Considering a Gap Year? What You Need to Know

Of the post-high school options available to students, the one we tend to overlook is the “gap year”.

A gap year is simply the interval between the end of high school and the beginning of the next step. Traditionally, it was used between high school and college, though more students are deciding to follow other pursuits after their gap year. The term “gap year” was formalized in the 1960s and has been steadily gaining popularity in the US since then. Today, it is seen as a viable option for all students.

While you or your teen may feel that taking a gap year could give the impression that they lack a sense of direction, that’s certainly not the case. In fact, there are several benefits to taking a gap year!

With plenty of healthy discussion, thorough research, and careful planning, a gap year might be just the thing your student needs to confidently launch into their future.

Common reasons to take a gap year

There are many reasons for the growing number of students taking a gap between high school and their next formal step. An uncertain college landscape, a dizzying number of career possibilities, and increasing costs are just a few reasons students are seeking to prioritize personal growth, career exploration, and a slow launch over the rush into college and career.

• A student may need to work for a period to save money for continuing education costs (whether college, trade school, or technical training).
• Your student may want to improve their college admissions prospects by focusing on earning competitive scores on college entrance exams.
• Teens may want to give themselves a dedicated year before joining the military. (Note that this may impact enrollment opportunities at military academies, but the other paths to military service would likely be available to students as long as they can articulate why a gap year was taken.)
  
• Some students are unsure what they want to do with their next season of life and want to give themselves an intentional year to consider their options.
• For teens who faced adverse events in high school, a gap year after graduation may give them the time they need to grow, heal, and explore next steps.
• Students may want to seize the opportunities for specific learning such as mission work, environmental or political advocacy work, self-study, internships, language immersion, or focused fine arts training or performance opportunities.
• A parent (and their student) might recognize that a teen needs a break, and time for further emotional development, particularly if there have been medical or mental health issues.
• For younger, gifted students who graduated early: a parent may want to delay college if they deem the child too young for the college environment.
  

A few considerations about gap years

Keep the following things in mind as you and your student decide whether a gap year is a good fit.

A gap year should be intentionally planned so that your teen can use the time to prepare themselves for their next step. Before the gap year begins, sit down with your teen to research options together and determine what they want to do next. If they’re not sure, that’s okay, just come up with some concrete goals that they would like to accomplish. Write down their plan for the year (some options are below!), making sure that you both understand your responsibilities and obligations for the gap year and beyond.

Have your teen ponder the potential changes in their relationships with friends and peers who may take a different path. If your student has friends who are going to college, they may feel out of step with that cohort, even if they go to college after the gap year. Mindset is important. If your student confidently knows why they took a gap year, it will be easier to navigate the challenges that come with it.

Teens should also be prepared to explain why they took a gap year and convey what they did, in case colleges or employers inquire about the gap in their resume.

What to do during a gap year

Gap years can be individually customized to a teen’s needs and the next thing they’re pursuing. Here are just a few options that teens can choose to do. (These are not mutually exclusive; many teens do a combination of these options!).

1. Create margin

Teens can take advantage of a slower pace and enjoy the margin of not having academic deadlines to meet. Some want to use this time for personal development and for soul-searching to help them better determine what they want to pursue next. For these students, having an open calendar is restorative and inspiring.

2. Work a job

Your teen might want to get an entry-level job, whether it be part-time or full-time, in order to save money for their next venture and gain practical job experience at the same time. Some teens can even use it to explore potential career fields they may be interested in.

3. Do volunteer or service work

Gap years are a great time for teenagers to spend extra time volunteering. Whether it be at local charities, libraries, community gardens, nursing homes, or food pantries, volunteer work can be quite fulfilling to young adults looking to give back to their communities.

4. Prepare for college

If your student is planning to go to college after their gap year, there are two common paths they can choose between:

• Apply to college in their senior year, following the normal process and timeline, then apply for deferred enrollment status with their prospective college. Make sure you understand what the college’s deferment agreement includes and what (if any) changes there will be to your teen’s financial aid package for enrolling a year later. The benefit to this approach is that students can graduate from high school knowing that their space in college is being reserved for them.

• Graduate from high school, take the gap year, and then apply to college, paying close attention to application requirements and timelines. The benefit to this approach is that students have more time to study for college entrance exams and apply to various colleges. A student should be prepared to talk about why they took a gap year on their applications.

Students who take either path must be mindful if their plans include taking classes for credit during the gap year. A high school student can take between 12 and 30 college credits and often still be considered a freshman applicant, depending on a college's specific policies. However, the number of credits a student has may affect their class standing and financial aid, so it’s crucial to check with a college’s admissions office. 

5. Pursue a formal gap year program

For some students, a formal gap year program can be beneficial since it provides guardrails and structure to how they spend this time.

A number of universities and organizations have emerged that provide a way for your teen to meet their gap-year goals. Thoroughly research those options with your teen, discuss the pros and cons, and make sure that they align with your worldview. And keep in mind that most formal gap year programs require tuition or payment of some sort, though many offer scholarships to offset costs.

Here are a few formal programs to begin your search:

• Unbound Ascend – A gap year program that helps students discover their interests, abilities, and personal goals. Group projects are used to help students gain employable skills, cultivate leadership ability, and learn about career opportunities.
• Experience Mission – A Christian organization that offers volunteer opportunities in the states and abroad.
• Global Frontier Missions – A global evangelism organization that prepares students for mission work.
• Polygence – A program that offers students the opportunity to join research projects in a variety of topics and universities

A gap year is certainly not the right choice for every student, but it could be the right choice for yours! With the right resources and the right plan, it can be a beneficial time of growth that young adults can use to head into their next season feeling more prepared and equipped for what's to come.