What is a Gap Year Consultant?
Gap Year Consultants are professional advisors who work one-on-one with students to plan and personalize intentional gap year experiences. They concentrate specifically on gap year planning, and are very specialized in their gap year expertise.
Read more about the role of Gap Year Consultants on the GYA Blog.Â
Accredited Gap Year Consultants
Accredited Gap Year Consultants have gone through a rigorous review process in order to demonstrate proven core competencies in gap year planning including:
- Vetting and evaluation of opportunities as they relate to value, cost and quality
- Safety and risk management
- Integrity and ethics
- Ongoing mentorship and post-gap year transitions
- Best matches for students
Accredited Gap Year Consultants have substantial experience (advising a minimum of 125 students) in designing personalized gap year plans.
Founded in 1980, the Center for Interim Programs is the first independent gap year counseling organization in the United States. Holly Bull and Kate Warren offer over 50 combined years of experience as gap year counselors, program researchers, program directors, overseas volunteers, and gap year students. To date, Interim has worked with more than 8,900 gap year students (of all ages), and researched, visited, and/or vetted over 7,000 programs and placements worldwide. They are sought after as contributors to publications such as the New York Times and Newsweek, keynote speakers for the USA Gap Year Fairs, presenters for NAFSA, NACAC, HECA, IECA, GYA, webinars, and high schools and conferences nationwide. Their highly personal and comprehensive service matches the needs, goals, and budget of each individual with the most suitable and wide ranging opportunities available. Free 90-minute brainstorming session. $2800 for unlimited lifetime service per individual. Needs-based scholarships available each year.
Since 2015, Gap Year Solutions has helped students increase college success through transformational gap experiences. Founder Katherine Stievater was the first accredited Gap Year Counselor to focus on the importance of college readiness. She works with students across the U.S. to structure travel, internships, work, service, and other activities into a customized plan. Her approach focuses on student ownership and building life skills such as problem solving, independent living, and resilience. With four boys – including three who completed gap years and another who spent his junior year of high school in Spain – Katherine knows today’s teens and what they need to be ready for college. Families appreciate her deep understanding of how gap year planning relates to the college application process. Katherine is the only accredited Gap Year Counselor who is also a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. As an industry thought leader, she speaks regularly about gap years and has delivered hundreds of talks at high schools, conferences, and college fairs across the U.S. Katherine encourages students to embrace this unique opportunity to step off the traditional path, be authentic, and continue to discover themselves! Headquartered in Boston, MA. Inquire for pricing. Financial assistance available.
EnRoute Consulting envisions a world where high school graduates use a gap year to become more compassionate, driven and resourceful global citizens. Founder Julia Rogers provides gap year students with the guidance needed to maximize the potential of this transformative moment in life. Her personalized approach to gap year planning offers unparalleled support throughout the entire year – from initial planning to college/career transition after a year of life-changing experiences. Packages range from $1,350-$2,350.
Additional Gap Year Consultants
The following gap year consultants and independent educational consultants have not gone through GYA’s Accreditation process; however, they have experience guiding students with their gap year planning.Â
Emerge Educational Consulting offers a unique combination of experiences and guidance to assist emerging young adults in the planning, orchestration and implementation of their Gap Years, as well as through their transition to college and careers. Through a process of self-discovery that includes the Greenwood Career Assessment, Core Gift Discovery, international walking adventures, and college success mentoring for those currently enrolled, our young adult clients are able to experience growth and success that is truly indicative of who they are as unique individuals learning to interact with the world around them in healthy ways. Participants work with us on an ongoing basis through their decision-making process to select among a myriad of Gap Year opportunities, always keeping an eye on their college and career choices as well! As we say, “reflect, evolve, and move forward” with the confidence that Emerge Educational Consulting is with you each step of the way!
As a clinically trained therapist, John provides valuable consultation services for families of young adults who need therapeutic support in addition to the immersive experiences of traditional GAP programs. Conway Therapeutic Consulting will assist you in sorting through the overwhelming options so that you can make the best choice that meets your child’s mental health needs, as well as their intellectual, emotional, and social growth. An expert in young adult therapeutic placements, John is familiar with programs all over the country, as well as international options. Whether you are looking at a GAP option prior to college, a therapeutic intervention after a failed college attempt, or just a break to determine the right path, John is available to help.
Based in Traverse City, Michigan (for now), Joanna Lilley, NCC, of Lilley Consulting embodies wanderlust and desire for continued learning through culturally immersive experiences both nationally and internationally. Her practice consists of working with young adults who need some level of therapeutic or wellness support during their gap experience. Pricing and packages vary.
World Student Support offers gap year options for students between high school and college, or for those who wish to take a break from higher education. Like College Counseling and School Placement, finding gap year options requires personalized attention to meet the goals of each student in order to optimize the best outcomes. Sandy, owner of World Student Support, and her family lived abroad for many years and have a variety of travel experiences under their belts. These experiences prompted the desire for students to live beyond the classroom – allowing for experiential learning at its best, as well as tremendous self-reflection. • Golden, CO., packages vary from $1,500-2,500 depending on the length of time out. No additional cost if the family is part of College Counseling Package.
