What is a gap year?

A gap year is a period of time, typically a year, when students take a break from traditional classroom based education to develop themselves in practical, professional, and personal ways. A gap year is traditionally taken between high school and college, however a gap year can be taken at any time. Some students elect to take a gap year during college, and some choose to take a gap year after college to build practical skills before entering the work force.

What can I do on a gap year?

Many students choose to pursue a variety of experiences during their gap year, including a combination of:

  • Service / Volunteering

  • Career Exploration

  • Paid Work

  • Travel / Adventure

Why consider a gap year?

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Who takes a gap year?

There isn’t one specific type of student who takes a gap year. A gap year can be beneficial for any student who is excited about the opportunity to explore their own interests, develop new skills, and learn more about themselves, their skills, and their future pathway.

Students who frequently take gap years may identify as:

  • High achievers who are burned out

  • Students who want to build their resume and/or explore career or major opportunities before college

  • Experiential Learners, students who find they learn best by doing rather than sitting in a classroom

  • Students who want to develop greater maturity and build confidence before college

Traditional Gap Year opportunities are usually not appropriate for: students requiring regular therapy; students who experienced a recent hospitalization due to a mental health concern (in the last 12 months); students struggling with ongoing, uncontrolled substance abuse or eating disorders; or students with behavioral issues.

 Students embarking on a traditional gap year should be able to: assume responsibility for their own behavior, manage their own self-care independently, and be able to communicate any limitations openly to program providers or support staff.

 
 

How much does a gap year cost?

Families can expect to spend anywhere from 0 - $30,000+ on a gap year. Not every gap year looks the same, so there isn’t a pre-determined cost. Some students manage to end their gap year having earned more than they spent.

There are scholarships, financial aid, service year opportunities, and sliding scale tuition programs to make gap years accessible to students of varying socio-economic backgrounds.

Many students work at home for part of their gap year to help fund travel experiences later on during their gap year. Work exchange and working holiday programs allow students to work and travel abroad on a budget during their gap time. Gap year consultants can help students in vetting volunteer or work exchange programs for safety and quality.

Students don’t need to fill their entire gap year with a $10,000+ per semester “gap year program”. While I spend a great deal of time vetting and learning about different gap year programs, I also research other opportunities (volunteer placements, workshops, short courses, work exchange, language schools etc.) that don’t market themselves as a “gap year program”, but offer a worthwhile and affordable experience appropriate for gap year students.

 
 

Still have questions or interested in brainstorming ideas for a gap year that matches your unique interests?

Schedule a no-obligation introductory call