Admission

Gap Semester and Year Experiences

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Each year, about 30 to 40 admitted students choose to delay enrollment for a semester or year. Whether you want to work, travel, volunteer, pursue an internship, participate in structured programs, or design your own experience, Colorado College supports gap experiences that promote growth, exploration, and purposeful learning.

How Gap Semester and Year Requests Work

You must first apply to and be admitted to Colorado College through the regular admission process. Gap year and gap semester (Winter Start) requests are considered only after admission.

Sometimes we meet students who have already graduated from high school and started a gap year before applying to Colorado College. This path can make sense, but it comes with additional challenges in the application process. Without easy access to a high school counselor or registrar, it can be difficult to arrange for transcripts and recommendations to be sent to colleges. If you decide to take this approach, speak with your high school counselor prior to graduation to make a plan for processing your college applications during your gap year.

To reserve your place in an entering class, submit your enrollment deposit by the appropriate deadline.

After enrolling, complete the Gap Year Request Form and provide a brief description of your plans. Gap experiences may include work, internships, travel, service, leadership programs, or independent projects. While many students participate in structured programs, you may also design your own experience based on your interests and goals. 

Do not enroll as a degree-seeking student at another college or university during your gap period. Transfer credit policies will apply to any academic coursework completed during a gap experience.

The Admission Office will review your request and notify you of its decision. Once approved, your place at Colorado College will be held for the semester or year specified in your request. Financial aid policies may vary depending on the type and timing of your deferral.

Throughout your gap period, we encourage you to stay engaged with Colorado College and update us on any significant changes to your plans. If you are on a gap year, we will ask you in February to reconfirm your commitment to enroll.

Before your deferred enrollment term begins, you will receive information about housing, course registration, New Student Orientation, billing, and next steps for joining the Colorado College community. 

 

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winter start

First-year students have the option to begin their CC experience in January rather than the fall as a Winter Start. Winter Starts spend their gap semester working, traveling, interning, or participating in a structured program — then arrive on campus in mid-January for Winter Start Orientation (WSO), the week before Block 5.

three students share a sled while a forth pushes them down a hill. All are laughing.

Winter Start Logistics

Winter Starts are placed into a double-block First-Year Program introductory course (CC100/CC120) during Blocks 5 and 6, designed to support the academic transition to the Block Plan. An initial course schedule for Blocks 7 and 8 is assigned based on major interests indicated in the admission application; Winter Start advisors in the Advising Hub reach out in early December to review and adjust those later-block courses. Transfer students work directly with the Advising Hub's transfer advisor to select courses based on their academic history and goals.

Many Winter Starts graduate in May with their class by earning additional credits through CC's summer block offerings, Half Blocks, AP/IB exam scores, or a for-credit gap semester program. Others complete a full four years on campus and finish in December.

Before arriving, Winter Starts complete a housing preference questionnaire. Room assignments are based on mid-year availability in CC's large residence halls, which is where CC strongly recommends first-year students begin their on-campus experience. Room and roommate assignments are shared when the college reopens after Winter Break, just before WSO begins.

As you plan your time before January, consider your academic goals, your personal goals, and any credit transfer needs—particularly in relation to AP or IB credits you may already be bringing to CC. All CC students also receive one free Wild Card block of Summer Session tuition and Half-Block opportunities to earn credits at no additional charge every January.

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Gap Resources and Programs

Gap experiences look different for every student. Some students create an adventure of their own design–traveling independently or with friends or family, spending time volunteering on a farm or with a volunteer organization (sometimes in exchange for meals and housing), interning in a career field that interests them, or splitting up their year by working or volunteering for half of the time and embarking on an adventure for the other.

Others plan their time with the help of an organization experienced in creating safe and memorable gap semesters and years. These structured programs offer a supportive environment and a built-in community.

At Colorado College, we don't have a preference for whether you spend your gap time in a formal program or pursuing an adventure of your own design, but we do want to offer resources to help you think through your plans. The Gap Year Association website is an excellent place to start. Offering a wealth of guidance and practical tools, it facilitates informed decision-making and effective planning. In addition to their site, below you'll find organizations that some of our students have worked with in the past. Perhaps one of them will be a good fit for you.

For-Credit Programs

Through the Direct Transfer Admissions Pathway with Verto Education, Colorado College offers you the opportunity to begin your college journey abroad while earning transferable academic credits.

