Interim Year

 

 

 

Many students consider the idea of trying different kinds of learning for the year after high school. These can be students who have applied to college but are not ready to attend, or students who may apply to college for the first time after they have had a chance to explore more options for education focus.  Interim years can provide valuable skills in maturity, independent living, employment, community service, and/or travel. There are now many programs for interim years if students do not want to create their own structures.

 

Even if a student knows well ahead of time that an interim year is possible, we recommend going through the college application process during senior year and choosing a college. Then to defer, send the confirmation deposit before May1 along with a letter stating that you will enter college a year later. The deposit will hold your place.

 

Benefits

Colleges appreciate students who have taken an interim year because usually those students arrive on campus with experience, focus, and maturity that contributes positively to academic and social endeavors.

 

Risks

1) Colleges cannot extend their financial aid offers past the upcoming academic year, so parents need to reapply for financial aid during the interim year and there is a chance that the new financial aid offer will be different than the original one.

2) Some parents worry that if their student does not go straight to college, the motivation for going to college will diminish. That does happen sometimes. However, on the flip side, if a student is not ready to handle college but goes anyway and then drops out, there can be significant emotional and financial expenses.

 

We encourage families to consider the possibilities of an interim year, even if the student decides in the end to attend college right after high school.  The ability to consider options and then make the best choice is a life skill we want all our students to practice.

 

VSAC Pathfinder: Alternatives to College

(Refer to the VSAC website for updated/more information at www.vsac.org)

Books - Search our catalog online at http://follettweb.vsac.org/.Patrons may borrow books either
by coming to the Resource Center at the Champlain Mill in Winooski or by making an Interlibrary
Loan request through their local school or public library.

  • Alternative Travel Directory (2002). Call # 370.116 TAP
  • Alternatives To The Peace Corps: A Directory Of Third World And U.S. Volunteer Opportunities (2000). Call # 361.3 Lowenthal
  • Back Door Guide To Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Extraordinary Experiences, Seasonal Jobs, Volunteering, Work Abroad (2002). Call # 650.14 Landes
  • But What if I DonÕt Want To Go To College? A Guide To Success Through Alternative Education (1998). Call # 374.013 Unger
  • Choices For The High School Graduate (latest edition). Call # 373.18 Fireside
  • Great American Learning Vacations (1997). Call # 790.01 FodorÕs
  • How to Live Your Dreams of Volunteering Overseas (2002). Call # 361.37 Collins
  • International Workcamp Directory (2003). Call # 331.128 Volunteer
  • Directory of Overseas Summer Jobs: Your Complete Guide To Thousands Of Summer Employment Opportunities Abroad (2000). Call # 331.128 Woodworth
  • Other Ways To Win: Creating Alternatives for High School Graduates (2000). Call # 370.11 Gray
  • Peace Corps: The Great Adventure (1997). Call # 309.22 Peace
  • Sail Tall Ships! A Directory Of Sail Training And Adventure At Sea (1999). Call # 790.01 ASTA
  • Success Without College: College May Not be Right For Your Child, or Not Right Now (2000). Call # 373.12912 Lee
  • Taking Time Off: Inspiring Stories Of Students Who Enjoyed Successful Breaks From College And How You Can Plan Your Own (1996). Call # 378.1 Hall
  • Teaching English Abroad (2001). Call # 428.007 Griffith
  • The Teenage Liberation Handbook (1997). Call # 371.042 Llewellyn
  • The TeenagersÕ Guide To School Outside The Box (2001). Call # 373.2 Greene
  • The Uncollege Alternative: Your Guide To Incredible Careers And Amazing Adventures Outside College (2000). Call # 331.7 Wood
  • Volunteer America: A Comprehensive National Guide To Opportunities For Service, Training, And Work Experience (1997). Call # REF 361.37 Kipps
  • Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You And Others (2002). Call # 302.14 McMillon
  • Work Abroad: The Complete Guide To Finding A Job Overseas (2001). Call # 370.116 TAP
  • Yale Daily News Guide To Summer Programs (2001). Call # 790.1 Schwebel
  • YouÕre Certifiable: The Alternative Career Guide to More Than 700 Certificate Programs, Trade Schools, and Job Opportunities (1999). Call # 378.013 Natalfi

Web Links :

  • Americorps is the domestic Peace Corps; volunteers are eligible for an education award after one-yearÕs service -- www.americorps.org/
  • The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps is a private non-profit organization that hires young adults to complete conservation and park management projects on public lands in Vermont -- www.vycc.org/
  • The Center for Interim Programs enables people to pursue structured alternatives to formal education by matching clients' interests with over 3,000 internships, apprenticeships, volunteer positions, and cultural study programs worldwide -- www.interimprograms.com/
  • Alliances Abroad designs customized programs for individuals and groups who want to learn about other cultures by studying or working abroad Š www.alliancesabroad.com/
  • LEAPNow is a source for low-cost internships, volunteer positions, work exchanges, and experiential programs in 129 countries and the U.S. -- www.leapnow.org/
  • Project Adventure, Inc. has been a leader in the field of Adventure education since 1971 Š www.pa.org/
  • Outward Bound USA is a leader in wilderness challenge and adventure -- www.outwardbound.org/
  • Dynamy is a not-for-profit educational organization whose mission is to provide innovative experiential learning programs that promote personal and professional discovery -- www.dynamy.org/
  • Earthwatch Institute promotes sustainable conservation of our natural resources and cultural heritage by putting people in the field where they assist scientists in their field work -- www.earthwatch.org/
  • Global Volunteers assists people of diverse cultures to gain a non-tourist perspective -- www.globalvolunteers.org/
  • Global Quest offers 12-week programs in international settings for high school seniors and graduates -- http://gquest.org/
  • The Global Volunteer Network places people in community projects in China, Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, and Romania -- www.volunteer.org.nz/
  • Action Without Borders provides information on non-profit careers and volunteering -- www.idealist.com
  • The Student Conservation Association provides opportunities for high school volunteers, conservation internships, and a year-round leadership program -- www.thesca.org/
  • Cross Cultural Solutions is a not-for-profit international volunteer organization that operates volunteer programs in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Peru, Russia, Tanzania and Thailand -- www.crossculturalsolutions.com/
  • Volunteers for Peace offers international volunteer opportunities for young adults -- www.vfp.org

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