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So you are thinking about taking a gap year, but what is a 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 explore the world, reflect on their personal values and goals, and prepare to take the next purposeful step in life. Gap Year programs give students an opportunity to expand their perspective and gain direction that give the college years meaning and focus. For many students, Gap Year programs provide them with time to develop independence and confidence as well as pursue various fields of interest.

A gap year may be taken to complete an internship and explore a career, it can be volunteer-based, or involve heavy traveling.  Keeping that in mind, gap year programs have their own deadlines that one must abide by when applying to do one.  If you are looking for ideas or formal gap year programs, check out the Gap Year Page on the College and Career Readiness Website.

A Special Gap Year Program Spotlight On The City Year Program:

Website

It is a great opportunity as a FREE Gap Year Program, with tons of benefits that include:

• Free Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance; and access to counseling

  • Bi-weekly stipend, varies by location

  • 11 months of professional development

  • Volunteers are given a full uniform

  • Access to 120+ scholarships at leading colleges and universities

  • Segal Education Award of $6,400+ after full-time year of service, to be used toward personal education

• City Year has programs in Boston and Everett, locally; however, the program has locations in 29 cities across 21 different states (all over the USA) and 2 cities overseas.

• Applicants can apply to any city they choose, and the application is available on the Common App.

• If you join a local program, you can live nearby in a rental shared with other volunteers OR commute.  The program helps those who are interested in teaming up with roommates.

• One can apply to college and CY simultaneously, then defer enrollment at their university for a year to participate in CY.

• CY provides counseling on what to do after the program ends.

• CY offers grants to future educators, who want to get into the field of teaching/education.

A Special Gap Year Program Spotlight On The Ma Promise Fellowship:

• Massachusetts Promise Fellowship, an AmeriCorps program at Northeastern University's Office of Community Service & Civic Engagement:  Each year, we place AmeriCorps Members (Fellows) at non-profit organizations, city agencies, and schools across Massachusetts to lead out-of-school time programming for youth in grades 6-12 focused on mentoring, academic enrichment, and college and career exploration. Throughout their service year, Fellows also receive training and professional development from MPF, gaining valuable career skills and experience. This is a great opportunity for those looking for a meaningful gap year experience or to jumpstart their career after high school. Our application for the 2024-2025 service year is currently open and we are recruiting for up to 30 service positions in Boston, Framingham, Marlborough, Stoughton, and Springfield. Our website can be found here.