Taking a gap year before college can have several benefits for students who want to explore their personal and professional interests, travel, work, or volunteer. Gap year students can also earn College credit while working abroad. Some students have earned their Bachelors in as little as 6 months. Here are some of the main points to know about taking a gap year:
Benefits of taking a gap year
- Improve college performance: Taking a year off before college can help you take your future education more seriously. Having the time to reflect allows you to perform better and fully appreciate your education when you return. You can also use the break to strengthen your skills so you feel more prepared for advanced studies when you return to college.
- Consider your interests: When you take a gap year or semesters off, especially during your college studies, you have more time to consider what field of study you want to pursue. Some students don’t find their passion until after they’ve paid for their education. When this happens, they may not enter the workforce in a job they’re truly interested in or they may return to school for a new degree that better aligns with their interests, which requires paying more for their education overall. Spending time figuring out your interests during your gap year after high school or during college can help you make a more informed, strategic decision about your future.
- Travel: Taking a gap year gives you the opportunity to travel. Whether you volunteer or work abroad, traveling lets you live in another country and experience different cultures. You also get to learn new languages, meet new people, try new foods and understand how different parts of the world operate. Having this kind of experience can even help you with future job interviews. Employers may value candidates with multicultural experience or multilingual skills.
- Gain work experience: Taking a gap year can also help you gain valuable work experience that can boost your resume and career prospects. You can find a part-time or full-time job in your field of interest, or explore different industries and roles that appeal to you. Working during your gap year can also help you save money for college or pay off some of your student loans.
- Learn independence: Taking a gap year can also help you develop important life skills such as independence, responsibility, adaptability, and problem-solving. You will learn how to manage your time, budget, and resources, as well as how to deal with challenges and uncertainties that may arise during your gap year. These skills can help you succeed in college and beyond.
Earning College Credit
Language Credit
There are different ways that students can earn college credit for foreign language during or after their gap year. Here are some of the most common methods:
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The CLEP is a series of exams offered by The College Board that allow students to demonstrate their mastery of college-level material in various subjects. The CLEP offers exams in three languages: Spanish, French, and German. For $89 each (excluding administrative fees charged by the testing center), a single exam can earn you up to 9 credits toward your chosen degree program, depending on your score and the college’s policy.
New York University’s Foreign Language Proficiency Exams
New York University (NYU) offers their own foreign language testing in more than 50 languages and three examination options:
- A 12-point exam that tests three skills necessary for everyday communicative tasks: listening, reading, and writing. Up to 12 semester hours of credit may be awarded. Cost: $400, time: 2 hours.
- A 16-point exam includes the 12-point examination subject matter as well as an additional 350-word essay focused on a complex subject. Up to 16 semester hours of credit may be awarded. Cost: $500, time: 3 hours.
- A 4-point exam for students who initially completed the 12-point exam but later wish to be tested on the extended essay portion. You must have received a perfect score on your 12-point exam in order to be eligible for the 4-point exam. Cost: $150, time: 1 hour.
American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) Exams
The ACTFL OPI exam is a 20-30 minute one-on-one interview between the tester and the examinee, or through a carefully designed computer program, via a virtual avatar. The exam measures the examinee’s ability to speak a foreign language in various contexts and situations. The ACTFL OPI exam is offered in more than 120 languages and can earn you up to 12 credits depending on your score and the college’s policy. The cost varies depending on the language and the mode of delivery.
Defense Language Proficiency Tests (DLPT5)
The DLPT5 is a series of tests designed to measure the foreign language proficiency of native English speakers who work or intend to work for the U.S. Department of Defense or other federal agencies. The DLPT5 tests listening and reading skills in more than 70 languages and can earn you up to 12 credits depending on your score and the college’s policy. The cost is free for eligible candidates {current military, Fed employee or law enforcement}.
Torah Accreditation Liaison (TAL)
The TAL is a program that allows students who have studied Hebrew or Yiddish at an accredited yeshiva or seminary to earn college credit for their language skills. The TAL offers two types of exams: a Hebrew Language Proficiency Exam (HLPE) and a Yiddish Language Proficiency Exam (YLPE). The HLPE tests listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in Modern Hebrew and can earn you up to 16 credits depending on your score and the college’s policy. The YLPE tests listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in Yiddish and can earn you up to 12 credits depending on your score and the college’s policy. The cost is $250 per exam.
Advanced Placement (AP)
The AP is another program offered by The College Board that allows high school students to take college-level courses and exams in various subjects. The AP offers exams in five languages: Chinese, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. For $95 each (excluding administrative fees charged by the school), a single exam can earn you up to 9 credits toward your chosen degree program, depending on your score and the college’s policy.
College credit for job skills
There are different ways that students can earn college credit for their job skills during or after their gap year. Here are some of the most common methods:
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
A PLA is a process that evaluates a student’s prior learning from work, volunteer, military, or other experiences and awards college credit based on the demonstrated competencies and outcomes. Different colleges may have different PLA policies and procedures, but generally, students need to submit a portfolio of evidence that showcases their knowledge and skills in a specific subject area. The portfolio may include documents such as professional certifications, licenses, training records, work samples, performance evaluations, or letters of recommendation. The portfolio is then reviewed by a faculty member or an external evaluator who determines whether the student meets the learning objectives and criteria for the course or program. Depending on the college and the subject area, students may earn up to 30 credits or more through PLA.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The CLEP is a series of exams offered by The College Board that allow students to demonstrate their mastery of college-level material in various subjects. The CLEP offers exams in 34 subjects, covering topics such as business, composition, literature, history, mathematics, science, and foreign languages. For $89 each (excluding administrative fees charged by the testing center), a single exam can earn you up to 9 credits toward your chosen degree program, depending on your score and the college’s policy.
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
The DSST is another series of exams that allow students to earn college credit for what they have learned outside of the classroom. The DSST offers exams in 38 subjects, covering topics such as business, humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, technology, and health. For $85 each (excluding administrative fees charged by the testing center), a single exam can earn you up to 3 credits toward your chosen degree program, depending on your score and the college’s policy.
Advanced Placement (AP)
The AP is another program offered by The College Board that allows high school students to take college-level courses and exams in various subjects. The AP offers exams in 38 subjects, covering topics such as arts, English, history, mathematics, science, world languages, and computer science. For $95 each (excluding administrative fees charged by the school), a single exam can earn you up to 9 credits toward your chosen degree program, depending on your score and the college’s policy.
American Council on Education (ACE) Credit
The ACE is an organization that evaluates and recommends college credit for various learning experiences outside of traditional academic settings. These include military training and occupations, corporate training programs, professional certifications and licenses, online courses and MOOCs (massive open online courses), and other non-collegiate programs. Students can search for ACE-reviewed courses and programs on the ACE website and request an official transcript to be sent to their college for credit evaluation. Depending on the college and the program, students may earn up to 30 credits or more through ACE credit.
Earning your Bachelors in over 100 majors
Students used earned credits at Thomas Edison State University TESU, Southern New Hampshire University SNHU, Western Governors University WGU and many similiar Colleges. Who are known for their generous and flexible credit transfer policies. They also offer online and competency-based degree programs that cater to life learners. Free online courses, mentoring & creative workspaces can be very beneficial for learners who want to expand their knowledge and skills, as well as for those who want to earn a degree or advance their career. Working gap year provides them with hands-on and experiential learning that can complement or supplement the typical lecture style college course. It can also help them develop practical and transferable skills, as well as network and build relationships with potential employers or mentors.
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