7 Gap Year Ideas to Impress Top Colleges

Gap Year Ideas to Impress Top Colleges

So you’re considering taking a gap year and have started looking for some gap year ideas. If this sounds like you, then you’re in the right place! From volunteering to traveling to studying abroad, TeenLife’s got plenty of amazing gap year suggestions for you to explore.

If you’re still on the fence about taking a gap year, don’t worry. Deciding to take a gap year after high school is a big decision. What’s more, it can be especially intimidating if you don’t already have some ideas in mind.

However, one thing’s for sure: taking a gap year can be extremely rewarding—and beneficial in the college admissions process. In this article, we’ll explore the two biggest questions students have about gap years: “Should I take a gap year?” and “What should I do during a gap year?” We’ll also cover:  

• Why gap years are a popular choice among students
• Gap year pros and cons to consider
• Our top 7 ideas for what to do in a gap year
• How to choose a great gap year program
• Making the most of your gap year
• What doing a gap year means for your college applications

Throughout, you’ll find plenty of great gap year ideas to impress college admissions teams. But first, let’s go over what a gap year is and why you might want to take one.

Is a Gap Year Right for Me?

With so many great gap year ideas out there, it’s no surprise plenty of students choose to take a gap year. Gap years offer a unique opportunity for students to pursue experiences outside of the classroom. 

So, how do you know if a gap year is the right choice for you and your future? To start, you need to understand what a gap year is.

What is a gap year?

A gap year is a planned break from formal education. Typically, students will decide to take a gap year after high school, meaning they won’t go straight to college.

As you might be able to guess, a gap year is typically the length of an academic year. During this time, students might commit to a single, long-term gap year program. Alternatively, they might pursue multiple ideas for gap years, combining different programs and experiences. Since there are no set requirements for what to do in a gap year, there are no limitations when brainstorming ideas for a gap year.

Why take a gap year?

Many students exploring gap year suggestions wonder, why take a gap year when you can go directly to college? Some just view gap years as a means to check off extracurricular activities, but they’re actually so much more.

A gap year is a chance to learn more about yourself and grow as an individual through rewarding and challenging experiences. In fact, many gap year suggestions are meant to help students prepare to enter college with more confidence and maturity. Depending on your particular goals, you may be interested in ideas for gap years that focus on gaining work experience. You might also focus on building cultural awareness, improving language skills, or giving back to the community.

Should I take a gap year?

With so many ideas for a gap year to consider, taking a gap year might feel like a big unknown. However, if you don’t feel strongly about any particular college or major, rushing into college may not be the best choice either. Exploring different ideas for a gap year is a great way to learn about opportunities you may not even know existed!

As you explore different ideas for a gap year, remember gap year suggestions are just that: suggestions. Whether or not gap year suggestions seem like the right thing for you will depend on your particular interests, goals, and circumstances. 

Gap Years are Growing

Recently, it seems more and more students across the country are taking the time to explore gap year ideas. While the percentage is still relatively small, around 2-3%, that still translates to thousands of students taking gap years every year.

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schooling at every level, many students chose to take time off. At that time, one of the main reasons was to avoid remote learning. Even though this is no longer a driving factor, plenty of students are still planning to take a gap year. Why? Because gap years provide a unique opportunity for students to reflect on their goals, explore different interests, and gain real-world experience. 

Some top colleges actively encourage taking a gap year, meaning they full-heartedly support delaying your start to college. Ivy League colleges in particular have been known to support students interested in exploring gap year ideas. For instance, Harvard reports that each year 90–130 of their admitted students choose to defer their admission. (If you’re interested in a student’s perspective on why take a gap year, check out this article from a Harvard student.)

Applying to schools then deferring your admission is a great way to set yourself up for success after your gap year. Alternatively, you might also choose to postpone your college applications altogether. For some students, waiting to apply can help them build their college resume and make them a more attractive candidate. Additionally, if you’re struggling to choose a university or field of study, you can use your gap year to explore your options.

Considering Gap Year Pros and Cons

While there are certainly benefits to doing a gap year, it’s just as important to consider potential challenges. Before you start comparing different gap year ideas, let’s discuss important gap year pros and cons and what they mean for you.

