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POST-GRADUATE OR "INTERIM" YEARS

There is often a strong case to be made for taking a year off between high school and college. An interim year can be a chance to reflect more deeply on what one wants from a college education. If the prospect of college seems like one more step in a mechanical process, perhaps a year off would bring enthusiasm and a sense of purpose to the college experience. College life is full of possibility but that precious time can be wasted on students who are not yet fully ready for the experience. Most colleges will allow an accepted student to defer, and colleges have been known to accept a student that they previously rejected after a particularly successful interim year.

Several of the programs listed in our "Summer Programs" page, such as AFS, CIEE and "Where There Be Dragons," have options for postgraduate students. Rotary International has substantial scholarship money that can make a yearlong experience virtually cost free. For Spanish students, there is an intensive 14-week program in Barcelona called El Casal that is specifically designed for interim students. Run by a former SYA Spain director, it offers a rich program of academic and extra-curricular possibilities to small group of students.

There are also a number of organizations that, for a fee, will help students find a program that fits their interests. These could include backpacking in the Himalayas, working for an international humanitarian association, taking academic course work or working abroad. One source is the Center for Interim Programs, run by Cornelius Bull at www.interimprograms.com. Another interesting site for those who want to design their own year was created by Phillips Andover for their graduating seniors. It contains roughly 400 options and web sites that contain information on both summer and yearlong programs, along with the names of professionals who are ready to assist you if asked. Look at www.andover.edu/summerops/intyear.