Planning For a Gap Year
Making the right preparations for a gap year is important. While our staff at CIEE is here to answer any questions you might have, here are some things for you and your child to consider as he or she nears the end of high school.
Junior Year
- Check with your child’s school counselor about gap year opportunities
- Have open dialogue with your child to help them determine what they want out of a gap year. It helps for them to define a goal: do they want to learn a new language? Engage in community service? Refocus and re-energize? See the world?
- Determine a budget
- Research gap year options and destinations
- Determine logistics and deadlines for applying and going on a gap year
Senior Year
November – December
- Submit college applications
January – March
- Submit applications to gap organizations
- Receive acceptance letters from colleges
March – End of April
- Check colleges’ gap year policies
- Discuss deferral options with colleges
- Confirm if scholarships and/or special program acceptances will be honored
By May 1
- Send deposit to chosen college
- Make a formal written request for deferment AFTER accepting admission to chosen college
- Explain why you’re deferring, your goals for the gap year, and why you’re asking for your place to be held
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