Why Take a Gap Year: Pros

The best ideas for gap years provide opportunities for students to develop their skills and explore their interests. This includes important soft skills such as independence, problem-solving, communication, adaptability, and leadership. Certain programs may also teach you specific skills related to your intended career or area of study.

As most ideas for gap years expose you to new communities and cultures, you’ll also be sure to expand your worldview. Interacting with people who have different backgrounds and beliefs can help you learn more about yourself and the wider world.

While some might view the open-ended nature of a gap year as a negative, try thinking of it as a positive! After all, what is a gap year if not a journey of self-discovery? No matter which gap year suggestions you end up pursuing, you’ll certainly have the opportunity to grow. Ideally, you’ll come out the other side with a better understanding of who you are, what you value, and what your goals are.

Taking a Gap Year: Cons

Now let’s talk about some potential drawbacks of taking gap year suggestions. While a gap year is a planned delay to your academic career, you may face unforeseen hurdles when returning to school. For instance, if you have trouble completing your applications on time, you may run the risk of missing deadlines. Missed deadlines can mean having to wait until the following year to apply, further delaying your academic plans. 

Furthermore, after being away from school for a period of time, you might run the risk of losing your academic momentum. When you do eventually return to college, you may find you’ve lost some of your study habits. You may also find the rigor of your coursework to be particularly challenging.

Additionally, you’ll need to consider the financial implications of different gap year programs. Some have a higher price tag than others, so you will need to make a plan for funding your gap year. However, remember that budgeting is also part of any college plan, so don’t let finances stop you from exploring potential gap year ideas!

Weighing the pros and cons

Hopefully, these gap year pros and cons have helped give you a better idea of what doing a gap year actually means. Let’s go back to the question, “Should I take a gap year?” The answer is that it really depends on your situation and goals. If the pros outweigh the cons for you, then a gap year might be exactly what you’re looking for.

At this point, we’ve talked a lot about what a gap year is and why some students decide to take one. If you’re still at a total loss for what to do in a gap year, keep reading. We’ve got plenty of gap year suggestions coming your way.

Exploring Different Gap Year Ideas

What is a gap year for? In short, anything you want! Self-direction is at the heart of any gap year, meaning how you fill your gap year is completely up to you.

Popular gap year suggestions often include a mix of volunteering, internships, cultural immersion, and adventure programs. You can also look into earning college credit during your gap year. If you’re interested in seeing the world, many ideas for a gap year include traveling abroad. However, you can also find gap year suggestions that are closer to home.

Some universities even offer their own gap year suggestions and resources, including full programs like Princeton University’s Novogratz Bridge Year Program. However, it’s important to note that school-sponsored gap year suggestions are only available to admitted students who have deferred their admission.

As you explore different ideas for gap years, remember not all gap year ideas are created equal. This specifically applies to students who are planning to eventually apply to and attend college. In this context of college admissions, you should look for gap year programs that will add value to your application. When reviewing gap year suggestions, ask yourself: What gap year ideas will enhance my college resume?

7 Best Gap Year Ideas

With all the gap year suggestions out there, it can be challenging to come up with concrete gap year ideas you’re excited about. To help get you started, here are seven great ideas for gap years to consider:

#1: Community service

This is a great opportunity to do something meaningful with your gap year by getting involved. Whether you’re staying local or traveling to a new country, service is a great way to learn and grow while giving back.

#2: Internships

In college, internships are considered great extracurricular activities for resume building—so why not get an internship under your belt before you go? If finances are an issue, you can specifically look for paid experiences.

#3: Language immersion

Learning a new language is a lifelong skill that can help you build connections and enhance your resume. Immersion programs are often built around homestays and structured courses, giving you a well-rounded learning experience.

#4: Cultural exchange

A cultural exchange program can teach you more about the world through hands-on experience. Living in another country, you can expect to learn the traditions, language, and values of another culture while developing important personal skills.

#5: Adventure programs

This is another great way to see more of the world while challenging yourself. Adventure travel often involves combining hiking, backpacking, or extreme sports with volunteer projects.

#6: Skill development

You can use your gap year to develop specific skills—and no, they don’t have to be related to your major. Rather than committing to four years, you can explore opportunities in everything from photography to culinary arts to sound engineering.

#7: Travel abroad

A gap year is the perfect opportunity to see more of the world while pursuing worthwhile experiences. Traveling is a broad category that can be combined with a variety of gap year ideas for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If you’re looking for something specific, you can search our extensive collection of gap year suggestions by category, destination, length, cost, and more!

