Gap Year
- For Students
"Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe."
For Students
EnRoute was founded on the belief that global travel and volunteerism, especially during your late teens and early twenties, can positively affect the rest of your life. Being exposed to different cultures, experiences, and skills will not only give you a competitive edge in college or the workforce, but a greater understanding of the world at large. In addition, a gap year offers you time for self-exploration and discovery during the formative years in your development as an adult.
The whole idea of taking a year off is personal growth. Nurturing your passions is key to both appreciating your past or future college experience and engaging in the world around you. Even if you don't find your calling on your gap year, you will return from your time with a greater breadth of life experience and lasting memories of your adventures.
Okay! I think I want to take a gap year. Now what?
Consider a Gap Year
Common reasons for taking a gap year before college.
- You feel burnt out.
- You want to travel.
- You don't feel ready for college.
- You don't know what you want to study in college.
You feel burnt out.
With colleges and universities more competitive than ever, you are groomed from a young age to be a model college admissions candidate. Between school, athletics, and extracurricular activities, by the time you actually arrive at college, you might feel worn pretty thin. A gap year before college allows you take some time out from the 12+ years of schooling you've already completed to focus your interests, gain some real world experience, and mature in time for the world of higher education. Back to top.
You want to travel.
Some young people develop the travel bug early in life. If this sounds like you, a gap year allows you to explore areas of the globe you've always dreamed of visiting. The experiences and maturity you gain along the way will help prepare you for college and the world thereafter. After all, traveling isn't just sight-seeing. You will gain problem-solving skills, independence as well as the traditional cultural benefits associated with traveling on your gap year. Plus, chances are you won't feel as antsy while at college once you travel a bit beforehand. Back to top.
You don't feel ready for college.
Your college experience should be one of the most mentally stimulating and socially engaging times of your life. It's natural for some young people to not feel prepared to enter this next chapter of their lives. Often, students who enter college worn out, disinterested or otherwise sidetracked may find it difficult to fully benefit from the college experience, especially academically. Back to top.
You don't know what you want to study in college.
Most freshmen in college have no idea what they want to major in or "be" when they grow up. Many universities try to alleviate this uncertainty by prescribing a core curriculum in order to expose students to a wide variety of coursework. A gap year works in a similar way; it introduces a myriad of possibilities to inspire your future. The main difference between a core curriculum and a gap year is the latter allows you to explore your interests outside the classroom environment, in real life situations. A gap year also allows you to choose which subjects you'd like to explore and the flexibility to discover and nurture new interests. Back to top.
FAQ
Common questions from students considering a gap year.
- I've already applied to college but am still interested in taking a gap year before I begin. Is this possible?
- Should I take a year off during college?
- Will taking a gap year cost me more money?
- Can I take a gap year after college?
I've already applied to college but am still interested in taking a gap year before I begin. Is this possible?
This is the best situation a potential gapper can be in! EnRoute strongly recommends applying to colleges during your senior year of high school as usual. Most colleges and universities allow accepted students to defer admission for a year in order to pursue a gap year. In fact, Ivy League schools like Princeton and Harvard, having analyzed the performance and general happiness of previous gappers who have attended their institutions, are taking steps to encourage more of their incoming freshmen to take gap years. Back to top.
Should I take a year off during college?
Perhaps you find yourself questioning your selected major even though you've already spent a year or two studying at college. Maybe you find yourself thinking about quitting school completely. Taking a year off at this point can seem daunting, especially if most of your peers are on the straight and narrow.
But no one is the same, and if you feel you need some time to refocus your studies, a gap year within your college experience can offer some valuable time to ask yourself what you want out of higher education and beyond. If your unrest translates into flunking grades or depression, a year off should certainly be considered. A college education should be appreciated, and you should be at your mental best when learning in this environment. Back to top.
Will taking a gap year cost me more money?
Program fees, plane tickets and other travel expenses need to be factored in to an overall gap year budget. Some programs are more expensive than others, some include room and board while others don't, some even include visas and necessary vaccinations. EnRoute works with families to put together an itinerary within a budget that includes resources from fundraising, working a portion of the gap year, and any donations from parents or other family members.
With the price tag of colleges and universities sky-rocketing, a gap year can end up saving you or your parents money in the long run. If you dedicate a year to discovering your passions, you are much more likely to go to college knowing what moves you and what doesn't. Once you arrive at college with new life experiences, you will find yourself more prepared to engage in coursework you find stimulating. You will be far less likely to waste time and money taking extraneous courses or switching majors multiple times. With many schools imposing strict coursework requirement for majors, knowing what you want out of college can end up saving you and your parents thousands of dollars and possibly several years of your life. Back to top.
Can I take a gap year after college?
A gap year between college and the "real world" can be similarly beneficial to those taken before college. You may find yourself wanting to travel or volunteer before beginning a career or attending graduate school. Gap year opportunities, such as volunteering overseas with a non-profit, can enhance your resume and separate you from the rest of the post-graduate pack. This can give you an advantage when you do decide to enter the job market or apply to graduate school.
Adults will always tell you, "travel while you're young." If you were unable or not interested in taking a gap year before college, the natural space between college and grad school or the workforce offers an excellent opportunity to take time off. You'll be glad you did! Back to top.