Thinking about a GAP year

Here is an excellent article from Inside Higher Ed on the complexities of thinking about a GAP year because of COVID 19 and a worry that colleges will be online in the fall.

 Things to consider: 

- You must be approved to take a GAP year. 

- What will students be approved to do for their GAP year if COVID 19 prevents lots of things from happening? 

- Online internships or isolated domestic experiences might be your best GAP options this year. 

- Students at more selective institutions might have an easier time getting approved for a GAP year and extended time to make a decision. 

- Most colleges will not allow you to take many courses, if any, elsewhere during a GAP year. 

- Students less concerned about "getting in" to their school again might be more inclined to not commit to any school and just decide on a community college closer to home for a year and then transfer. 

- Currently, the US is not processing any visas for International Students, and it could possibly be until September before they do. 

- Many colleges can not afford to let many students take a GAP year, and they might limit the number of students they give permission to.

Summer thoughts for our students

I truly feel for our college students in the times of COVID 19. Most of them went from living on their own with their best friends to living at home again with their families. That is one thing but then put on top of it not leaving their homes, practically ever, taking online classes, with for many minimal directions, and then the colossal worry that is a global pandemic. It is hard enough for us parents to understand, and we have had many more years of experience in learning to cope with life’s challenges. Everyone is worried about how our young people are coping and also concerned about getting them active and thinking about the future. I keep hearing from friends how their children have turned into vampires, only awake at night. It’s funny, but it is not.
What happens once classes are over in the spring? Most of our children’s summer plans have been canceled. What are these young people going to do? What happened to high school summer programs and college internships? Now is when we have to get creative. It does not matter if your child is in high school or college; people will want to know what they did during this time. Colleges will look at high school students and say is this someone I want on our campus? Did your child sit home watching Netflix all summer eating Ben and Jerry’s, or did they do something creative and productive? Future employers are going to ask the same question of your college students. Some of you will ask why can’t we just let them be? You can, but I genuinely feel if your child spends some of their time doing something helpful, they will serve their future better and feel better in the present. This is a very hard time, and what each of us does determines how hard it will be. So what are some things they can do?
I am working with one student who is a beautiful singer. She and others have been singing outside of nursing homes. I am sure it does as much for their psyche as it does for the seniors who gather at their windows to see and hear those beautiful, healthy young people. I heard another story of a California friend’s high school student whose robotics club used their 3D printers to create shields as PPE for their local health care workers. That is true genius and an amazing use of time. Parents, please help your child think of their skill set and what they can do to be both productive and valuable right now. I guarantee it will not only help others but also make them and you feel a lot better. 

SUMMER PROGRAM/INTERNSHIP INFO FOR COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 

7 Tips to Transform a Cancelled Summer Internship due to Coronavirus into a Career-Building Opportunity Article in Thrive Global By Meghan Pasricha, Co-Founder & CEO at Global Youth H.E.L.P. Inc.

 What to Do Now That Your Summer Internship is Cancelled: Article from Forbes listing online summer options for students to think about.

Opportunities for Volunteerism from Home: List of virtual volunteer opportunities for students to consider.

iXperience: Innovative summer programs that teach in-demand skills blended with internship experience, online or abroad.

Internship Status for 2020: Crowd-sourced list of the hiring/internship status for hundreds of national and global companies.

Unemployment Fears: A COVID-19 Job Search Webinar for 20-Somethings: April 28th  webinar providing tangible job-search strategies for young adults furloughed/recently notified of a job loss brought about by COVID 19.

Coronavirus is upending summer internships — how to make your mark if your internship is now virtual Article from Marketwatch on what to do when your summer internship is canceled. It will come down to creativity 

50 Awesome Extracurricular Activities You Can Do At Home A blog post from College Vine for high school students.

Also, please check out our new website page of higher education resources during COVID 19. 

What Colleges are thinking about opening up in the fall.

Interesting OP ED in the NY Times today about the need for students to return to college and un,iversities this fall. I do not know what others are hearing, but I have heard everything from schools shutting down until January, to classes online, to both classes online and in person, to schools being open but not allowing any of their students to study abroad, to most schools still in a holding pattern.

Here is a great thread from Twitter that complies statements from different colleges on what they are thinking for the fall.

It is a crazy world right now. What do you want your college to do in the fall?