<p>I've recently been considering a gap year after high school. I was wondering if any of you had experience (personally, or through your children) of doing Americorps for just under a year. I would be doing an Americorps National/State program, since I'm only a high school graduate. </p>
<p>However, I have a ton of questions.</p>
<p>Was it a useful experience (and how so)?</p>
<p>I'm primarily interested in expanding my leadership skills and real-world experience. Does this program help with that? (I know that there a re a bunch of different programs, though)</p>
<p>One problem is that I have limited experience with community service (mostly, I volunteered as a school tutor and as a debate judge). However, that's actually one reason this program seems interesting: to allow me some exploration. Do they accept people with no work experience/limited community service?</p>
<p>I'm interested in doing a program that's away from home. However, few programs provide housing, instead providing a "living allowance." Is this enough for housing? On a related note, is there a lot of interaction with fellow volunteers, in order to possibly find a roommate?</p>
<p>As a a side benefit, I know that colleges that rejected me probably would not admit me after a gap year. However, would this kind of program be a benefit for a possible transfer? And would colleges whose acceptances I turned down likely re-admit me? Note that this really is not my primary reason for doing this program, but it is a helpful possibility.</p>