Why Take a Gap Year?
Reason 1: Democracy needs you.
Reason 2: It will profoundly impact the rest of your life. (in a good way)
Reason 2: It will profoundly impact the rest of your life. (in a good way)
Did you know that in Norway, Denmark and Turkey roughly 50% of students take a gap year between high school and college? The concept of taking time away from formal education to participate in the world with intention has been around for centuries. The gap year concept is exploding in popularity in the US, in part due to the fact more students want to know about themselves and their ambitions before investing in an expensive college degree.
Whatever brought you here, you are intrigued by the idea of taking a gap year, or spending your gap year working toward a cause bigger than yourself.
To you, we say, "Do it." You will not regret the decision to take a gap year.
Want to learn more? Read more below or head over to our student stories section to hear about previous gappers.
Whatever brought you here, you are intrigued by the idea of taking a gap year, or spending your gap year working toward a cause bigger than yourself.
To you, we say, "Do it." You will not regret the decision to take a gap year.
Want to learn more? Read more below or head over to our student stories section to hear about previous gappers.
Gap Year Definition and Benefits
Gap Year (n.) A deliberate period of time taken away from formal education in order to deepen one's personal, practical and professional awareness.
Studies show taking an intentional gap year increases college graduation rates, improves GPAs, increases participation in campus activities, and increases overall career satisfaction. More data here.
Studies show taking an intentional gap year increases college graduation rates, improves GPAs, increases participation in campus activities, and increases overall career satisfaction. More data here.
Data pulled from the Gap Year Association's 2015 National Alumni Survey
Gap Year FAQs
Q. Who takes a gap year?
A. There is no one profile of a gap year student. Any young adult who is curious to experience the world around them as they enter adulthood should consider a gap year.
Q. What do gap year students do?
A. Traditionally, students participate in a combination of activities on their gap year. This can include volunteering, interning, taking enrichment courses, learning a language, traveling, exploring a passion, starting a business and much more. Most gap year students do more than one activity with their year, including structured programs. It can take place in the states, abroad or both.
Q. Is a gap year expensive?
A. It doesn't need to be. Plenty of students self-fund their gap year or find opportunities that offer wages or stipends to offset costs. Most gap year budgets are far lower than college tuition. Almost all of the opportunities mentioned on this website are free or paid.
Q. What do colleges think of the gap year?
A. Colleges tend to think very highly of the gap year option and gap year alumni. Over 300 colleges across the US formally allow students to defer their admission to take a gap year. Some colleges, like Harvard University, Colorado College and Warren Wilson College actively encourage their admitted students to consider a gap year.
Gap year students arrive to (or back to) college more mature, prepared and enthusiastic about learning. Gap year students tend to have more direction in what they want to study and are more engaged on campus. Click here for information on how to defer your admission to take a gap year.
Q. My parents are concerned I won't go to college if I take a gap year. What should I tell them?
A. According to data from the Gap Year Association, 90% of students who take a gap year start or return to college within a year of beginning their gap time. Also, going to college with direction, purpose and focus will make you much more successful when and if you do.
Q. I'm worried about feeling left behind if I take a gap year when my friends are going straight to college.
A. This is a common sentiment among students considering a gap year. Gap Year alumni say that while a gap year has ups and downs like any other experience, it's something they do not regret doing. Read about inspiring students who have taken gap time and what they have to say. You can also listen to the Gap Year Radio podcast for more student perspectives on gap time.
Q. What if I don't want to go to college?
A. Any student can benefit from gap time, especially those who aren't sure about their post-high school path. Taking a gap year can give you powerful insight on what you want to do career-wise and what kind of education you need to achieve your goals. You may learn on your gap time that you actually do want to go to a four-year college or that vocational school, community college or the military is a more appropriate path for you!
Q. If I work on a campaign in the fall, what am I going to do with the rest of my gap year?
A. Some students may choose to take a leave of absence just for the fall to work on the election. If you defer a whole year, then you have a lot of other options to explore and give back! Read through our resource page on ideas for what to do post-election!
A. There is no one profile of a gap year student. Any young adult who is curious to experience the world around them as they enter adulthood should consider a gap year.
Q. What do gap year students do?
A. Traditionally, students participate in a combination of activities on their gap year. This can include volunteering, interning, taking enrichment courses, learning a language, traveling, exploring a passion, starting a business and much more. Most gap year students do more than one activity with their year, including structured programs. It can take place in the states, abroad or both.
Q. Is a gap year expensive?
A. It doesn't need to be. Plenty of students self-fund their gap year or find opportunities that offer wages or stipends to offset costs. Most gap year budgets are far lower than college tuition. Almost all of the opportunities mentioned on this website are free or paid.
Q. What do colleges think of the gap year?
A. Colleges tend to think very highly of the gap year option and gap year alumni. Over 300 colleges across the US formally allow students to defer their admission to take a gap year. Some colleges, like Harvard University, Colorado College and Warren Wilson College actively encourage their admitted students to consider a gap year.
Gap year students arrive to (or back to) college more mature, prepared and enthusiastic about learning. Gap year students tend to have more direction in what they want to study and are more engaged on campus. Click here for information on how to defer your admission to take a gap year.
Q. My parents are concerned I won't go to college if I take a gap year. What should I tell them?
A. According to data from the Gap Year Association, 90% of students who take a gap year start or return to college within a year of beginning their gap time. Also, going to college with direction, purpose and focus will make you much more successful when and if you do.
Q. I'm worried about feeling left behind if I take a gap year when my friends are going straight to college.
A. This is a common sentiment among students considering a gap year. Gap Year alumni say that while a gap year has ups and downs like any other experience, it's something they do not regret doing. Read about inspiring students who have taken gap time and what they have to say. You can also listen to the Gap Year Radio podcast for more student perspectives on gap time.
Q. What if I don't want to go to college?
A. Any student can benefit from gap time, especially those who aren't sure about their post-high school path. Taking a gap year can give you powerful insight on what you want to do career-wise and what kind of education you need to achieve your goals. You may learn on your gap time that you actually do want to go to a four-year college or that vocational school, community college or the military is a more appropriate path for you!
Q. If I work on a campaign in the fall, what am I going to do with the rest of my gap year?
A. Some students may choose to take a leave of absence just for the fall to work on the election. If you defer a whole year, then you have a lot of other options to explore and give back! Read through our resource page on ideas for what to do post-election!