The gap year — which involves delaying college to pursue an academic, career-oriented or extracurricular passion — is an increasingly popular pastime for students.
With more students investigating the possibility of taking a gap year, more programs emerge, greatly broadening the options for interested individuals. So it is more important than ever to properly weigh your options when evaluating various gap year programs. While you’re at it, here are four essential red flags to keep an eye out for.
[Here’s how to decide if a gap year makes sense for you.]
1. The cost doesn’t seem right. As with any investment or purchase, cost can be a significant factor when choosing a gap year program. Think about how much you are willing to spend on your gap year, and what you would like to be included in this cost.
While the cost of gap year programs can vary widely, it is important to look beyond their initial prices. In other words, you need to know what the total package consists of.
A program that seemingly offers similar experiences to another, far more expensive program could be a red flag. The more expensive program may include airfare, food, and lodging at a discount, while the less expensive option may include only some or even none of these items.
If you are strongly considering a program that does not include many amenities in its price, make sure to do some calculations of your own before you register for it. See if the cost of in-country bus or rail fares will prove to be prohibitive and if you can afford the living expenses. Also beware of an application fee that is unusually high when compared with similar programs.
[Find scholarships to help you pay for a gap year.]
2. There is a lack of supervision. Many students opt for a gap year between high school and college in an effort to enhance their applications. If this describes you, consider whether the programs you are interested in have an individual in a supervisory role who could provide you with a letter of recommendation, such as an instructor or other educator.
Even if you plan to write about your gap year experience in your application essay, having a person who can speak about how the program has made you a better college applicant can be quite beneficial. If a program lacks this form of guidance and supervision, it may be a sign to look elsewhere.
If you have your heart set on an experience that would benefit from such a supervisor, make sure the experience’s benefits will be obvious, both on their face and in your application essay.
3. Your program doesn’t apply to your academic goals. If your program involves any sort of academic course work, it may be a red flag if that course work is not transferrable to your undergraduate institution of choice.
Not only does this mean that the program benefits you less, but, in some instances, it may call into question the validity of the course work itself. In the long term, it is also important to weigh whether the gap year program you choose will support your larger educational and career goals.
As much as possible, try to ensure that the goals of the gap year program relate to what you believe you will study in college or to your future career. If they do not, the program may not be right for you.
If you are not sure, contact the college you will enroll in the following year — or if you have not picked a college yet, a few of the colleges to which you are planning to apply — and tell them about the program, asking whether the course work will be transferable.
[Learn about how a gap year can make students successful.]
4. The program is slow to respond to questions. It is always a great idea to touch base with at least one student who has completed the gap year program you are considering. If you struggle to do so, this is a significant red flag. Gap year programs that are confident in the quality of their experiences will often grant this information to you willingly.
In addition, as you research programs and reach out to them to ask questions, note their levels of responsiveness. If they are difficult to communicate with now, how will they be if you register and encounter problems later on?
There are many factors to consider when choosing a gap year program including those discussed above. When deciding on a gap year program, first think about why you want to take a gap year and what you hope to gain from it. Any truly informed decision begins here.
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Beware of 4 Red Flags of Gap Year Programs originally appeared on usnews.com
