Gap Year
If you are not already familiar with the term, a 'gap year' has become known in our culture as the year between high school graduation and the first year of college. More and more students are taking that year off to do something other than just jumping from high school senior to first year college student. Volunteering, working, traveling, doing research..... the 'gap year' experience generally refers to going some place and doing something, but it doesn't have to. Staying at home and working, volunteering, participating in a religious mission experience, doing a local internship or, more likely, some combination of these......can all be 'gap year' experiences. A 'gap year' is a time to grow, learn a little bit more about yourself and consider your educational directions and possibilities.
But, there's some controversy around the concept since it may require an additional year of support from parents.....which suggests to some that the 'gap year' is an experience just for students who can afford it. But, with more and more students doing it every year, don't let finances get in your way of considering the idea - some of the places listed here offer stipends and/or housing accommodations, even educational awards that can be applied toward college tuition. Work is always an option and you may find some very creative ideas to get you through the year!! Whatever your circumstances, taking a gap year will require a lot of research and even more planning to make the year worthwhile because whatever else you don't want to do is waste the year wondering what to do. In addition, if you are a high school senior applying for college, check with each institution in which you are interested to find out what their policies are regarding taking a 'gap year'. Many colleges will defer admission but that, in turn, may have some impact on scholarships.
Although a 'gap year' is not for everyone, if you are even the slightest bit interested, it's worth giving some thought, time and research to learn more. The text book for our class - 'College Admission,,,' covers the subject a little bit on pages 313-314. Here are some other resources to help you think about whether taking a 'gap year' is for you: (the list of sites here is only the tip of the iceberg...google in 'gap year' and several hundred, maybe thousands of sites will come up in your search)
But, there's some controversy around the concept since it may require an additional year of support from parents.....which suggests to some that the 'gap year' is an experience just for students who can afford it. But, with more and more students doing it every year, don't let finances get in your way of considering the idea - some of the places listed here offer stipends and/or housing accommodations, even educational awards that can be applied toward college tuition. Work is always an option and you may find some very creative ideas to get you through the year!! Whatever your circumstances, taking a gap year will require a lot of research and even more planning to make the year worthwhile because whatever else you don't want to do is waste the year wondering what to do. In addition, if you are a high school senior applying for college, check with each institution in which you are interested to find out what their policies are regarding taking a 'gap year'. Many colleges will defer admission but that, in turn, may have some impact on scholarships.
Although a 'gap year' is not for everyone, if you are even the slightest bit interested, it's worth giving some thought, time and research to learn more. The text book for our class - 'College Admission,,,' covers the subject a little bit on pages 313-314. Here are some other resources to help you think about whether taking a 'gap year' is for you: (the list of sites here is only the tip of the iceberg...google in 'gap year' and several hundred, maybe thousands of sites will come up in your search)
Why Taking a 'Gap Year' Should be the New College Admissions Requirement - an article that discusses the concept of the 'gap year'
Study Abroad sites:
GapYear - the "Global Work and Travel Company"
CIEE Gap Year Program - study abroad just for gappers!
AFS Gap Year Abroad - another study abroad for gappers.
U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange Programs - study abroad exchange programs
Ethical Volunteering - advice and information on international volunteering
Volunteer South America - opportunities for free and low-cost volunteering opportunities in South America
Global Volunteers, Where there be dragons - both great serve and travel opportunities but there are some rather steep costs associated with them.
Learn and Serve Sites
Americorps - places young adults into intensive service positions where they learn work skills, earn money for education, and develop an appreciation for citizenship.
National Civilian Community Corps - an off-shoot of Americorps except: they only accept 1,200 applicants a year, it is a residential program, and all of the participants are 18 - 24 years old; about a third of the participants are doing a 'gap year'.
CityYear "Give a year. Change the world." Be part of their plan to reach off-track students in the cities they serve, and help them reach 10th grade on track and on time
National Security Language Institute, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides full, merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to learn less commonly taught languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs.
