Gap Year Resources
If you are not quite ready to commit to a career or graduate program, wish to gain experience and new skills, or want to give back through service - a gap year might be for you. Gap years can be filled with a wide variety of experiences such as a short-term job, internship, volunteer program, or other learning opportunity in the US or abroad. Some gap year programs are paid or offer a stipend while others may have fees to participate.
Visit Loyola's National Fellowships Office for support applying for fellowships, scholarships, summer programs, and awards funded by the federal government or major foundations.
Arts
Business
Community, Leadership, & Social Justice
Education & Au Pair
- JET Japan Exchange & Teaching Program
- Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Programs
- Teaching Assistant Program in France
- North American Language and Culture Assistants in Spain
- Teach for America
- City Year
- AmeriCorps
- Knowles Teaching Fellows (STEM)
- NYC Teaching Fellows
- TNTP Teaching Fellows
- Au Pair.com
- International Au Pair Association
- Au Pair World
Environmental
Faith Based
- Jesuit Volunteer Corps
- Lutheran Volunteer Corps
- Mercy Volunteer Corps
- Catholic Volunteer Network
- Jewish Service Corps
- Jewish Organizing Fellowship
- Quaker Voluntary Service
- Christian Appalachian Project
- Good Shepherd Volunteers
- Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry
- Amate House
- Annunciation House
- Mercy Ships
Government & Public Policy
Preparing for Medical School
Many students take time off to prepare for medical school. You can use this time to prepare for the MCAT, or gain experience in research, health care, or service. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has a list of postbaccalaureate programs, a guide to finding ways to get experience in the medical field, and tips on getting research experience.
Be sure to visit the Gap Year Ideas and Work Resources page of the Pre-Health Programs website to learn more and access lists of potential jobs, service programs, and post-baccalaurate programs.
Certifications and Microcredentials
A gap year can provide time to earn microcredentials - short courses or certificates than demonstrate your competency in specific skills. They can help you showcase your skills and improve employability. This may be particularly helpful if you don't have much experience in your field or are making a shift to a different industry than you studied.
Loyola offers alumni a discount for ASPIRE, our online training, professional development workshop, and virtual coaching program. Other online platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Udacity are good sources as well.