The so called “gap year” was largely unheard of when I was considering college way back in 1975. Sure, some high school graduates from affluent families took a year between high school and college to travel, and others took a year to work for the Peace Corps or other humanitarian organizations. But the steady increase in young people taking a gap year is a relatively new phenomenon. And now we find ourselves in the summer of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, with many four year colleges and universities rethinking their plans to have students back for in-person learning in just a few short weeks
With the uncertainty surrounding the opening of colleges and universities in the fall, many four-year students and their parents are questioning the experience and expense of attending college from home. Spending tens of thousands of dollars to learn online is not likely how they envisioned embracing their newfound independence.
In his April 28 blog, Inside Higher Ed writer Matt Reed discusses the merits of “The Visiting Year,” during which students committed to a four year college attend community college rather than taking a gap year after high school. With many student’s academic plans upended by the pandemic, it’s an idea worth considering.
“A survey of more than 2,000 college-bound seniors released (in April) by a higher education research and marketing company, SimpsonScarborough, found that one out of 10 students who planned to go to a residential four-year college before the pandemic have changed their plans,” Elizabeth Redden wrote in a May 4 Inside Higher Ed article. “Nearly half of these students plan to attend a community college, and about a third plan to enroll in an online college.”
Students are attracted to the idea of a gap year for many reasons, including resume enhancement, exploring different occupations and possibly making some money.
But with travel options limited, and hands-on volunteer work unlikely, the gap year experience will also be impacted by the pandemic. Gap years can be expensive. Even more so if you enter into it without specific goals in mind. Why not get a year of general ed classes under your belt instead?
“The visiting year offers a chance to reduce the cost of college and stay on track for on-time graduation,” Reed says.
At Peninsula College, we never closed; instead, we pivoted to fully online/remote learning in March. We’ve been doing online/virtual learning successfully for well over a decade: in fact, several Associates degrees, and our Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management, can be completed entirely in a remote learning mode. Our tuition is reasonable, financial aid is available, and we offer a wide range of general education courses that are guaranteed to transfer to four year universities. We are open and ready to help you meet your goals. Apply, meet with one of our advisors, and enroll.
Don’t sit this fall term out. Keep your momentum going and get rolling on your college degree with small classes and affordable tuition. There’s more to life than playing Halo on the sofa. Start earning credits toward your degree now, and transition to the university experience when life returns to normal. Instead of a Gap Year, join us for a Pirate Year.
-Dr. Luke Robins, PC President