If you participate in Verto—regardless of your admission status with Colorado College—you can spend up to three semesters studying abroad at one of Verto’s five global locations. Those who meet eligibility requirements may earn guaranteed transfer admission at Colorado College following their Verto experience.

Verto currently offers programs in the following cities:

  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Prague, Czech Republic
  • London, England
  • Florence, Italy
  • Seville, Spain

For students seeking to begin credit-bearing coursework in an international setting, this fully accredited program—offered through Verto’s academic provider, the University of New Haven—is an excellent option for a global first-year experience.

The School for International Training (SIT) out of Brattleboro, VT offers experiential semesters abroad that consistently rank among the most popular study abroad experiences for CC students. Through small cohorts, thoughtfully crafted field programs, and a globe-spanning foundation for your college education, SIT First Year students become part of a close community abroad, build intercultural relationships, and develop critical perspectives and analytical skills as they explore together. SIT First Year semesters are offered in:
  • Jordan: Identity & Human Resilience (Fall)
  • Panama: Climate & Environment (Fall)
  • South Africa: Global Health & Well-Being (Fall)
  • Argentina: Global Health & Well-Being (Spring)
  • Portugal: Climate & Environment (Spring)
  • Samoa: Identity & Human Resilience (Spring)
Some of the coursework offered on these SIT programs is designed for practical career and college-life adjustment rather than a traditional liberal arts curriculum. As a result, some credits may not transfer to CC. If you plan to participate in one of these programs, please contact the CC Global Education office to review credit transferability for your specific program.

CET Academic Programs is a study abroad organization that has been developing and delivering innovative educational programs abroad since 1982. Because CET is also an approved partner for Colorado College's undergraduate study abroad, it offers seamless alignment for your global education. Through CET, you can choose language-intensive semester programs in six dynamic locations:
  • Beijing, China
  • Shanghai, China
  • Siena, Italy
  • Osaka, Japan
  • Amman, Jordan
  • Taipei, Taiwan

CIEE has been providing international study abroad exchange programs since 1947, and it is an approved partner program for CC's undergraduate study abroad. In this gap program, you may choose from seven locations around the world, featuring 12-week programs designed specifically for students transitioning between high school and college. Each location yields 12 to 13 U.S. semester credits transcripted by the CIEE School of Record, Dean College, which equals 3.00 to 3.25 CC block units.

Programs are offered in:

  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Berlin, Germany
  • Kyoto, Japan
  • London, England
  • Monteverde, Costa Rica
  • Rome, Italy
  • Sydney, Australia

On Sea Semester, students spend a semester learning to sail a tall ship, being part of a small and rigorous academic community, doing scientific and cultural research, and developing independence out on the open ocean in the waters of New Zealand and beyond. SEA offers specific Gap Year voyages with both credit and non-credit options, and it doesn't require that you know how to sail before you begin the semester. While the academic focus varies, each program offers an interconnected suite of courses designed to explore a specific ocean-related theme using a cross-disciplinary approach. Leadership and personal growth outcomes are tremendous through this adventure, and most of the SEA courses are transferable back to CC.

School for Field Studies is a leader in environmental field study semester programs, offering programs in Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Italy, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and Turks & Caicos Islands. A full semester of credit can be earned on SFS programs. Gap students are welcome to apply, but must be at least 18 years old and have completed one college-level course in ecology, biology, environmental science/studies, or a related field as determined by SFS. Gap students may fulfill this prerequisite by:

  • achieving a 4 or a 5 on the AP environmental science or AP bio exam OR
  • taking a course at a local college over the summer and submitting a transcript showing at least a C in the course before entering the SFS program.

The College Year in Athens program, one of the regular CC study abroad partner programs, will consider admission for gap students on a case-by-case basis. CYA students can earn credit in academic areas such as Classics, Art History, Archaeology, Economics & Business, Politics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Literature, Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Modern & Ancient Greek language, and Urban Planning & Sustainability. Students can choose a homestay (highly recommended) or an apartment shared with other CYA students in the heart of Athens' Pangrati neighborhood, just a short walk from the CYA campus.

The American University program is specifically designed for gap students. It allows students to access the top-notch Washington Semester Program network of opportunities, take seminars from American University faculty as well as optional elective courses, and earn 12 to 15 regular semester credits. Choose from a variety of courses; see the program website for more information.

