The Gap Year Edge

A gap year is most typically taken between high school and college, or during college, to explore one’s interests in a dynamic hands-on fashion. Students can combine an array of experiences from group programs focused on cultural immersion and service, to skill-based options such as learning film making or how to run a recording studio, to gaining certifications, e.g. Wilderness EMT. Worldwide internships and volunteer work can also be included in the mix. Gap year options can span a weekend, a month, three months, on up to full year programs. Costs range widely with some placements providing housing and food for labor and others involving fees/tuition.

The benefits of taking gap time are varied and numerous:

• A chance to choose, create, and own one’s life at an early age
• The opportunity to relate classroom learning to the world
• Time to rest/rejuvenate from the onerous aspects of schooling (the gap year is particularly effective for students with learning differences who often thrive outside a formal classroom setting)
• Exploring an interest in a particular field before pursuing it as a major or career
• Increased clarity and focus in college resulting in a saving of time and money (the average number of college years is 5-6, not 4, with students changing majors or school in their effort to determine a passion; gap year students are invariably more efficient, finishing college in a shorter period of time than their non-gap year peers
• Building a resume and gaining practical skills before college or the work world
• Increased self-confidence from handling new situations away from home
• Greater financial awareness through having to focus on a budget
• Smoother transitions into college and the work world post college

There are those who may assume that taking a gap year is now a fairly simple task with the aid of the internet and various books and articles referencing this option for students. The reality is that it is not so easy to do on one’s own. Potential pitfalls include poorly run programs (where safety or insufficient activity for students can be an issue), too much down time at home due to lack of sufficient planning or structure, or socially isolated placements which can negatively color the whole experience.

Founded in 1980, the Center for Interim Programs has been doing gap year counseling work longer than anyone in the US and we are highly practiced at assisting students and parents through the gap year process. We have visited numerous programs in site, know most program directors well, and can offer program feedback from our over 8,000 alumni.

We offer anyone who is interested a free 90-minute brainstorming session where we map out a potential gap year based on a student’s interest. For those on a tight budget, we provide scholarships for our fee and recommend vetted, low cost placements so that the year itself does not have to be financially prohibitive. Even for those who have the means, there is no need to spend a lot of money on a gap year.

Most adults recognize that it is harder to take time later in one’s life to explore interests in this way. The reality is that this is a jewel of a period of time in which to gain personal clarity and power. If students can learn this early on, it will stand them in very good stead no matter what they choose to do in college and beyond.

A recent quote from one of our alumni mothers illustrates the practical effects of taking gap time for her daughter:

She gained much from her semester period in London, and all the courses/workshops she took in film making led to her new career—production first for a topflight advertising agency...where she interned  and then worked her way through the post-production department in both creative and technical roles...she is now head of production at a major production house...a position she recently achieved. She seems to thrive on the responsibility and challenge.

This hands on learning is invaluable and a perfect complement to formal academics.

Holly Bull, Center for Interim Programs President, Interview About "Filling the Gap"

Time Out for Students

Holly Bull was recently asked to speak at the South Orange-Maplewood Adult School in NJ about the "Gap Year Advantage": the many benefits of taking time gap time before (or during) college.

Local journalist, Rose Bennett Gilbert, interviewed Holly who pointed out that in the past young women and men who took time away from school were thought to be "indecisive or uncommitted to their educations," which is no longer the case. The reality is that gap time is "a great option for anyone who is trying to figure out who they are and what they really want."

Another benefit counteracting the effects of our current stressful academic culture, is how gap time leads to more rested and focused students who are typically more excited about their studies following some time to decompress, explore the world, and choose experiences that light them up.

Additional advice Holly offers to parents and students:

• Do your due diligence on possible gap programs
• Plan carefully so you don't have too many gaps during your gap year
• Include some hands-on practical experience

Read more gap year insights in Ms. Gilbert's article on the Adult School website.

Past Student Loan Borrower Comments and Colleges That Support Gap Year

(This is our fourth post in a series on the economics of taking gap time.)

