FAVORABLE COLLEGES

ARIZONA


  • Prescott College, Prescott Arizona. They are very amenable to experiential education and have done an excellent job incorporating it into their curricula.

COLORADO



ILLINOIS


  • Columbia College, Chicago, IL (deferral for 1 academic year) Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL (No deferral program for the 4 schools in the EIU system. You can put your application on hold for a semester by emailing admissions and saying you'd like to update the semester for which you've applied. However, if you've already been accepted, the decision does not necessarily carry over to the next semester.
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  • Illinois State University, Normal, IL (You must first be accepted by the university, then the individual school. No deferral program for the 6 schools in the ISU system. You can place your application on hold for a semester but if you've been accepted, the decision will not necessarily carry over (you are more likely to be accepted again if you've already been accepted the previous semester.
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  • Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL (Prior to gap year, each school requires your decision to attend, a $250 deposit, and a written description of your plan for your gap experience which is sent to the Dean of Admissions for approval.) The process is fairly formal. The school may contact you around December of the gap•year to confirm that you are still interested in attending the school upon your return.
    • College of Liberal Arts (Yes, deferral for academic year)
    • College of Fine Arts (Yes, deferral for academic year)
    • School of Nursing (Yes, deferral for academic year)

MARYLAND


  • Allegany College, Cumberland, MD (Open door admissions for anyone over 16 years. No specific Gap Year but students are not penalized for taking a gap year, then applying the following year.
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  • Capitol College, Laurel, MD (1year deferral unless they attended another college.)
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  • Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (One year deferral at all JHU colleges. Just complete form, no other requirements.)
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  • St John's College, Annapolis, MD (They encourage Gap Years and prefer 1 year deferrals as all classes start with same curriculum in fall. Because they do rolling admissions, students can apply one year ahead and get accepted now for later. Financial aid is reviewed annually, so as long as the budgets are the same, aid could also be deferred. They give no college scholarships.
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  • Towson University, Towson, MD (1 semester deferral only but scholarship not deferred.)
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  • University of Maryland, College Park, MD (Pay $400 enrollment fee, then contact Andrew Nolan, Undergraduate Admissions Counselor, anolan@umd.edu, for maximum 1 year deferral for special programs and financial aid.)

MASSACHUSETTS



MINNESOTA


  • Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN (Deferral is 1 academic year, scholarships and financial aid are held over)
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  • Carleton College, Northfield, MN (Deferral is 1-2 years but only on a case by case basis. Financial aid based on need on re-entry)
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  • Macalaster College, Saint Paul, MN (Deferral is 1 academic year, scholarships/financial aid hold over)
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  • St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN (Deferral for 1 academic year encouraged/preferred, scholarships hold over, reapply for financial aid on re-entry)
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  • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN (Deferral on a case by case basis)
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  • University of Minnesota, Crookston, MN (1 semester deferral, scholarships hold over on case by case basis)
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NEW JERSEY



NEW YORK



NORTH CAROLINA



OREGON



PENNSYLVANIA


  • Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA (There is no formal gap deferral but admissions director is a strong supporter and recommends that students write their intention of a Gap Year in the essay on the application form. Scholarships would be awarded case by case.)
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VERMONT



WASHINGTON


  • Eastern Washington University, Cheney
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  • Gonzaga University, Spokane, (Consult with Financial Aid office regarding transfer of scholarships and financial aid)
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  • Whitworth College, Spokane, (1 year deferral. Students submit their acceptance letter plus a letter to the Dean of Admissions stating their intent for a Gap Year. Financial Aid will transfer)
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  • Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, (2 year deferral, submit re-activation of application; small school with big global mission so while scholarships and aid are not held, Gap experience may make other aid programs available)
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  • Seattle University, Seattle, (no deferral but admissions indicated it was "almost certain" they would be admitted the following year. Talk to admissions counselor before going.
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  • University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, (1 year deferral with written statement and deposit to reserve space. Admissions Counselor wants to stay in touch with students during Gap Year for support and encouragement. Financial aid is generally held.
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  • Western Washington University, Bellingham, (1 year deferral on individual basis with written explanation of Gap project to Admissions Dept.)
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