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Student Comments on the Gap-Year Experience
"School is great. I am having a wonderful freshman year. I can also say
that taking a gap year was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am
happier, healthier, and much better equipped to deal with the academic
pressure of school than I would ever have been without that time for myself.
I also know that with your help in finding programs, I got a lot more out of
my year than many of my friends who tried to plan gap years for themselves,
so thank you!"
| Rachel, Interim student, now at Swarthmore |
"I learned more last year than I could ever express in a letter, more than I can express in words at all. I got a crucial break from the anxiety that was my education; I had time to notice what I was doing, seeing, learning day-by-day, and the places I went, the things I did, were worth noticing. That's all I wanted when I opted for a year away from school - a different way of life for a while, a little breathing space. But last year became far, far more than just a breathing space. To say it was confidence-building would be an understatement. Beyond home, I did things I'd only ever dreamed of. Away from my judgemental peers and concerned parents, I was able to experiment with everything from writing to butchering cattle. I wiggled out from beneath the standards of home and shot up towards the sky...The year started off as a relief and ended up invigorating."
Sabrina in Latin America |
"I would like to thank you for all you did to help me get the most out of my gap year. It truly has been the best year of my life thus far. When I first embarked on my gap year, I had no idea that it would so thoroughly enrich my life...I have travelled to so many amazing places, experienced life in different cultures, and formed many wonderful new friendships. I also couldn't be more proud of my now very strong Spanish language skills. So, thank you, thank you, thank you, for encouraging me to take a gap year, for helping me find the right programs, and for checking up on me throughout the year. If I were to do it all over again, there would be very little I would change. Even though it wasn't all smooth sailing, I have no regrets and only the fondest memories. Thank you also for encouraging me to reapply to Brown. I am finally on the path I had always hoped for myself. My time abroad has steered me toward the idea of service work abroad and I am considering a concentration in international development studies at Brown. I still have a lot of time to alter and solidify my plans, but I know that whatever I do, my life will forever be influenced by this year."
| Sabrina - Interim student, wasn't accepted by her top-tier college choices despite a stellar academic and extracurricular record. Although initially disheartened and gun-shy, she reapplied to Brown University during her gap year and was accepted the second time around. |
"Kentucky provided me with a real education...I spent six weeks volunteering for a health system...and serving outlying areas through health clinics. My work included splitting wood, making rounds to clinics, teaching retarded adults and helping out in various departments of (the hospital.) New ideas about feminism, human relations and Appalachia changed my perceptions. I improved my listening skills, became more concerned with others, and opened my heart to the area. Just the difference in language between suburban New York and the mountains of Appalachia consumed me...Taking a year off finally allowed me to feel and grow. My outlook on life has changed and emotional energy fills my recent memories. I've felt enough pain and love in the last few months to make up for the dullness I often felt at Cornell."
| David - Interim student, successful
transfer applicant to Oberlin College |
"My Interim time has been invaluable in shaping me to be the person I am today. My performance in high school was only average in anything but art. In applying to Skidmore my grades will help me none. But in speaking with professors and admission representatives I realize that the person I am trying to sell them, who I am, is not the same person that got those mediocre marks in high school. I have dreams, desires, and direction and owe their discovery to my Center for Interim Programs Gap-Year experience."
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