Taking a Gap Year during the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Valarie R. Austin, April 13th, 2021, 11:20 AM EDT
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the ways that students learn. During the height of the pandemic lock-down, teachers taught students through distance learning instead of face-to-face. Many high school students experienced burnout and restlessness from online academic learning. As result, some high school seniors are considering a gap year in order to take a break from the chaos of the past academic year. A gap year is when a high school graduate does not immediately attend a post-secondary school. Instead of going to school to learn about a subject, students take time to learn about themselves and a career they would like to pursue. With increasing self-awareness, numerous students use a gap or “bridge” year to build a resume from life experiences. The gap year can be a semester or a year in duration. Students can independently craft their gap year experience. They can also participate in an accredited gap year program, which operates in a more structured form. For instance, some colleges sponsor their own gap year programs or partner with a gap year organization. A Google search also showcases an independent “gap year industry” of different programs of varying lengths and costs. For instance, GoAbroad.com lists several gap year programs such as Projects Abroad and Pacific Discovery (http://bit.ly/GoAbroad_independentprograms). Also, volunteer websites, including Volunteermatch.org and Idealist.org, highlight volunteer opportunities that can be tailored into a gap year. Since there are so many variables, an individual’s decision to take a gap year must be deliberate. With planning and financial preparation, a gap year can offer an excellent return on investment for the student.
Numerous students use their gap year to mature and grow, save money for college, travel, work, volunteer, study, improve ACT/SAT scores, or intern. The gap year is a recent concept in the United States. Students in Europe have taken advantage of gap years for decades. A 2013 GoOverseas.com article cited over 5% of United Kingdom students who were accepted into universities deferred admission for one year in 2012 versus 1.2% of first time college freshmen who deferred admission in the United States for a gap year in 2011 (http://bit.ly/GoOverseas_blog). The article linked American students’ reluctance to take gap years to several factors: 1) pressure to attend college after high school and 2) anxiety that a gap year contradicts the American Work Ethic to attend college, graduate and then work until retirement. In addition, Americans are less likely to travel to international destinations compared to Europeans. In spite of these reasons, participation in the U.S. may be low because many students may lack information about the gap year model.
If considering a gap year, the high school student with parental monitoring must research and make a plan. A gap year is a chance to explore life and interests. A gap year, however, is not an extended Spring Break. Some gap year programs emphasize work experience and life skills, in particular, punctuality, teamwork and problem-solving, which are attractive to employers. Therefore, the student should have specific goals and a purpose for the gap year.
Gap Year’s Purpose
In developing a plan for a gap year, a student should answer the following questions:
1) What are you going to do?
2) How will the experience enrich your life?
3) Will you apply for internships or volunteer opportunities for personal growth or career experience?
4) Are you interested in an independent gap year program or one sponsored by your college(s) of interest?
5) What are the application and deadline requirements for sponsored programs?
6) Are gap year counselor(s)/advisor(s) and former program alum available for you to interview?
7) Are you willing to travel for an international or domestic program?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, backpacking across Europe or South American may not be an ideal gap year plan this year. Still, local and domestic travel opportunities may be options. Sit down and write-out what you hope to gain from a gap year. Have a parent, teacher, or mentor review the plan and provide feedback to ensure everything is considered.
The College(s) of Interest’s Gap Year Policy
Some colleges encourage students’ participation in gap year programs. During your research, a good question to ask the admission office at your college(s) of interest is about their gap year policy and deadlines. Prior to approving a gap year, some colleges require high school seniors to apply for admission and financial aid, by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The applying student should also ask if housing and awarded scholarships will still be available when the student starts college; if the gap year is eligible for college credit; and whether a tuition deposit is required. The college may require the applicant to submit a gap year plan. If the college approves the plan, it will place the future college freshman in a deferred status. At the conclusion of the gap year, the student will start college in the next suitable academic session. In addition, many colleges sponsor in-house gap year programs. These official programs are structured and have defined learning modules. You should ask if your college(s) of interest have a gap year program and the application process. In contrast, some colleges do not recognize gap years and will require students to apply for admission after completing their gap year. With all college(s) of interest, students should verify if taking classes at another college during the gap year will have any negative repercussions such as changing their status from a freshman to a transfer student. An important step in gap year planning is to contact your college(s) of interest admissions office to address any issues or concerns.
