UW

Gap Year

  • A gap year is a break students take after high school before joining universities or colleges. After the rigorous training in high school, some students elect to take time off and explore an experience outside of the traditional school environment. Gap years can take various forms, including formal gap year programs, organized community service projects, work, travel, and more. See 

     

    Gap year programs & fairs:  Fairs are offered in January/February and are a great way to learn about the different types of programs available for semester, year-long, and summer programs.  Learn more here.

     

    For a list of many Gap & Bridge year programs, visit the Gap Year website. Do your homework to learn what is available. Also, check out Gap Year Association and Gap Year Solutions.

     

    Find out How to Ask for (and Get!) and Gap Year Deferral here.

     

    Verto Education:  This program has partnered with some colleges to offer a freshman year abroad.  Students apply to Verto AND a partner university.  Accepted students are guaranteed enrollment for second semester freshman year or first semester sophomore year.  Partner universities include Mills College, Pace U, Depauw U, High Point U, and more!

    City Year City Year was founded in 1988 as a national service program to unite young adults from diverse backgrounds for a demanding year of full-time community service. City Year has grown from 50 corps members in Boston to more than 3,000 members serving in 29 US cities, as well as in South Africa and the UK.  

    Service Year:  An opportunity to develop real-world skills through hands-on service. It’s an extraordinary year that transforms your life and your community. It’s not your typical path; it’s an experience for A Better You. A Greater Us.

    Americorps:  AmeriCorps offers a variety of service opportunities, from the classroom to the outdoors, and everything in between. No matter what you're passionate about, where you're from, or why you choose to serve, AmeriCorps is your chance to be the greater good. 

    BUNAC: Work and travel specialists helping young people connect and engage in opportunities to bring the world closer together.

    Workaway: The leading community for cultural exchange, working holidays, and volunteering in 170 countries.

    The Intern Group:  They are the leading provider of customized global internship programs offering international, domestic and virtual internship programs. Whether you’re looking to stand out from your peers in the competitive job market, make your university application shine or explore a new career field or location, they’ve got you covered.  

    Habitat for Humanity:  For more than 30 years, Habitat has provided alternative school break volunteer opportunities to high school and college students. Since this program began in the late ’80s, more than 260,000 have committed to building safe, affordable homes across the United States through Collegiate Challenge.

     

    Semester Gap Programs:

     

    Adventures Cross-Country: Make friends, develop leadership skills and spend a gap semester in Asia, Africa or Latin America.

    World Endeavors: Choose from international internship, volunteer or study abroad programs around the world.

    EF Gap Year: Prepare to thrive in an ever-changing world on an EF Gap program where you will have experiences such as service-learning, language study, internships, and leadership workshops in up to six countries per semester.

    Pacific Discovery: Offered throughout Asia and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and Central and South America, these programs emphasize leadership development, outdoor and wilderness education, volunteer and service-learning opportunities, and sustainability.

    Art History Abroad: Explore the connections between art, music, literature, history, and philosophy while traveling throughout Italy.

    Carpe Diem Education: Carpe Diem provides three-month and yearlong gap programs focused on community, cultural immersion, service learning, and adventure.

    National Outdoor Leadership School: A leader in outdoor education, NOLS leads students on wilderness expeditions to teach them technical outdoor skills, leadership, and environmental ethics.