NEPA Career and College Counseling Associates is a private business. Students can receive individualized help (24 hours/day 7 days a week) with the career planning and college admissions process, financial aid, scholarship search, career exploration/decision making, athletic recruitment, auditioning at arts schools, creation of college portfolio, letters of recommendation, resumes,  essay preparation, college transition training, and gap year counseling.
Free to Roam Adventures embraces a student-driven approach to gap year planning by offering personalized support and mentoring for students to explore their own unique interests and future pathways during their gap time. Founding Director, Susan Staley has firsthand experience as a gap year student, gap year program leader, and director of study abroad in 25+ countries throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America & Australia and Oceania. Motivated students are empowered to explore gap year opportunities with the guidance of Free to Roam Adventures’ DIY Gap Year Toolkit — a series of educational videos and engaging workbook activities, followed up by a one-on-one planning session for feedback on their gap year plan. Gap Semester & Gap Year Consulting Packages are also available for in-depth personalized planning support.
Services range from $495 for the DIY Gap Year Toolkit to $885 / $1,475 for Semester / Year Consulting Packages. Flexible hourly planning $165 per hour, scholarships available.
Formerly a partner of Taylor the Gap, Stashia created GlobalLife Education Consulting to offer students and families guidance in preparing for the transition after high school whether it be here in the U.S. or abroad. She offers globally-minded services that make a difference in students’ lives with a genuine simple approach to help take the edge off making plans for what’s next. Whether students are interested in taking a gap year, a gap semester, or exploring summer options all of these global services can be found through GlobalLife Education Consulting. Located in Spokane, WA., GlobalLife Education Consulting serves students from all locations in the U.S. and abroad. Prices range from $800 – $3,000. Full and partial scholarships are available.
Our Mission: For students to take ownership of their Jewish Identity and to solidify Israel engagement through the Israel Gap Year experience across all denominational lines.
Our Belief: In the value of experiential learning during the gap year for academic direction, remaining true to Jewish values and fortifying young adults against the pressure to conform as they begin their college career.
Our Purpose: To serve as an objective and inclusive resource for families and educators to understand the breadth of Israel experiences available.
Our Programs: AIGYA Israel Gap Year Fair, counseling, workshops, and research.
The Intentional Gap’s main focus is working with students and families to find the program(s) that will feed the student’s interests and sense of adventure, be emotionally appropriate, and financially viable. The Intentional Gap believes that by empowering the individual to challenge themselves and broaden their minds, they can gain confidence through a journey of self-discovery. By giving to and learning from others we can engage our curiosity and develop a greater understanding and appreciation of others in and outside of our communities. The Intentional Gap offers three increasing levels of service for gappers with packages ranging from $500 to $2,000.
Claster Educational Services offers comprehensive gap year counseling backed by our experience running programs for hundreds of students in a dozen countries on five continents. We start by helping students articulate their goals for their “year on” and work with them to develop a plan that is well-aligned with those goals. We use proven strategies to help students get the most out of a gap year before, during, and after the experience.
Peter Sturtevant is a board certified coach and gap year counselor at The School Counseling Group in Washington, DC. Peter utilizes a coaching rather than a consulting framework in working with students and families approaching their gap opportunity. It’s important to understand each student’s unique developmental journey and to consider how the gap experience could enhance personal growth and help clarify or develop a stronger sense of purpose. Peter develops a strong rapport with his students and invites them to put themselves at the center of the planning process. Depending on the scope, rates range from hourly charges to retainers built around more comprehensive services which may address, for example, both gap and/or college planning and/or specialized programs with a therapeutic focus, if warranted.
Gap Year Explorer provides opportunities, guidance and insight for those students who elect to take a year off before or during their studies. We customize a student’s year to include personal interests and curiosities. Located in the DC area but assist family nationally. • Washington, DC. • Packages range from $295-$495.
Sarah Persha, MA, independent educational consultant and mental health specialist, works with teens and young adults and their families by providing educational options and guidance through the educational years and life transitions. Sarah assists teens and young adults as they explore the educational paths leading to a motivated and purposeful adulthood. As a Gap supporter, Sarah has gained years of experience to better serve students considering gap years in her pro-bono role with the Gap Year Association in Portland, Oregon, where she is also headquartered. She serves as Educational and Clinical Advisory Board Member, interfacing with experiential education programs worldwide and educating teams of global education leaders in current issues and trends relating to emerging young adults. SARAH LOVES TO TRAVEL AND LOVES TO SEE HOW TRAVEL TEACHES STUDENTS TO THINK AND FEEL DIFFERENTLY! She knows that the broadening and stretching of a GAP experience, if chosen well and wisely, results in the insight and empathy and motivation that are hallmarks of an exciting young life. Fees vary in package options.