Students who take a gap year tend to be self-motivated, not afraid of taking a risk, and are open to explore their interests to discover their passions.

Read the following scenarios and see if any of them apply to you. If so, you might benefit from a gap year program.

• Not ready for college. Maybe you lack self-confidence or have not clearly defined your interests /career options.
• You have had your fill of classroom learning and want to take a breather so when you start college you are refreshed and ready to give your best.
• You want real life experience that builds your resume and makes you more attractive to future employers.
• Haven’t been accepted to the college of your choice and want to use your gap experience to improve your application and make you more appealing to the school.

Not at all! A gap year can last anywhere from two weeks to 12 months, depending on the student’s goals and interests. When looking for a gap year program, keep in mind how long you would like your experience to last.

Many colleges/universities support and encourage students considering a gap year. They recognize that by taking a productive year out, students enter college with more maturity and self-confidence and better wisdom and experience to handle the upcoming challenges. Many universities now allow accepted students to defer entrance, in order to complete a gap year program.

Even if you know ahead of time that you may want to take a gap year, you should still go through the college application process during your senior year and choose a college. You may then be able to defer admission one year. It’s best to contact the colleges’ admissions office directly to ask them if it is included in any of their written admissions policy.

One of the biggest gap year benefits is career experience. There are lots of gap year programs that give you the chance to practice careers that interest you. You’ll gain important professional experience including meeting people in the field, learning the daily tasks of the profession, and getting an understanding of the workplace culture. Afterwards, students can use their gap year experiences to boost their resumes.

There are many scholarships and grants available for students interested in taking a gap year. Many gap year programs even offer students need-based scholarships and financial aid. Some gap year programs partner with colleges so that students can receive financial aid after completing the FAFSA. When searching for a gap year program, be sure to review the scholarship and financial aid opportunities that they have available.

Gap Year Association and Teen Life, both have a lot of information on taking a gap year and the great programs available.

Be sure to also speak with your BRACE Advisor!