"Gap time" is a year or semester that students take off typically before enrolling in college. It doesn’t have to be time hanging out at home -- "gappers" often work to save money, volunteer, intern, or perhaps study a language abroad.

Most students elect this time off because they don't feel prepared for college or they're looking for more life experience first. According to Jason Sarouhan, a counselor at Center for Interim Programs, a gap year consulting organization, gap years enable young people to gain more independence and self-empowerment. "The time between high school and college offers the natural opportunity to take a break and to recalibrate one’s focus and centeredness," he says, adding that young people can benefit from structured time away from school or work.

Ideally, the best way to arrange a gap year is to gain admissions to college and then request to deferre that admissions for a year. 

During your "Gap year”, you may decide to...

1. Volunteer

• Serve with AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps is an opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to give time and talent to strengthen communities

2. Intern

• Idealist
• InternWeb

3. Travel / Study Abroad 

• GoAbroad 
• GoOverseas

4. 5^th year of high school

• International High School