Gap Year

A Gap Year is a period of time between completing high school and beginning college when a student steps outside the traditional classroom experience. This is a time to take a purposeful break from the academic treadmill and explore the world, engage in community service, work on a political campaign, intern at a non-profit — the possibilities are endless. Gap Year experiences give students a developmental advantage over their peers by providing them with an opportunity to expand their perspective and gain direction, giving the college years meaning and focus. Increasingly, college admission officers are extolling the many values of taking a Gap Year.

Sewickley Academy students who are considering a Gap Year can contact Global Studies Program Coordinator Judy Stewart, Associate Director of College Counseling Trevor Rusert, or SA School Counselor Lynn Sanborne for more information.

Gap Year Resources

USA Gap Year Fairs
Lists organizations that provide Gap Year opportunities, which are mostly overseas but with some domestic options such as City Year.

AFS (formerly the American Field Service)

Global Citizen Year

Rotary Youth Exchange

Rustic Pathways

Amizade Global Service-Learning (Pittsburgh-based)

Youth for Understanding USA

Urban Promise

Books that provide guidance on how to choose a Gap Year program:

Complete Guide to the Gap Year
The Gap-Year Advantage