I’m very interested in taking a “half-gap”, meaning half of a gap year after I graduate senior year, which I will be doing in Spring of 2016. Middlebury College offers this program called a “Febmester”, where students begin their freshmen year in February after travelling or volunteering for the time leading up to that point. Febmester students will then graduate four years later in February. This program is absolutely ideal, but extremely selective… I was wondering if anyone knew of any schools that offer programs similar to this one? (Meaning half gaps for incoming freshmen)
Some schools have spring admission and offer study abroad trips for the first semester. I’m not sure if that is exactly what you want but I know people who have done this at Brandeis, WashU, and Skidmore. I’m not sure if you can request to be part of such a program or if they just offer it to you. Other than that couldn’t you just apply to schools that offer spring admission?
My friend who will be attending Colby is taking a half gap year in Spain! I’m not sure if she requested it or if the school told her she had to do it, though. For many schools a spring start is something the school will have you do, not something you request.
Have you considered Innovation Academy at University of Florida? It’s a little different than what you’re looking for, but might be of interest to you.
Some schools offer spring admission at the school’s choice. Applicants do not specifically apply for the spring start. This is presumably a capacity management measure, since fall semester would otherwise be more heavily enrolled than the spring semester (due to students graduating a semester early or late).
Not sure how it gets read if an applicant to such a school writes in the essay that s/he specifically wants to start in the spring.
However, at the selectivity level that is realistic for a student with a 3.1 HS GPA, you may be able to find schools where you can apply specifically to start in the spring semester, although this may be less common for frosh than for transfers.