The Gap-Year Experience is a set of programs designed to support the success of students who have taken time off after high school to pursue other activities before attending WashU. Through the Gap-Year Experience, students are encouraged to leverage the experiences of and lessons learned from their gap year to further enhance their academic journey.
These programs and events are planned by the office of Student Transitions & Family Programs (STFP) and implemented by Washington University Student Associates (WUSAs) who have taken a gap year.
Gap Year Reception
Hosted prior to the first day of classes, new gap-year students and their families are invited to this special event to hear from WashU’s senior leaders, connect and share experiences with other gap-year students, and enjoy light refreshments. Details about this event are included in Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome publications.
1:1 conversations
Gap-year WUSAs reach out to gap-year students and offer to meet on a 1:1 basis to chat and grab coffee, tea, soda, or other beverages. During conversation, they discuss gap-year students’ experiences, offer coaching, and devise action plans and strategies for connecting with classmates and university life.
Sign up to meet with a gap-year WUSA and grab a drink on us!
Study sessions
Need to study for an exam or work on an assignment? Once a month in the fall, join other gap-year students to study and enjoy free food. Bring your books, devices, and other equipment and join us for as long or as little as you like.
Career exploration and development
Staff from the Center for Career Engagement offer special events to gap-year students to help them learn about available resources and opportunities, explore career options, and leverage their gap-year experience in the job search and application process.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Staff from the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship offer special events to gap-year students to help them create, innovate, and launch solutions to meet local needs and solve global problems. Events such as IdeaBounce® allow students to share ideas, receive feedback, and make connections.