Student Conservation Corps - offers 3 to 12-month internships for those 18 - 21 yrs old; partners with Americorps to provide stipends and educational awards
Other
Gap Year Fair - The USA Gap Year Fairs website offers a listing of a variety of different Gap Year programs.
The Complete Guide to the Gap Year - The Best Things to Do between High School and College - a book by Kristin M. White but also has a companion website. The book lists LOTS of gap year possibilities and ideas on how to finance your gap year! (I recently bought this book and will make sure it is available to SJS students.-AHB)
GapYear - the "Global Work and Travel Company"
CIEE Gap Year Program - study abroad just for gappers!
AFS Gap Year Abroad - another study abroad for gappers.
U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange Programs - study abroad exchange programs
Ethical Volunteering - advice and information on international volunteering
Volunteer South America - opportunities for free and low-cost volunteering opportunities in South America
Global Volunteers, Where there be dragons - both great serve and travel opportunities but there are some rather steep costs associated with them.
Learn and Serve Sites
Americorps - places young adults into intensive service positions where they learn work skills, earn money for education, and develop an appreciation for citizenship.
National Civilian Community Corps - an off-shoot of Americorps except: they only accept 1,200 applicants a year, it is a residential program, and all of the participants are 18 - 24 years old; about a third of the participants are doing a 'gap year'.
CityYear "Give a year. Change the world." Be part of their plan to reach off-track students in the cities they serve, and help them reach 10th grade on track and on time
National Security Language Institute, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides full, merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to learn less commonly taught languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs.
Student Conservation Corps - offers 3 to 12-month internships for those 18 - 21 yrs old; partners with Americorps to provide stipends and educational awards
Other
Gap Year Fair - The USA Gap Year Fairs website offers a listing of a variety of different Gap Year programs.
The Complete Guide to the Gap Year - The Best Things to Do between High School and College - a book by Kristin M. White but also has a companion website. The book lists LOTS of gap year possibilities and ideas on how to finance your gap year! (I recently bought this book and will make sure it is available to SJS students.-AHB)
Create your own Gap Year experience!!!!.
Contact local non-profit agencies to find out about internships or long-term volunteer opportunities - Habitat for Humanity, the local animal shelter, parks and recreation departments, child care agencies (Head Start), faith based community service projects (ex: soup kitchens and thrift shops). These don't necessarily have to be full-time to be valuable but they should show consistency and commitment. If you want experience in a specific career area, contact businesses or agencies that might be able to provide that kind of experience - writing? the local newspaper; agriculture? vineyards; the hospitality industry? hotels and restaurants; business? the local Chamber of Commerce and downtown association; working with kids? schools, parks and rec departments, child care centers; event planning? any organization that has a big event every year (in McMinnville, the IPNC or SIP, for example).....talk, talk, talk to everyone to uncover experiences and opportunities and be prepared to talk about yourself, what you'd like to do, why you'd like to do it and what you could bring to the experience. Be specific about why you want to take a 'gap year'!
Contact local non-profit agencies to find out about internships or long-term volunteer opportunities - Habitat for Humanity, the local animal shelter, parks and recreation departments, child care agencies (Head Start), faith based community service projects (ex: soup kitchens and thrift shops). These don't necessarily have to be full-time to be valuable but they should show consistency and commitment. If you want experience in a specific career area, contact businesses or agencies that might be able to provide that kind of experience - writing? the local newspaper; agriculture? vineyards; the hospitality industry? hotels and restaurants; business? the local Chamber of Commerce and downtown association; working with kids? schools, parks and rec departments, child care centers; event planning? any organization that has a big event every year (in McMinnville, the IPNC or SIP, for example).....talk, talk, talk to everyone to uncover experiences and opportunities and be prepared to talk about yourself, what you'd like to do, why you'd like to do it and what you could bring to the experience. Be specific about why you want to take a 'gap year'!