Students applying to be members of Elon's Class of 2018 are urged to consider applying to become part of the university's innovative Gap Semester Program.
Students applying to be members of Elon’s Class of 2018 are urged to consider applying to become part of the university’s innovative Gap Semester Program, a highly experiential transition program designed for a cohort of 15 first-year students.
Members of this year’s Gap program recently arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica, to begin the third portion of the program. The Gap Semester begins with a 25-day wilderness expedition course through the National Outdoor Leadership School. The cohort, along with professional staff coordinator Steve Morrison, then travels across the country engaging in service-learning in four different states, finishing with a six-week study abroad in Costa Rica. During their study abroad, each member of the Gap cohort stays with a family in San Jose. Homestay experiences allow students full immersion in the Spanish language as well as the authentic local culture. Additionally while in Costa Rica, the Gap students supplement their studies with excursions to national parks, nature conservatories, and historic landmarks. Shortly after a Thanksgiving meal on the beach, the group returns home for winter break and returns to campus to begin classes for Winter Term.
The Office of Admissions is gearing up to start the application process for students applying for the fall 2014 semester. Prospective students may apply using the first-year student application and selecting the Gap Semester Program option. Applicants can elect to apply through the binding Early Decision deadline, or under the non-binding Regular Deadline option. Early Decision applications are due Nov. 1, with a decision released on Dec. 1. Regular Deadline applications are due by Jan. 10, with an admissions decision being released on March 15.
As the admissions deadlines approach, interested high school seniors can begin the application process through the Apply Now webpage. On the First-Year Application, simply select the corresponding deadline for Early Decision Gap Semester or Regular Deadline Gap Semester. For more information regarding the Gap Semester Program or the admissions process, please visit our website or contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@elon.edu.