The Hebrew University First Year Abroad program in Jerusalem offers students an immersive academic and cultural experience. Students spend the year studying at the university's Rothberg International School, taking courses in English while exploring Israeli culture, history, and society. The program includes Hebrew language instruction, vibrant campus life, and opportunities to engage with Jerusalem's diverse communities, preparing students for future academic success and global citizenship.

EF Foundation programs offer the excitement of a gap and the education of a college semester—these credit-earning adventures allow students to go abroad while staying on track. While taking classes at EF’s Study Center and at a prestigious university, you’ll experience local culture, explore sites and cities, and develop the tools to thrive in college and beyond. Students can choose to spend a semester with EF living and learning in Munich, Barcelona, Rome, Seoul, and Latin America.

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Credit-Optional Programs

We believe that learning extends beyond the classroom, and that a well-designed, educational gap-year can help students find and pursue their passions. Our partnership with Tilting Futures engages students in the Take Action Lab, an immersive learning program where students learn how to create a meaningful impact on human rights issues during a semester in South Africa. Students expand their global perspective and sense of purpose through a research-backed curriculum, cultural immersion experiences, and apprenticeships with organizations advancing human rights issues.

The Take Action Lab program offers an option to enroll and receive academic credit for one course, "Systems and Societies" (4 semester credits, which equals one CC unit). Colorado College will accept this course for one unit of credit; please make sure to officially opt in for the credit-bearing option and have your final transcript sent to CC upon completion of the program (transcripts are issued by Minerva Schools at KGI).

If you are interested in outdoor leadership, NOLS offers worldwide semester programs in East Africa, India, New Zealand, Patagonia, Alaska, Mexico, and in multiple locations and ecosystems across the continental United States. Partial academic credit may be possible at CC for some NOLS courses; transferable coursework offered by NOLS includes: their Environmental Studies (ENVST3011) courses and/or the Cultural Studies (PRT3046/5046) courses (4 semester credits = 1 CC unit). Additionally, Colorado College will also grant a maximum 0.5 units of credit for completion of the NOLS Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course, consistent with what we offer here at CC. CC will not award transfer credit for courses such as Group Leadership Techniques, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness Skills Practicum, Expedition Planning, or Risk Assessment/Management, as these are not liberal arts in nature. Students must specifically request that the academic credit for transferable courses be issued through a transcript from the accredited University of Utah or Western Colorado University partnerships that NOLS has in place.

The gap programs offered through Where There Be Dragons are designed to immerse students deeply in communities and everyday life. They are rugged and off-the-beaten-path, emphasizing trekking, homestays, and grassroots explorations of language, arts, religion, and environmental and development issues. These 5 to 10-week programs are offered in Indonesia, South America (Andes & Amazon), Nepal, Southeast Asia, Guatemala & Costa Rica, Morocco & Spain, Senegal, China, and Japan. Dragons also offers shorter summer programs that could bookend a gap year. Optional credit may be transferable to CC through the University of Montana.

HMI gap semesters are designed to be a unique and refreshing break from our busy world, an uninterrupted journey of adventure, self-discovery, and growth. With rock climbing and wilderness travel focused programs in Patagonia and the American West, students spend three months traveling to some of the world's wildest places, gain independence as outdoor adventurers, and give back by getting their hands dirty helping with real-world conservation projects. One class from HMI is transferable to CC for credit: Land Conservation Ethics (3 semester credits = 0.75 units at CC). If you participate in a semester where this course is offered and wish to transfer this class, you must request the transcript from Western Colorado University.

Pacific Discovery offers experiential gap year and semester programs that combine travel, service learning, outdoor adventure, personal growth, and cultural immersion. Their programs take place in diverse destinations worldwide, including Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Participants engage in meaningful service projects, learn practical skills, explore environmental and social issues, and build connections with local communities—all while adventuring through breathtaking landscapes. These programs are an excellent opportunity for students to develop independence, leadership, and a global perspective with the option to earn college credit.

EF Gap Years and Semesters combine travel, cultural immersion, service learning, language study, and career development. Participants have the opportunity to choose a single destination or combine multiple destinations across Europe, Asia, and Australia, tailoring their experience to include internships, volunteer projects, and skill-building opportunities. These programs provide a balance of structured support and independence, allowing students to explore new cultures, develop global perspectives, and gain valuable life and career skills. Participants have the option to earn up to six hours of college credit per EF semester.

