|
|
|
|
|
|
JANUARY 2013
Missed the Gap Year Presentation in Denver on January 10? Read on for a summary of the evening.
Marion Taylor MSW, Founder and Owner of the independent gap year consulting business, Taylor The Gap LLC, bookended her college years with a year in Grenoble, France and three years with Peace Corps in Senegal, West Africa. Her two eldest children also took time out in South Africa and India. As an ardent believer in gap years, Marion provided the audience, comprised of students, parents, teachers, and college advisors, with a brief history of the gap year concept. She pointed out the benefits to taking time out and addressed common concerns. She explained that the majority of colleges today, both locally and outside Colorado, look favorably upon the gap year. In fact, colleges recognize that students gain maturity and focus.
Bob Clagett, former Dean of Admissions at Middlebury College and Harvard College (NYTimes The Choice, “As Jan. 1 Application Deadline Nears, an Argument for a Yearlong Breather”, 1/27/11) indicated that students who took a gap year had a clear pattern of higher G.P.A.’s throughout all four years of college. Steps in planning a gap year or semester were provided with an overview of the various types of opportunities. Marion emphasized that by taking this risk, students benefit by gaining a lifelong foundation of values, confidence, direction, and purpose. Six gapper panelists from Colorado College, Claremont, CSU, and Tufts as well as 4 parents of gappers spoke about their own experiences and how it impacted their current education and lives.
American Gap Association
New resource available for potential gappers and parents! Check out American Gap Association at www.americangap.org. Their mission is "to advocate for accessibility to Gap Year education through meaningful accreditation of safe and quality organizations, and the proliferation of Gap Year Scholarships. The AGA is primarily focused on increasing the notoriety of Gap Years and their benefit within the American educational system. While a Gap Year is not for everyone, we do believe that in principle, everyone can stand to learn and grow from taking one."
Contact Marion with your Gap Year Questions!
Taylor The Gap, LLC
Marion Taylor, MSW
303-588-2630
www.taylorthegap.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
