Princeton and York University launch Gap Year programmes

As demand for Gap Year experiences grows in the U.S. and Canada, leading Universities Princeton (New Jersey, USA) and York (Toronto, Canada) have become the first to launch specific Gap Year Programmes. As cultures and economies around the world slowly take on a more ‘singular’ feel, many U.S. Universities in particular feel that international experience and a greater global awareness may prove vital credentials for their graduates who are often accused of a limited world view. As a result the value of a gap year spent travelling or volunteering overseas after high school is becoming widely accepted by a growing number of Universities.

Princeton will accommodate student’s desire for overseas travel by formalising the gap year with a new programme that enables students to pursue a year of international public service before joining campus life. Financial assistance will be offered to students unable to bear the financial cost. Princeton is being applauded for its attempt to cultivate a more well-rounded college experience and also for extending the gap year opportunity from the wealthy to the less well off.

York University is the first North American University to adopt a Gap Year entry deferral system similar to the established UK version, holding over accepted places for those who wish to take a gap year. Their aim is to integrate this into an attractive package of pre-entry options promoted by York to increase applications of the best quality candidates and to improve conversion from offer of place to acceptance.

Tom Griffiths, Founder of gapyear.com says
"Interest in gap years in North America is really taking off, fuelled by online advice sites and social networks which make the options easy to understand and also give users access to gappers who have taken gap years before them. Universities and high schools are responding. Having recognised the value of constructive gap years and monitored the growth in demand many are looking at the UK model and are now developing programmes and internal systems which formalise the gap year, bringing it into their admissions process. Clearly a channel to quality students who mature as a result and add value to the University, it is only a matter of time until Harvard and the other top Universities follow suit and adopt what is a standard model in the UK."

PRINCETON AND THE U.S.: MORE DETAIL

Princeton's President, Shirley Tilghman, said in an interview with the New York Times that "the program would be used to afford incoming students an international experience and a chance to mature while free from academic pressures".

Gaby Wilkerson, a prospective Princeton student who hopes to gain enrolment into the program, said "she's excited about the potential opportunity. "Going and doing social work or getting real-life experience before entering college not only would benefit me but would add to the intellectual diversity of a campus,"

YORK AND CANADA: MORE DETAILS
York University has included the gap year deferred entry into a unique marketing package that includes covering the costs of students to make campus open days and hand delivering offers. This personal touch to entry, in a more competitive marketplace, is already paying dividends. The Gap Year will attract those who are keen to travel, volunteer or work during their gap year before starting university. The first University in Canada to hold an accepted place for a year, similar to the UK University deferral process, York are going a step further by creating a special website to keep their gappers connected to the University during their year. Gap year students will be able to post travelogues, photos and network with one another. Scholarships and government-approved international work opportunities will also be offered.

David Huckvale, York's recruitment director, said "We recruit around the world, and we're well aware how common the gap year is in the U.K. and Australia as a way to let kids get a little more seasoned before they begin university"