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Non-Credit Programs

Outward Bound, founded by educator Kurt Hahn, is a non-profit educational organization and expedition school that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through challenging learning expeditions that inspire self-discovery, both in and out of the classroom. Students explore unfamiliar settings as a way to experience adventure and challenge to discover that they can do more than they thought possible. These Outward Bound 30-day to 85-day courses are opportunities to gain real wilderness skills and develop life skills in decision-making, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork.

Alzar Gap's signature program, Patagonia Exchange, takes recent high school graduates on a transformative journey from September to December, exploring some of the most breathtaking and fascinating places in South America. With nearly two decades of experience in leadership development, Alzar Gap has designed this program to focus entirely on experiential learning, creating unforgettable opportunities for growth, discovery, and adventure. If you are seeking something more from your traditional university experience and are excited to learn more about yourself, gain a broader world view, and make authentic connections with diverse people in wild and untamed parts of the world, then Alzar Gap could be a good next step.

Some students choose to spend all or part of their gap year working or volunteering through programs like Workaway, WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), or AmeriCorps. These opportunities offer immersive, hands-on experiences, whether it's volunteering on an organic farm, helping with community projects, or assisting with other local initiatives. These experiences can be in exchange for room and board, pay, or both, depending on the program. Unlike structured gap programs, these programs require students to take the lead in planning and coordinating their experiences. This means researching options, connecting with hosts, and handling logistics like travel and safety considerations. For students who are independent, resourceful, and eager to design their own path, these programs can be incredibly rewarding, offering unique chances to learn, grow, and contribute in meaningful ways.

Spend a semester living and working at the YMCA of the Rockies family camp and conference center bordering Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, CO. The Elevate Gap Program combines paid work experience, mentorship, leadership training, and outdoor adventure, making it an affordable way to gain real-world experience, strengthen your resume, immerse yourself in the outdoors, and grow as a leader before college.

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Additional Considerations

There are many options listed above that have worked well for previous CC gap students, but if they aren't what you're looking for, there are many other high quality options to consider, and the Gap Year Association is a good place to continue your search.

If you choose to take part in a credit-bearing gap year or gap semester program before you join us, it is important to identify whether the program you have chosen to participate in meets Colorado College guidelines for transfer credit. Remember that 4 U.S. semester credits = 1 block or unit of credit at CC.

Please familiarize yourself with the Colorado College Registrar Office's overall guide to transferring credits in to Colorado College. To be eligible for credit transfer into Colorado College, your gap year program must specifically do two things:

  • Be offered by an accredited, degree-granting institution of higher post-secondary education, or an educational organization (often these educational organizations use an accredited "school of record" to issue their transcripts). They must be able to issue you an accredited transcript upon completion of your program; Colorado College cannot accept certificates, nor issue Colorado College credit, for hours spent learning through a non-accredited organization.
  • Offer coursework that is liberal arts in nature. This means, broadly speaking, it should fall under a discipline/academic field offered here at Colorado College.

In addition to these two requirements above for yielding transferable credit, we also encourage you to look for a program that aligns with the educational study abroad philosophies that we use when selecting our partner programs:

  • The program abroad offers a curriculum that reflects or utilizes the resources of the area to a considerable degree, and provides a cross-cultural experience, with significant opportunities to interact the host culture.
  • The program provides significant opportunities to advance knowledge of a foreign language if the program is based in a non-English speaking country.
  • The program will provide robust health and safety support, including major emergency/hospitalization coverage, emergency insurance & coordinated evacuation coverage if needed.

If you have questions about the specific program you are considering, or to learn more about if the courses will be transferable to Colorado College, we invite you to contact our Center for Global Education who will coordinate with the Registrar at Colorado College to review the courses you hope to take. To start a conversation, please email the program's website link and any specific course details you have to:

Heather Powell Browne, Associate Director
Center for Global Education & Field Study
(719) 389-6918
hpb@coloradocollege.edu

Need-based awards

Students awarded need-based financial aid at CC and then approved for a gap year must re-apply for financial aid during their gap year, including completing and submitting the FAFSA, the CSS Profile, and uploading relevant tax documents. CC financial aid awards cannot be used during a student's gap semester or year. Learn more about need-based financial aid at CC.

Merit-based awards

Merit aid awarded by CC cannot be used during a gap year or semester. In most cases, students awarded a Colorado College merit-based scholarship will have this merit-based award reinstated upon their enrollment at CC. We encourage you to inquire about your specific merit award by writing to the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@coloradocollege.edu.

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Report an issue - Last updated: 07/07/2026