Gap Year. That year between high school and college -- and sometimes, between college and grad school of college and work (if you can find work). A time to recharge, to rejuvenate, to mature, to decide what you want in life and where you want to go.

Always popular in Europe, where a year "on" before university -- traveling, interning, engaging in community service, and, yes, taking courses that often count toward college credit -- Gap Year is gaining greater traction here in the good ole U.S. of A. Indeed, as more students take advantage of the legion of Gap Year programs, both domestic and international, available to them, more colleges, having accepted said students, are happily offering deferments. Actually, it's a win-win for both student and college. The student, having applied to college, gets in, while the college, assured of having a student in hand and on campus the following year, gains space this fall.

While Gap Years aren't for everyone, and they don't always come cheap, the experience often proves invaluable, opening minds, forging friendships, and giving students that "real life" experience before they head off to the more or less sheltered life of college.

Gap Year programs are legion, and finding just the right one to suit a particular student's needs and financing can be daunting. A bit of research on just what's out there can be helpful in narrowing the field and making Gap Year decisions.

The list of Gap Year programs is exhaustive. With this in mind, here are but a few -- the tip of the iceberg, mind you -- of the Gap Year programs and related readings we've come across in our research. [For a more complete listing, email us.] 

USA Gap Year Fairs | Programs    www.usagapyearfairs.org/programs    The USA Gap Year Fairs website offers a listing of a variety of different Gap Year programs. All the programs listed below are Keystone Programs; they are ...  

Gap Year Abroad | Gap Year Programs with CIEE   www.ciee.org/gap-year-abroad/    CIEE has Gap Year Programs abroad in Spain, France, Japan, China and more. Find the right way to spend your gap year and have the adventure of a lifetime.

Thinking Beyond Borders: Gap Year Programs with Purpose thinkingbeyondborders.org/   TBB's gap year programs go beyond just travel and service. Our students find direction, skills, and community for college and to change the world.

Study Abroad Gapyear - ISA    studiesabroad.com/gapyear    ISA Gap Year programs offer high school graduates the opportunity to study abroad ... ISA Gap Year programs are ideal for students who want to explore their ...

7 Questions to Ask When Considering a Gap Year - US News and ...             www.usnews.com › Education Holly Bull, president of the 30-year-old Center for Interim Programs, the first and longest-running gap year counseling organization in the ...

    Gap Year Programs - Planet Gap Year www.planetgapyear.com/category/gap-year-programs

Check out Expanish in Buenos Aires Argentina, a language school offering 3- month semesters abroad and overseas designed for college students,GAP year ...

The Best Gap Year Programs Are Here « American Gap Association  www.americangap.org/    Gap Year answers; responses to questions for a high school thesis. -- 1. ...

Know of other Gap Year programs? Want to share your Gap Year experience? Comment below or drop us an email. We'd love to hear from you! 

Plan. Prepare. Prevail!  

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of The College Whisperer™.

Who knows what peril lurks in the college application and admissions process? The College Whisperer™ knows. . .

* * *
Comments? Questions for The College Whisperer™?
Write us at info@TheCollegeWhisperer.com

The College Whisperer™ and Official Sponsor of College Admission Success ™ are Trademarks of COLLEGE CONNECTION. The road to college begins at COLLEGE CONNECTION! Whether you are planning for college, applying to college, paying for college or simply thinking about college, COLLEGE CONNECTION can help! Call TODAY for a FREE telephone consultation. 516-345-8766

For up-to-the-minute news, apps, info and insights on college applications, admissions, scholarships and just about everything college, follow The College Whisperer™ on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/GetCollege