programs can be very structured and supervised by an organization that specializes in these programs, they can be an academic, travel or work based program, or it can be a self-designed and directed experience. If it’s done correctly, a gap year can be a life changing experience.
Co-Sponsored, Warde and Ludlowe offer a GAP Year Fair every January.
Gap Year Panel: February 10, 2022 (click image below to watch the video)
ARTICLES/INFO:
Why Taking a Gap Year Could Be a Senior’s Best Decision by Amy Trinnaman, Road2College, March 23, 2021
Here’s Every Reason You Should Take a Gap Year Before College by Robert Farrington, Forbes Magazine, June 10, 2019
Should You Take a Gap Year? by Mikael Mulugeta, BestColleges.com, June 4, 2020
Gap Year May Have Benefits Long After College by KJ Dell’Antonia, NY Times, April 19, 2016
Taking a Gap Year NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling )
Your Goals, Your Life, Your Gap Year by Jane & Jason Sarouhan - The Center for Interim Programs, CollegeXpress, February 4, 2014
RESOURCES:
Guide to Gap Year Programs 2022 by Teenlife, Fall 2021
Gap Year Program Summary 2021-22 A running list of gap programs including links, brief descriptions and contact info compiled by the FWHS & FLHS CCC.
Post-Grad Programs Academic program details and links compiled by the FWHS & FLHS CCC.
WEBSITES:
Articles about gap year and information about gap programs. Free access to a list of nearly 300 gap year programs.
This gap year accrediting organization provides resources to help students plan a successful and structured gap year. Excellent tools for helping students decide plus list of programs.
This site from Thinking Beyond Borders and Dynamy Internship Year provides articles, a directory of gap year programs and a list of 30 national gap year fairs.
Your Planning Guide to the Ultimate GapYear
Compiled by former “gappers”, this site covers everything students need to know about planning a gap year. Excellent guidebook, list of programs, etc.
A large, British site (where gap years are very popular) about time-off options. Gap-year advice, tips, information and reference tools.
A guide to volunteer opportunities for free travel.
BOOKS:
The Gap-Year Advantage, Helping your Child Benefit from Time Off Before or During College. Karl Haigler and Rae elson. St. Martin’s Griffin Publishing.
Provides parents with all the advice, tips and information they need to help students develop and implement a gap-year strategy.
Now What? How a Gap Year of International Internships Prepared Me for College, Career, and Life, by Monika Lutz. www.MonikaLutz.com
The author’s personal journey to deciding and finding gap experiences through internships.
The Complete Guide to the Gap Year, the Best Things to Do Between High School and College, by Kristin M. White. Jossey-Bass Publishing.
Why and how to take a gap year.
Planning Your Gap Year, Hundreds of Opportunities for Employment, Study, Volunteer Work and Independent Travel, by Nick Vandome. Howtobooks.
How to research, plan, choose, organize and pack for your gap year.
Your Gap Year, The Most Comprehensive Guide to an Exciting and Fulfilling Gap Year by Susan Griffith. Crimson Publishing.
Planning your gap year. Geographic guide and listing of programs by interest.
The Big Trip, Your Ultimate Guide to Gap Years and Overseas Adventures by Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet Publications.
Pre-trip planning; volunteering and working abroad; tips from travelers and experts; directory of resources.
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