In this post, we are looking at:

• regrets of recently polled college graduates looking back on costs incurred attaining their degrees and how these costs affected them
• reported average college tuition and fee levels
• tuition and fee levels for highly recommended colleges that now support a structured gap year

A recent Citizens Bank Survey reported here on Market Watch revealed "An alarming three-quarters of Americans with student loan debt (74%) wish they had done more to minimize the burden of their student loans...66% report that their student loans prevent them from saving as much as they’d like...61% believe that their parents don’t have a full grasp on what paying for college is like today" and "More than half (53%) believe that discussing paying for college with parents earlier would have decreased the amount of student loan debt they incurred."

What these graduates recommend with hindsight:

1. Prioritize paying off student loans as soon as possible (43%)
2. Spend time to fully understand student loan options (41%)
3. Have more conversations on educational financing with experts, e.g. a financial advisor (33%)
4. Attend a less expensive college (29%)
5. Refinance student loans to get a lower interest rate (26%)

It is clear that college debt is a serious issue that needs to be addressed before college choices are made.

What loan amounts can one plan for? The College Board shows that average costs to attend college for the 2019/2020 school year are as follows: (See Figure 1 in the above College Board link for additional expenses for Books and Supplies, Transportation and Other)

School           Annual Tuition      Room & Board       Yearly Cost       Degree Cost

Public,
2-year school,
in-state:           $3,730                  $8,990                    $12,720               $25,440 

Public,
4-year school,
in-state:           $10,440                 $11,510                  $21,950               $87,800

Public,
4-year school,
out-of-state:     $26,820                 $11,510                  $38,330              $153,320

Private,
4-year school:  $36,880                 $12,990                  $49,870              $199,480

These costs include different factors and are only averages but should provide a sense of possible costs. The figures also do not take into account possible scholarships and grants. Keep in mind that the average number of years for students to finish college is 5-6 rather than 4 so final Degree Costs are often significantly higher. In comparison, gap year students more commonly finish college in four years or fewer.

Note the following Gap Year Colleges selected by Value Colleges. These colleges support the gap year as a powerful way of learning about who you are and where you can go. As Value Colleges states, "A gap year gives young people the chance to mature, to learn more about their career goals, and to decide what path is right for them." Colleges are increasingly expressing their support of a gap year for applicants for these very reasons. It can only benefit them to have students on campus who are more mature, rested, and potentially have a clearer sense of educational or career direction.

For example, Harvard University accepts 5% of its applicants and the total 2018-2019 cost of attending without financial aid is $46,340 for tuition alone, and $67,580 for tuition, room, board, and fees combined. However, Harvard offers solid financial assistance. The financial aid program requires no contribution from Harvard families with annual incomes below $65,000; asks from 0 to 10% of income for those with incomes up to $150,000; and expects proportionally more from families with incomes above $150,000. As an Ivy League institution, Harvard takes academic rigor, intellectual exploration, and well-rounded education very seriously. This is why they strongly encourage gap year programs abroad and domestic, and make the process easier with flexible admissions policies. The gap year can involve volunteer work, travel, or dedication to a special project and is perfectly acceptable to Harvard as long as students do not enroll at another college or university during this period.

The University of Oregon has an acceptance rate of 83% and tuition and fees, including room and board, of approximately $47,000 before any student aid program offers. The university offers $245 million dollars each year in financial aid to qualifying students. Oregon honors admission for up to one year if a student chooses to defer and take a gap year. To apply, students must describe their gap year plan and what could be gained from the experience. Students who earn college credits during a gap year lose deferment status, however, and must reapply to the University of Oregon as a transfer student.

Florida State University has an acceptance rate of 49% and tuition and fees, including room and board, of $33,499 for out-of-state students before any student aid program offers. Each year they award and administer more than $350 million dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Students receive aid in the form of scholarships, grants, work study, and loans - funds that help them focus on their education and complete their degree. For the gap year, FSU students can apply for one of the Gap Year Fellow awards, up to $5,000 from the college, to support them during their gap time. They are asked to fill out a short application which requests a "bridge year" proposal with defined learning objectives and educational goals for the year.

We invite you to take a look again at all 35 colleges that actively support the Gap Year. You will find that a good number of them have high acceptance rates and all have a variety of academic focuses and a wide range of costs.