You are here: Â鶹ÊÓƵ School of Public Affairs Gap Year Key Dates and FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The most successful students in the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Gap program are:

  • Bound for the four-year school of their choice – including Â鶹ÊÓƵ
  • Academically ready to succeed in college-level courses
  • Flexible and organized
  • Communicative with older adults

We do not have a set number of students we accept each semester. We know the kind of student who is going to be successful in the program and we want to accept them. We accept applications on a rolling basis – up to the application deadline date for the program/semester to which you are applying.

The Gap Program professors are Â鶹ÊÓƵ faculty.

Please see Fall and Spring Programs for seminar topic details.

Students can enroll in an Â鶹ÊÓƵ elective course in addition to their Gap coursework. Your academic advisor will review course selections during the registration process to ensure that electives do not conflict with your Gap course or internship schedule.

** Please note that enrolling in an optional Â鶹ÊÓƵ elective will impact student tuition. See the Tuition and Costs page for more details. **

Â鶹ÊÓƵ Gap administrators provide you with the counseling, tools, and encouragement to find a great DC internship. Creating a resume and cover letter, developing interview skills, and searching for internships are key skills you will develop through this experience.

Prior to entering the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Gap Program, you will work with the Gap Program team to fine-tune your resume and cover letter and to start your search.Ìý

You will have access to our Internship Web, a database with hundreds of internship opening and thousands of internships leads from employers who know Â鶹ÊÓƵ Gap program students. There are internship openings and leads available in areas of interest ranging from politics and justice, communications, international affairs, psychology, and arts & sciences.

The internship experience allows you to build your professional skillset, gain real-world experience, and start making professional contacts through the internship and mentored field practicum class. Internships are available in areas of interest ranging from politics and justice, communications, international affairs, psychology, and arts & sciences.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ Gap Program students are enrolled in two classes each semester for a total of 7 undergraduate credits. Students have the option of enrolling in an additional 3-credit Â鶹ÊÓƵ elective course for a total of 10 undergraduate credits.

If you want or plan to use these credits to transfer to another university, the decision credits rests with the university you are joining after the Gap Program. We STRONGLY encourage you to contact the registrar’s office at your school to determine the transferability.

Yes.ÌýGap students will receive a transcript for their work (typically 7 credit hours) upon completion of the program.Ìý

Yes. Gap students are non-degree seeking students at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and have access to Â鶹ÊÓƵ facilities and activities. These include computer labs, library, fitness centers, resource centers, clubs, speakers, campus events, etc.

Gap students, like other resident students, are not allowed to bring cars.

Gap students are required to live on the Â鶹ÊÓƵ campus in student housing.Ìý

All students living on-campus are required to have a meal plan. Students living off-campus are not required to have a meal plan. View list of meal plan options.

D.C. law states that all students must have health insurance - through their parents or through Â鶹ÊÓƵ. If a student has insurance by way of their parent’s plan, they can waive Â鶹ÊÓƵ Health Insurance through their portal.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ Gap students have non-degree seeking student status, therefore financial aid is not available. Many students secure private student loans, including non-degree educational loans, to pay for the Gap Program. In addition, students may also choose to participate in the American Payment Plan (APP), which breaks tuition into monthly payments.