Housing and Living Expenses
Gap year participants will require money for living expenses that include food, housing, and transportation. Some formal gap year programs offer scholarships that pay for living expenses and healthcare benefits. For available scholarships, research is required to complete applications by the filing deadlines and learn about scholarship amounts. If the scholarship amounts do not cover all expenses, other options are required to cover the shortfall in funding. As of March 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted the unemployment rate for youth 16 to 19 years old was 13% (http://bit.ly/bls_teenunemployment). If working is a condition to support your gap year expenses then it must be included in the planning. Think about what job opportunities are available to you based upon your experience, skills and abilities. Will you be living independently from your parents or continue to live with them? Again, planning for housing and living expenses are a major part of making the gap year operate smoothly.
Parental/Guardian Support
If you plan to live with your parents or request financial assistance during your gap year, you will need their support. It is important to discuss with your parents a well-developed plan that includes financing the gap year. Parents/guardians will want to know the pros and cons of a gap year program. First generation and low-income students may want to emphasize the benefits of a gap year program in increasing readiness for post-secondary education and employment. WallStreetJournal.com statistics stated 90% of students returned to college within a year after taking a gap year (http://online.wsj.com). Also, a GapYearAssociation.org study reported gap year respondents who enrolled in college and graduated “had, on average, shorter times to graduation and higher GPAs as compared to national norms” (http://bit.ly/GYA_gapyearstudy). The respondents also stated an 86% satisfaction rate with their jobs. The results from this study concluded that students who participated in enriching gap year programs benefited in on-time graduations and job satisfaction.
Options and Benefits
Taking a gap year is an individual student’s decision. If high school students know their career direction, then going from high school to college may be the best option. However, it is not the only option to reach career goals. Instead of attending college immediately, the gap year provides students a breather to assess the direction of their lives. They can volunteer, work to save money to attend college, travel, or learn a different language. Gap year benefits extend across social, economic, career and academic areas of a student’s life. A planned gap year with a defined purpose can give a lifetime of experiences and personal growth to a young person. A gap year can be a great return on investment.
The Student's Comprehensive Guide For College & Other Life Lessons
La Guía Comprensiva del Estudiante para la Universidad & Otras Lecciones de Vida
(Previously Published on LinkedIn)
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the ways that students learn. During the height of the pandemic lock-down, teachers taught students through distance learning instead of face-to-face. Many high school students experienced burnout and restlessness from online academic learning. As result, some high school seniors are considering a gap year in order to take a break from the chaos of the past academic year. A gap year is when a high school graduate does not immediately attend a post-secondary school. Instead of going to school to learn about a subject, students take time to learn about themselves and a career they would like to pursue. With increasing self-awareness, numerous students use a gap or “bridge” year to build a resume from life experiences. The gap year can be a semester or a year in duration. Students can independently craft their gap year experience. They can also participate in an accredited gap year program, which operates in a more structured form. For instance, some colleges sponsor their own gap year programs or partner with a gap year organization. A Google search also showcases an independent “gap year industry” of different programs of varying lengths and costs. For instance, GoAbroad.com lists several gap year programs such as Projects Abroad and Pacific Discovery (http://bit.ly/GoAbroad_independentprograms). Also, volunteer websites, including Volunteermatch.org and Idealist.org, highlight volunteer opportunities that can be tailored into a gap year. Since there are so many variables, an individual’s decision to take a gap year must be deliberate. With planning and financial preparation, a gap year can offer an excellent return on investment for the student.
Numerous students use their gap year to mature and grow, save money for college, travel, work, volunteer, study, improve ACT/SAT scores, or intern. The gap year is a recent concept in the United States. Students in Europe have taken advantage of gap years for decades. A 2013 GoOverseas.com article cited over 5% of United Kingdom students who were accepted into universities deferred admission for one year in 2012 versus 1.2% of first time college freshmen who deferred admission in the United States for a gap year in 2011 (http://bit.ly/GoOverseas_blog). The article linked American students’ reluctance to take gap years to several factors: 1) pressure to attend college after high school and 2) anxiety that a gap year contradicts the American Work Ethic to attend college, graduate and then work until retirement. In addition, Americans are less likely to travel to international destinations compared to Europeans. In spite of these reasons, participation in the U.S. may be low because many students may lack information about the gap year model.
If considering a gap year, the high school student with parental monitoring must research and make a plan. A gap year is a chance to explore life and interests. A gap year, however, is not an extended Spring Break. Some gap year programs emphasize work experience and life skills, in particular, punctuality, teamwork and problem-solving, which are attractive to employers. Therefore, the student should have specific goals and a purpose for the gap year.
Gap Year’s Purpose
In developing a plan for a gap year, a student should answer the following questions:
1) What are you going to do?