Choosing the Best Gap Year Program for you

With so many great gap year ideas out there, how does anyone decide what to do in a gap year? To start, you’ll want to ask yourself which gap year suggestions align with your personal goals and interests. Think about your desired outcomes for your gap year and how certain gap year programs can help you achieve them.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of gap year ideas, be sure to research each individual program on your list. Consider the reputation of the program, and be sure to read different reviews and testimonials. While some gap year suggestions might sound exciting in theory, you should get a realistic idea of what the program’s actually like.

Finally, be sure to examine the logistics of the program, including duration, location, cost, and funding options. As you research your gap year ideas, consider making a list of gap year pros and cons for each program. Then, you can compare the relative benefits and drawbacks of different gap year ideas and find the best one for you.

Getting Started Planning your Gap Year

Deciding what to do in a gap year is a big decision. However, coming up with a plan to realistically pursue ideas for a gap year is crucial to making the most of your time. 

Here are five basic steps to help you make ideas for gap years a reality:

1. Set clear objectives.

2. Explore different gap year suggestions.

3. Research specific programs. 

4. Budget and plan your finances. 

5. Create a timeline, including any important deadlines for your college applications.

Understandably, plans can change, and it’s likely your gap year ideas will evolve over time. However, you can make your gap year a success by starting on the right foot. That is to say, you should begin with a clear idea of your goals and how you’ll achieve them.

Documenting your Gap Year

As we’ve mentioned, one of the main benefits of taking a gap year is learning more about yourself. Documenting your gap year ideas in action can help you capture the positives and negatives of your experiences and reflect on your growth.

You’ll also want to keep a detailed record of your extracurricular activities for resume purposes. When applying to future opportunities and jobs, you’ll know exactly what you did, what you learned, and what skills you acquired. Some programs will even help you prepare portfolios to showcase your work and achievements.

Journals, blogs, or social media are great ways to document your gap year. And who knows—by sharing your experiences, you might even give friends and family some ideas for a gap year of their own!

Applying to College during a Gap Year

If your ideas for a gap year include applying to college, you’ll need to plan ahead. Whether you’re eyeing Ivy League colleges or your local community college, get familiar with deadlines and the application process.

Regular Decision college applications are typically due at the beginning of January. So, when considering different gap year suggestions, you’ll want to consider how timing will impact your college applications. For example, if your program starts in June, you’ll have six months of experience to reflect upon in your college applications. The later you start, the fewer experiences you may have to leverage in your applications.

Additionally, you’ll need to make a plan for actually completing your applications. If you’re doing a full-time program, you may struggle to juggle work, volunteering, and travel with writing essays and gathering application materials. Working with a college counselor is one option for students who need extra guidance and support to stay on track.

As you build your list of gap year ideas, you should also consider how certain activities will impact your applications. For instance, taking classes to continue your education can certainly help build out your college resume. At the same time, taking credit courses may accidentally qualify you as a transfer applicant vs. first-year applicant. Do your research and be sure you’re only pursuing gap year ideas that align with your college goals.

Gap Year Ideas - The Main Takeaways

As you consider your options after high school, consider throwing some gap year ideas into the mix. Certainly, deciding not to go straight to college after high school can feel intimidating. However, you might be surprised by how accessible, rewarding, and exciting many gap year ideas actually are.

Many public, private, and Ivy League colleges alike encourage students to explore ideas for gap years and consider their potential benefits. As you come up with different ideas for a gap year, be sure to consider both the pros and the cons. On the one hand, plenty of ideas for gap years will help you feel more prepared for college and life beyond school. On the other hand, you need to understand what it takes to turn ideas for a gap year into an actionable plan. This includes accounting for the potential challenges you may face returning to school.

Instead of asking “Should I take a gap year?” and worrying about making a right or wrong decision, trust your instincts. Attending college is a big commitment, both financially and emotionally. So, why not take a year to try adapting to new environments, managing your time effectively, and taking on more responsibility for your future?

There are plenty of gap year suggestions out there for every kind of student. As you research different ideas for gap years, be sure to check out TeenLife’s extensive collection of amazing Gap Year Programs! You can explore different categories of gap year ideas, from community service to outdoor adventures and more.