THINKING OF TAKING A YEAR OFF AFTER GRADUATION?THIS TIME IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS:
GAP Year/Bridge Year
P.G./Post Grad/13th Year
WHAT IS A GAP YEAR? VS. A POST GRADUATE (P.G.) YEAR?
List of Gap Year Programs
A Gap Year is the period of time between high school graduation and college. There are two ways to approach a Gap Year!
- In Senior year, apply and get admitted to college and then ask to be deferred (Always check with the college to make sure they offer deferment).
- For Seniors who are not ready to apply to college and would benefit from a year of growth and development, a Gap Year program gives them an extra year before applying to college.
Please note: These Gap Year programs do not increase the academic achievement of the student’s high school transcript.
Many organizations exist to provide students with the opportunity for independence and self exploration. There are boundless opportunities to work, study, volunteer, and travel all over the globe.
A Gap Year can include participation in an organized program, internships, working in a field of interest, cultural immersion, community service, academic areas, music, art, theater, conservation, social issues, adventure, sailing and outdoor programs.
There are a variety of Gap Year Opportunities such as:
Travel Internships
Volunteer Study abroad
Work Sailing
Adventures Conservation
Below is a sampling of programs offering formal Gap Year programs*:
Americorps Aspire
Carpe Diem CIEE
City Year Dynamy
Global Routes Leap Now
Where there be Dragons NOLS
Outward Bound Sea/Mester
Rustic Pathways Brown Ledge
* this is just a partial list for more suggestions check the list that follows, or come into the CCC for information.
(These are not WHS endorsed).
A “P.G.” (Post Graduate) Year is technically a 13th year of high school.
Many boarding schools offer a program specifically designed for a 13th year of academic study. Students can use this year to develop classroom maturity and improve their GPA. This year can help a student regroup and focus his/her direction. This year can be a helpful transition between home and college.