New Gap Year Policy

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tulane University
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<p>For those that might be considering a gap year, this is Tulane's new policy. Given the overenrollment, I wouldn't think they would mind losing those students too much, but I do understand that once one has planned for something it is better to have the reality match the plans.</p>

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<p>Tulane</a> creates new application process for gap year students - The Tulane Hullabaloo : News</p>

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<p>“Typically, 20 to 25 students ask for gaps years, usually to participate in organized student programs,” Tydlaska said."</p>

<p>What type organized gap year programs are they talking about. I truly believe my son would benefit from a well organized gap year. The maturity during that one year could only help. Does Tulane sanction any such programs?</p>

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<p>Here is a resource on the Tulane website of which I was unaware until now. Pretty interesting.</p>

<p>[Tulane</a> University - gap year resources](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/advising/prehealth/timeline/gap.cfm]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/advising/prehealth/timeline/gap.cfm)</p>

<p>I saw another mentioned in a story about a Newcomb Scholar called Thinking Beyond Borders. I am sure there are many, many more that are highly worthwhile. Here is another resource site that looks useful: <a href=“Lynnfield Public Schools - Lynnfield Public Schools”>Lynnfield Public Schools - Lynnfield Public Schools;

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<p>I did a gap year in 2009-2010 through AFS Intercultural Programs, which is the world’s leading exchange organization. I had already studied abroad with them in Panama and we had hosted and volunteered for them as a family, so I automatically turned to them when I knew I wanted to do a gap year. I decided to spend a year abroad in the Netherlands, where I went to an additional year of high school. But the formal education aspect was the least of it all: the experience was about maturing and exploring, I learned to rely on myself, something which made my transition to Tulane all the more exciting and at the same time easy. Currently I am an IR and French major and I will be in Paris this fall studying at Sciences Po, an experience I am ready to tackle head on and have the tools to succeed in because of my gap year. Fellow students from my high school, which is well respected nationwide, took gap years from Yale, Georgetown, and UNC Chapel Hill to pursue experiences with AFS. I just finished a 18 month internship with AFS. </p>

<p>I don’t know if I feel the fee is the smartest idea, but I get the reasoning I suppose. Most schools simply pay more attention to their gap year students. More in-depth explanation beforehand is needed to take the year and Yale required my friend to write to them half way through to update them on his progress. Steps like these may be more beneficial at encouraging students rather than scaring them from gap years. But hey, I know Jeff and I’ll take that up with him myself.</p>

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<p>is there the same policy for taking a leave of absence?</p>

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<p>No, that is different because an LOA only applies if you have already established yourself as a Tulane student. For example, my D is just finishing up her year of studying in China after 2 years at Tulane. She could have gone on the Tulane sponsored program, but because she received a grant from the Chinese government that paid for everything but her airfare, she instead took an LOA. This had the advantage of not only saving money, but it also preserved her DHS for another year, giving her the option of staying at Tulane 2 more years if she wants, even though she could easily graduate after Spring 2013. The disadvantage is that because she isn’t an officially registered student at Tulane this year, there was a bit more paperwork and communication required to insure she got registered for classes this fall as well as getting her National Merit scholarship back in place. But that all actually went pretty smoothly.</p>