Summer & Gap Year Opportunities for High School Students
Why do a summer program?
Explore your academic interests, gain hands-on experience, learn more about you as a person all while better preparing yourself to find your best college fit! Summer programs are important because they allow you to continue learning and are a great way to demonstrate college readiness. Find listings in the weekly Counseling Update.
What exactly is a Gap Year?
Gap years are a period of intentional "time off" from formal education typically for experiential learning and personal growth. Students can explore careers, travel, or save money for higher education during a gap year, which typically lasts 12 months. Proponents say teens who use the break to broaden their horizons are better prepared and more focused once they arrive at college.
A growing number of colleges actively encourage admitted students to take a gap year—as long the time is spent in a meaningful way.
USA Gap Year Fair
What are USA Gap Year Fairs?
USA Gap Year Fairs is a national circuit of events that bring together reputable Gap Year organizations, interested students and parents, high school college counselors, and the Gap Year experts. These events are designed to provide students with a broad array of Gap Year Programs and the opportunity for face to face conversations with the people who work in the field. For students and parents interested in Gap Year, these fairs are the legitimate source to connect with reputable organizations that focus on education, service, and personal growth.
The fairs are designed for a population of students who share a variety of interests, who come from diverse financial backgrounds, and who are interested in pursuing a wide array of professional fields.
USAGYF also feature a speaker at each event who provides an interactive approach to Gap Year and the variety of offerings. There is a question and answer session with each speaker so that interested students and parents can learn about the entire Gap Year process; from applications, to deferring freshman year, to re-entering college when they return. Find dates for the 2026 USA Gap Year Fairs.