Interested in USA Gap Year Programs

I'm thinking about doing a gap year program within the USA. Does anyone have recommendations for programs that offer unique experiences or skill-building opportunities? I'm looking to make the most out of this time before starting college.

Absolutely, the rise of gap year programs has provided students with a plethora of diverse experiences and opportunities. It's crucial to identify what you're most interested in exploring during this period. Here are a few options:

1. City Year - This program is part of the AmeriCorps network, where students spend the year working as tutors and mentors in under-resourced schools. It's excellent if you're keen on education, community service, or social work.

2. Global Citizen Year - Their US-based "Fellows" program is a leadership development course where you’ll spend 8 months working with a non-profit and taking college-accredited coursework. The program is designed for students interested in making an impact and developing their potential.

3. National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) - For outdoor enthusiasts, NOLS has various programs that focus on leadership skills and environmental ethics in wilderness environments in different parts of the country.

4. Outward Bound USA - it's primarily an outdoor leadership program, but it also focuses on personal growth and self-reliance.

Remember, these are just a few of the many options available. Make sure to deeply consider the skills you're aiming to develop, the experiences you want to have, and, of course, the costs involved before deciding on a program.

Finally, it's important to verify with the universities you're interested in that they accept gap year students. Some universities are more flexible with gap year students than others, so make sure to do your research and inform the colleges of your plans during the application process.