Gap Year
A gap semester or year might offer a valuable shift in perspective and paradigms for students to explore the world outside of an academic structure. If you are planning to apply to attend university after a gap year, it's important to know that gap years are viewed differently by universities in different parts of the world. Given our academic calendar, it may be that you have a default gap period before you begin studies in countries such as Australia, South Korea, or Japan. Work with your counselor to plan your gap year and applications before graduation.
UK: Gap years are well understood. You can indicate that you are planning to take a gap year on UCAS, and receive offers one year in advance for many courses. Apply during senior year, and know that you have a university destination waiting for you
Europe: Gap years are well understood. Generally students should apply during their gap year for the academic year that you intend to begin your studies.
USA: Students should inquire with individual universities before beginning the application process. Some public universities may not offer deferred admission, and will instead ask you to apply for the year you intend to begin your studies. Private universities are more likely to allow you to defer admission for a year. However, any university that allows you to defer admission for a year will want you to write an explanatory letter about what you intend to do during your gap year before they grant permission. Additionally, financial aid packages may not be maintained alongside the offer of admission, so it's important to clarify this information with each university
Gap year activities could include work or internships, local service projects, non-credit online courses, or other options. The best gap years are planned gap years. Here are some helpful resources!
MaiaLearning - log in, and on the lefthand panel, click on "Enrichment," to search for gap year programs
Adventure Cross Country - educational and cultural programs around the world
Art History Abroad - summer, semester and gap year courses on Italian art
Baret Scholars Global Gap Year - year long world exploration gap year opportunity
Backpacker Advice: Information and tips for people backpacking around the world.
CET Academic Programs - global programs with opportunity to build meaningful relationships
Council on International Education Exchange - improve fluency in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese or Arabic
Do-it: UK volunteering search engine.
The School for Field Studies - develop practical skills through hands-on, experiential learning while exploring incredible ecosystems
Gap FORCE - programs with a focus on the outdoors, adventure, volunteering and marine conservation
Gap Year Association - providers, planning guides, info about gap year to college
Gap Years, Volunteering Overseas and Adventure Travelling: Advice on traveling and working abroad.
Global Citizen Year - programs with a focus on leadership and global issues
Global Gap Year Fellowship (UNC Chapel Hill) - highly selective $8000 stipend given to students admitted EA to UNC for the purpose of gap year travel
Map The Gap International - immersive community service and learning programs
Middlebury Gap Semester - Middlebury regularly admits students for February admission post-gap semester
National Parks Service (US) Youth & Young Adult Programs - work in a National Park!!!
Novogratz Bridge Year Program - nine-month tuition-free program for newly admitted Princeton undergraduates
One World 365: meaningful travel search engine
Prospects: gap year search engine
Rustic Pathways College Options - transformative student travel experiences
Semester at Sea - a study abroad program on a ship offered in conjunction with Colorado State University
The Great Himalayan Traverse: a 100-day semester in the Himalayas, earning 9 college credits
The School of the New York Times - designed for anyone ages 18–21 who is deferring college or taking time off to pause, think and reflect.
The Year in Industry (eTrust): Paid placements to gain professional development in industry.
Tufts 1+4 Bridge Year - Tufts Civic Semester combines academic coursework with experiential learning to provide a transformational first-semester focused on community engagement and social justice, based in either Urubamba, Peru or the Southwestern United States.
Verto Education: earn college credit while traveling, staying on track to graduate in four years at 70+ partner colleges
Where There Be Dragons - immersive and responsible travel
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) - a worldwide movement to link visitors with organic farmers, promote a cultural and educational exchange, and build a global community conscious of ecological farming and sustainability practices.