2) How will the experience enrich your life?
3) Will you apply for internships or volunteer opportunities for personal growth or career experience?
4) Are you interested in an independent gap year program or one sponsored by your college(s) of interest?
5) What are the application and deadline requirements for sponsored programs?
6) Are gap year counselor(s)/advisor(s) and former program alum available for you to interview?
7) Are you willing to travel for an international or domestic program?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, backpacking across Europe or South American may not be an ideal gap year plan this year. Still, local and domestic travel opportunities may be options. Sit down and write-out what you hope to gain from a gap year. Have a parent, teacher, or mentor review the plan and provide feedback to ensure everything is considered.
The College(s) of Interest’s Gap Year Policy
Some colleges encourage students’ participation in gap year programs. During your research, a good question to ask the admission office at your college(s) of interest is about their gap year policy and deadlines. Prior to approving a gap year, some colleges require high school seniors to apply for admission and financial aid, by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The applying student should also ask if housing and awarded scholarships will still be available when the student starts college; if the gap year is eligible for college credit; and whether a tuition deposit is required. The college may require the applicant to submit a gap year plan. If the college approves the plan, it will place the future college freshman in a deferred status. At the conclusion of the gap year, the student will start college in the next suitable academic session. In addition, many colleges sponsor in-house gap year programs. These official programs are structured and have defined learning modules. You should ask if your college(s) of interest have a gap year program and the application process. In contrast, some colleges do not recognize gap years and will require students to apply for admission after completing their gap year. With all college(s) of interest, students should verify if taking classes at another college during the gap year will have any negative repercussions such as changing their status from a freshman to a transfer student. An important step in gap year planning is to contact your college(s) of interest admissions office to address any issues or concerns.
Housing and Living Expenses
Gap year participants will require money for living expenses that include food, housing, and transportation. Some formal gap year programs offer scholarships that pay for living expenses and healthcare benefits. For available scholarships, research is required to complete applications by the filing deadlines and learn about scholarship amounts. If the scholarship amounts do not cover all expenses, other options are required to cover the shortfall in funding. As of March 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted the unemployment rate for youth 16 to 19 years old was 13% (http://bit.ly/bls_teenunemployment). If working is a condition to support your gap year expenses then it must be included in the planning. Think about what job opportunities are available to you based upon your experience, skills and abilities. Will you be living independently from your parents or continue to live with them? Again, planning for housing and living expenses are a major part of making the gap year operate smoothly.
Parental/Guardian Support
If you plan to live with your parents or request financial assistance during your gap year, you will need their support. It is important to discuss with your parents a well-developed plan that includes financing the gap year. Parents/guardians will want to know the pros and cons of a gap year program. First generation and low-income students may want to emphasize the benefits of a gap year program in increasing readiness for post-secondary education and employment. WallStreetJournal.com statistics stated 90% of students returned to college within a year after taking a gap year (http://online.wsj.com). Also, a GapYearAssociation.org study reported gap year respondents who enrolled in college and graduated “had, on average, shorter times to graduation and higher GPAs as compared to national norms” (http://bit.ly/GYA_gapyearstudy). The respondents also stated an 86% satisfaction rate with their jobs. The results from this study concluded that students who participated in enriching gap year programs benefited in on-time graduations and job satisfaction.
Options and Benefits
Taking a gap year is an individual student’s decision. If high school students know their career direction, then going from high school to college may be the best option. However, it is not the only option to reach career goals. Instead of attending college immediately, the gap year provides students a breather to assess the direction of their lives. They can volunteer, work to save money to attend college, travel, or learn a different language. Gap year benefits extend across social, economic, career and academic areas of a student’s life. A planned gap year with a defined purpose can give a lifetime of experiences and personal growth to a young person. A gap year can be a great return on investment.
Valarie R. Austin is the author of The Student’s Comprehensive Guide for College & Other Life Lessons. She has a wealth of knowledge on the subjects of career and college preparation. She also conducts career and college readiness workshops for high school students and parents. Check out her author’s pages on https://www.linkedin/in/valarie-r-austin, https://www.goodreads.com/valarie_r_austin and https://www.amazon.com/author/valarie_r_austin. A Youtube.com review of her book can found at https://youtu.be/xy_GSHlJsa0. This article was edited by Raffie Johnson. Copyright 2021, Vauboix Publishing LLC. (Article 3 of 5, spring 2021)
The Student's Comprehensive Guide For College & Other Life Lessons
La Guía Comprensiva del Estudiante para la Universidad & Otras Lecciones de Vida
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