Gap year 

Supporting students taking a gap year

Each year, many of our students choose to take a gap year following their SAIS graduation. There are many different reasons behind why a student may choose to take a gap year, and many different ways in which our students spend their time during it! 

SAIS encourages students to consider taking a gap year as this can be highly beneficial. The most beneficial gap years help students to learn, grow and reflect. Students can explore and investigate their potential future major (subject) for university study through short courses, possibly gain some work experience to help consider their future career directions, or travel and experience the world. In some cases, students use their gap year to give back - engaging in service-based opportunities and volunteering experiences. Students can further demonstrate their commitment to caring for others, develop their resilience in a 'real world' setting, and take on more ownership and responsibility for their choices. 

We continue to support our graduates with university applications during their gap year, and remain available to our students following this particular path until they ultimately enrol at their chosen university, or take up employment and begin their careers.

Further resources:

1. NACAC (USA) - taking a gap year

2. UCAS (UK) - information on gap years

3. Prospects (UK) - information on considering a gap year

4. U of Cambridge (UK) - how their university views gap years

5. U of Sydney (Australia) - how their university views gap years

6. U of Queensland (Australia) - how their university views gap years

7. U of Oregon (USA) - how their university views gap years

8. EU Business School (Europe) - how their university views gap years

9. Gap Year Association

10. Some US universities even offer a dedicated gap year 'program', to provide students with a structured gap year experience - for example, American University (note: open to US citizens only)