<p>We read with interest that Elon University is offering for the first time a GAP semester. It intrigued both my son and I in its structure as well as the ability to get credit for the experience. Does anyone know other colleges that offer a GAP semester for partial credit during Freshman Year? Does anyone have experience themselves in participating in such a program. How is it transitioning to college late in Freshman year? Can you make up the credits that you missed by picking up extra courses or taking a summer term so that you can graduate in 4 years? Would love to hear both positive and negative opinions about participating in such a program and what colleges offer this program.</p>
<p>Some colleges admit freshman to start in the spring semester, but that is the school’s choice, as opposed to the student’s choice. The likely reason is to load balance the enrollment – normally, there are more students in the fall than in the spring, due to early or late graduations, so a school may be overcapacity in the fall but with wasted extra capacity in the spring.</p>
<p>You mean like co-op programs? Northeastern has one and I know there are others out there. [Experiential</a> Education > How Co-op Works](<a href=“http://www.northeastern.edu/experiential-learning/coop/howcoopworks/]Experiential”>http://www.northeastern.edu/experiential-learning/coop/howcoopworks/)</p>
<p>Syracuse has a Florence program in arts and sci for freshman year fall; students’ choice</p>
<p>I know about colleges where students can opt to defer their start to 2nd semester Freshman year. However, it is up to the student to decide what he or she will do for the gap semester such as working, traveling, volunteer service. What’s exciting about the new Elon Gap Semester is that this is a structured program designed by Elon for Elon Students during what would be their first semester. It combines Leadership Training, Volunteer Service and travel and from what I understand you can get up to 8 credits for participating in this program. I think this is a wonderful concept and I was wondering if other colleges have set up a structured program such as this.</p>