Hi, everyone. Looking for any info or experience that you might have with programs like Gap Year at Sea (pros, cons, etc). Considering this option for my HS junior; he would still apply to colleges as a senior and then take the gap year between HS graduation and freshman year of college. Looking for a program to help him gain more independence, life experience, maturity, and, I guess, “people” skills. He’s not an experienced sailor, but loves the sea and is a hard worker. Thanks in advance.
To clarify, the gap year would be taking the year after HS graduation. Thanks.
There was a recent discussion about this, so try doing a search. Most people seemed to think it was basically a long party at sea.
Thanks, I searched but couldn’t find it. Any ideas? And…oh no! Very much want to avoid a party at sea!
Search for semester at sea. Loads of threads.
Thank you!
You don’t have to be an experienced sailor to do a semester at sea. It’s more like being on a cruise, and there is a crew who does that work.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1068817-semester-at-sea-is-it-worth-it.html
Wow. “The Floating Mattress” hahaha
If I were an employer, I think I’d shake my head. If I were a very selective college admissions officer, I’d question the thinking process of one of these participants.
If I were an admissions officer of a less selective college but wanted more full pay kids, I’d salivate at one of these applicants.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I checked out the links, and none of these programs are what I had in mind. I definately don’t want to send him on a booze cruise, though I wouldn’t mind him having some fun. Sea semester sounds good, but it’s much more academic than what I had in mind. I’m looking for more of a work experience at sea with some guided opportunities for cultural/ intellectual enrichment. Maybe he just needs to look for a job on a ship, since it wouldn’t be something he’d be doing for college credit/ prestige.
Why does he need to work on a ship??? Why does this need to be work experience at sea??
Have you considered looking at something like Americorps for the year? Or some other group community service type things?
@thumper1 – I just talked to a friend who had 2 kids try – and fail – to get Americorps positions. It’s gotten very competitive!
Americorps IS competitive. But it’s worth a try.
This kid could do some habitat to humanity projects, work in a soup kitchen. Any number of things.
I’m curious why this parent is seeking experiences at sea.
Semester at Sea is for college students, not for gap year students. The students are registered as students either at their home school or at a host school, much like a semester abroad. They take 12-15 credits (and pay tuition).
Hi everyone, thanks again for the feedback. @thumper1, he doesn’t have to work on a ship, but since we’re just beginning to consider a gap year, we thought we’d start with something that appeals to him ( he’s helped out on a friend’s boat a couple of times, really enjoyed it, doesn’t mind the physical labor, likes being at sea, liked the teamwork, etc…). Perhaps these aren’t strong enough reasons, but as I said, we’re just beginning to explore this idea, so I wanted to see if something like this is possible. Thanks for the Americorps suggestion; I’ll check it out.
@twoinanddone, yes, I checked out Semester at Sea and it looks like a great college program but not a gap - year thing.
Thanks, again for the feedback.
Check out National Outdoor Leadership School. I believe they have some programs that involve sailing.
Thanks, @compmom, I’ll check it out.
Here’s another option:
Guy who’s going to try to paddle 4600 miles across the Atlantic on a stand-up paddle board:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/sports/chris-bertish-paddleboard-crossing-atlantic-ocean.html
That trip account would make a helluva college essay…
LOL! It sure would, @MaelstromMonkey !!
He should apply to the Coast Guard, lots of opportunities to work at sea and no gap year needed. It is hard to get into but I don’t think you need any special connections (i.e.: no congressional letter).
My son just did Semester at Sea as a gap student. While people like to ridicule it, he had a wonderful time and saw the world at 18. There are not many gap students (but he roomed with another gap student), He did it last fall, the last cruise that UVA sponsored. He said the classes were not that challenging, but they had papers, tests and homework. He thought the experience was wonderful and he thought it has made him a ‘more mature’ college freshman. I often read these threads, but joined just to correct the error that Semester As Sea does not accept Gap Students. I do believe that the student has to be accepted into a college and able to defer. It is very expensive, but they do have financial aid.